Do what you love, but make sure you are helping people in the process. This sentiment has been the core philosophy behind all of my previous jobs and internships. From my management consulting internship with Ernst & Young and to support the success of other from three years as a resident assistant with Pitt Residence Life, My professional experience showcases my desire to make an impact. My experience with Global Studies has enhanced my understanding of how my career aligns with my global values and has provided a different outlook on what careers to strive for. I want to work for an organization that understands the condition of the world and wants to actively do better.
Mark Novales
University of Pittsburgh Global Studies Student Ambassador
Internships and Employment
Professional Experience
Ernst & Young (EY) is a global professional services that is one of the Big 4 accounting firms in the world. Their core services include advisory, audit and tax that support millions of companies around the world.
This past summer, I interned with EY as a part of their Advisory Consultant Program in their Business Advisory division. This is their management consulting branch that works around the country. I was based from the Philadelphia office but was placed on a major client in Secaucus, NJ. As part of this assignment I served on their Finance and Project Management consulting team overseeing a global SAP implementation that would be conducted throughout many countries around the world.
This internship was conducted on a global scale. I worked with team members from around the world, some being from throughout the US, Germany and India. The SAP implemented also dealt with the Latin American region and made an impact on firms throughout the region.
I very much enjoyed the position and loved working with individuals around the world. I accepted the position and will be working with EY full-time after graduation.
Ernst & Young (EY) is a global professional services that is one of the Big 4 accounting firms in the world. Their core services include advisory, audit and tax that support millions of companies around the world.
During the summer of 2018, I interned with EY in the Pittsburgh office as part the Launch program. The Launch program allows interns to rotate between tax, audit, advisory, recruiting and business development. Each rotation showcased a different style of work and gave a sneak peek into what full-time would look. Tasks that fulfilled included filing international tax forms, supporting the audit of two major clients and working with the firm’s extensive business development team. The program is intentional for students of color that are interested in getting involved with EY or business in the future.
This experience showed me that I did not want to pursue a traditional accounting route and wanted to go towards a career that is more oriented towards communicating and interacting with people on a daily basis. This internship showcased the massive impact that global companies and what it looks like to interact within one.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos is a non-profit organization that provides numerous social services to the Latino community in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of the city. The organization provides services including legal social work, HIV testing, GED classes, after school support services, immigration support and urban development planning.
I worked as an intern to the Chief Executive Officer of the organization during the Summer of 2017. I supported the CEO by consolidating community engagement data, working with the executive board of the organization with financial and administrative support.
The experience was my first official professional role that I was able to complete. It showcased the issues of urban economic displacement like gentrification and global systems that are prevalent around the world.
Campus Work Experience
The Global Studies Center (GSC) is the hub of the Global Studies department within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS). The Center provides student with advising to complete the offices educational programs and conduct programming and events to allow students to engage global studies within their curriculum.
I have had the pleasure of supporting the office as a student ambassador. This role involves supporting the tasks of the administration, prepping student programs or helping program participants with their digital portfolios.
This experience has reminded me of global issues while still working as a student. It has been very rewarding help the GSC team provide an excellent program to all interested Pitt students.
The Career Development Office of Pitt Business works to ensure that Pitt students are prepared to enter the workforce by providing careers services and support for all Pitt Business students. The office has numerous students supporting the office called Professional Development Consultants who conduct resume reviews, mock interviews, LinkedIn support etc.
I have served in this position during my senior year and have come to learn so much from the Career Development staff and the students that I have the pleasure of supporting. I have found a great joy out of helping students reach their fullest potential and being confident about applying for their dream jobs.
The Office of Residence Life works to providing the best living experience for all residents at Pitt’s residence halls. From the team of Resident Assistants (Was) and Resident Directors, the department constantly works to provide excellent services and activities for residents.
I have served an RA for the past three years supporting the Business and Casa Cultural Latin American Studies Living Learning Communities. I have conducted check-in conversations, educational programming, safety checks and countless memories for 120 residents. I also served as an RA during a summer term as well.
My RA experience has taught me lots of lessons in leadership, patience, team work, convict resolution and communication etc. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to make an impact on so many residents throughout my college career.
The Office of Alumni Relations of Pitt works to ensure that alumni are engaged and supported after their time at Pitt. The office works closely with the Chancellor’s Office and the Philanthropy Office to ensure that Pitt’s alumni still feel connected with the institution.
I served as an administrative assistant supported the Office’s work by representing the University at alumni dinners and fundraising functions and by conducting data analysis on the professional trends of alumni from Pitt.
This experience allowed me to interact with alumni from around the globe and support programs that would support global alumni from Pitt.
