Managing in Complex Environments (MCE) focused on the introductory ideas and concepts of business and trade. The course presented topics in marketing, commodity chain management, accounting, finance and international business management. The course presented these concepts from lenses of the business world and capitalism. The course’s core focus was to instruct future managers and business professionals on the best practices of the business world.

I enjoyed the class as it provided a strong foundation for my future business classes. After taking future courses in economics and global studies, I reflect on the strong focus on profit creation and efficient product management in relation to understanding the social and economic implications of international trade and business relations, in general.

Although it helped my success in the business curriculum, it caused me to question the ethical dilemmas in focusing on only profits and not considering the community and social effects from capitalism and supply chain management, in general. The class provided a great contrast for some of my other classes that presented alternative methods of economic distribution and trade.

Serving Learning Organizations is a course offered as part of the Certificate Program in Leadership & Ethics (CPLE) offered by the University’s College of Business Administration. The course focused on working in student formed consulting groups to provide socially conscious solutions for real-world partners. During the duration of the course, I collaborated with a team of 5 business students to create innovative and socially sound solutions.

My team and I had the opportunity to work with Auberle, a local Pittsburgh non-profit, to recommend the creation of service portal to connect Business students and relevant student organizations with service leadership opportunities. Our group conducted market research analyzing the best practices of other local non-profits and collaborated with business student organizations to create key deliverables for the potential service partnership between the College of Business Administration and Auberle.

This course provided me with an experience to work in a high impact team project that impacted the community. The class also focused on concepts in corporate social responsibility and service leadership when looking at the local, national and global economic landscape. Here is the presentation deliverable that was prepared for both the College of Business Administration and Auberle: Auberle Presentation

Latin American Economic Development, as the name would suggest, focused on the economic development, history and policies of Latin America. The course covered a broad range of economic concepts such as economic modeling and data analysis in labor, trade and inequality.

I was very interested in understanding the economic dimensions of the Latin American region due to my Latinx background. I learned in-depth economic cases for multiple countries and political situations. The course complemented my other Global Studies classes as it provided a more focused perspective to global economics.

From this class, I had the opportunity to focus on the economic situation of Puerto Rico, specifically before and after Hurricane Maria hit the island. I prepared an opinion piece utilizing external research focused on Puerto Rico. It was relevant and educational, as I was able to relate the economic implications to the experience that my own family had when they were hit by the hurricane. Here is the piece that was published on Panoramas: https://panoramas.secure.pitt.edu/opinion-and-interviews/puerto-rico-rise-and-drastic-decline-island’s-economic-situation

International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior focused on topics in organizational and management strategies in a global context with diverse populations. The course covered topics like implicit bias, international teaming and working with international markets. The course utilized business cases and real-world examples to provide an impactful approach to dealing with global populations.

As part of the class, we would reflect on our experiences with international teams. It also provided commentary to the business impact of the media’s depiction of international issues and diverse populations.

The course was interesting as it combined psychology and business principles with a global lens. The course complemented my other Global studies courses, as it provided a social and real-world perspective to global economic concepts like multinational corporate teams and international economic development.