Final Project Overview
Global Option has undoubtably enhanced my undergraduate experience. Some activities that I was involved in were being a Global Ambassador within the Office of Global Business, serving as Vice President of Corporate Relations and Special Events for the Undergraduate Finance Association, and participating in the Global Alumni Mentor Program. Of these activities, one that was pivotal in my undergraduate career was my role as a Global Ambassador. I, along with my peers, work to oversee global programs for students traveling to each corner of the world, participating in internships or consulting work abroad. My role is to help maintain relationships with the corporate and non-profit organizations that students will be working with and ensure that these programs are running smoothly. Specifically, my team helps run the following programs:
- Fisher Global Internships (Virtual): Students take part in a flexible online internship tailored to their interests with a global firm.
- Fisher Global Internships (Summer or Semester): Students intern at a firm in a strategic global business location to enhance their global competencies.
- Fisher Global Consulting (Corporate or Non-Profit): Students solve real world business problems working with an organization abroad.
- European Innovation Academy: Students experience creating a start up in teams of students from around the world.
As a part of this role, I am also a Teaching Assistant who educates students to understanding the transition in working in-country or virtually via cultural coursework and how to conduct business in a global setting.
Final Project Reflection
Reflecting on my time as a Global Ambassador, I am beyond appreciative that I took the interview to later be hired into this role. After 2 years working within this office, my peers and my work have ignited my passion for working with a multinational company in a global setting after college. I am lucky to have worked amongst a team that is passionate about students having international experiences.
My role as a Global Ambassador did not match previous students experiences as a Global Ambassador. When I joined the team as a third-year, for the prior 2 years of my undergrad, this office had sent students from Australia to Ghana to Nepal to Spain. Entering my role, neither I nor did any of my peers anticipate the study abroad industry (as well as many others), would shut down due to a pandemic that ravaged every corner of the world.
Prior to OSU shutting down all in-person university activities in mid-March of 2020, including travel, my team worked tirelessly to amass the largest number of students to be participating in our study abroad programs. We had multiple information sessions and a greater marketing footprint from prior years to spread the word about these programs. We were proud of our accomplishments and the fact that we were a part of giving students the opportunity to thrive amongst global cultures while gaining work experience.
Unfortunately, I, among students were not able to participate in the programs that we had invested months of our time and money into. Once study abroad programs officially were canceled, it was up to my office to start refunding students and offer students the chance to study abroad next year if they were able. Over the summer of 2020, my office created a revolutionary idea that would soon become a staple in many university study abroad programs. That summer, my office introduced virtual internships programs located in South America. Unsure of the experience that students would get from working virtually, only a few students moved the funds that were supposed to be for their in-person experience to a virtual experience. But it paid off. Students raved about their virtual experience, feeling lucky to have had work in a time where many companies were canceling their internship programs. After hearing their remarks, my office got to work offering virtual internships across the world, some in countries that our office previously had not sent students to before. We were able to turn an unfavorable situation into something that students found value in.
Three major takeaways from my role as a global ambassador are as follows:
- In times of uncertainty, it is important to work with a team that is willing take adversity head on.
- Although I was unable to participate in a study abroad program, I have seen how these programs create incredible experiences for undergraduates.
- It was a great experience working in a role that gave students the opportunity to study abroad and grow their skills as a business professional.
Our office has had many challenges over the past year, but by offering virtual programs, we have still given students the opportunity to have meaningful international work experiences. I am proud to have been a part of a team that thrives during uncertainty.
Global Option Final Reflection/Accomplishments
I chose to take part in Global Option to become a globally competent individual who is not only ready to join the workforce but respects and appreciates diverse schools of thought. I can easily say that I have accomplished what I had set out to do when joining this program. This program was a way for me to achieve both my professional and academic goals. From my passion of learning languages to taking international business courses to meeting global alumni, this experience has crafted a well-rounded individual who understands the value of having a globally focused education.
A big takeaway from this program is that I have met so many incredible people. Without having gone through Global Option, I never would have met people that are passionate about the same things that I am. Through the courses that I took to complete my French minor to my courses in business with an international focus, I am lucky to have been educated amongst students that share my interests. Specifically, my French class with Professor Marx-Scouras was enlightening in a sense that I did not know that a French class could be taught in the way she taught it. She was a lively professor who engaged with her students and she made me a more confident French speaker. I have made lasting friendships with students in this class and French speakers abroad that I will maintain post undergrad. Most notably, I am glad to have maintained a 2-year friendship with a pen pal I was connected to who lives in France. Through our relationship, I have undoubtedly improved my colloquial French skills and hope to meet her when I travel to that region. Although this class was taught over Zoom, Chad Zipfel’s International Finance class was one of my most enjoyable global business classes. Like Professor Marx-Scouras’ class, this class was lively and discussion-based, and applicable to real world scenarios.
There is a theme that carries between my favorite classes that I have taken as an undergraduate. When your professor is passionate about what they teach, it shows in their students. It has been rewarding to have been taught amongst a faculty that have these values. It is for this reason that I also chose to be a part of the Honors Finance Program. In this selective program, I was a part of a cohort of highly motivated and diverse students who strove to receive a high-quality education from high-quality faculty. Through this program in conjunction with Global Business I have sharpened my abilities in a breadth of areas that would not been achieved without these 2 programs. In the Honors Finance Program, I was connected to alumni in all major industries to get a sense of what industry I would like to work in after college. I was also connected to a mentor that worked at the firm that I ended up accepting an offer from. This goes to show that it is always worth meeting people in industries and careers that you are passionate about pursuing. You never know what opportunities can lead to where, and I encourage you to do the same.
Beyond experiences within the classroom, I am fortunate to have been involved in multiple extracurriculars. My time being Captain of the Buckeye Club Tennis Team was rewarding since I was on a team of students that were from across the globe. It was nice to interact amongst students outside of the classroom in an activity that we were all passionate about. I was also a part of French Club where I got to engage with students outside of the classroom in conversation. Learning a language in a classroom is one thing but practicing conversing amongst peers is the only way to get better and gain confidence in this skill. I am glad to have been a part of this club and have met people who improved my conversational French skills. I was also a part of the Undergraduate Finance Association (UFA) as a Vice President of Corporate Relations and Special Events. When I joined UFA as a second-year, I was surprised by how few females there were. It was approximately a one to fifteen, female to male ratio. As I became involved in the organization, I knew that it was my priority to foster an environment where women would be comfortable and see the value of joining. My team and I created events like the Alumni Panel with female professionals to give women in the club role models so they could see themselves in those positions. Finally, I was a Global Ambassador within the Office of Global Business. In this role, I aided in overseeing international internships and consulting projects for students with organizations across the world. Since the pandemic canceled study abroad programs, my office quickly shifted to offering virtual opportunities. I am glad that I was part of a team that can make a profound difference in students’ lives by enhancing their education with an international experience.
After completion of my undergraduate studies, I am happy to be joining Deloitte’s consulting unit in Chicago, IL. Being it is a global firm that bids on projects around the world, I am excited to apply my studies in Finance and French with my international perspective having completed Global Option.