Hello there! My name is Madeleine McElligott, but feel free to call me Maddie. I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Marketing with a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I’m so excited to spend two weeks in Ireland and share my experience with you through these blogs.

Let’s kick off my first post with a little bit about me. I’m a born and raised yinzer from the South Hills of Pittsburgh. I have a big family who I love to spend time with, and the best friends who never fail to put a smile on my face. In my free time I love to listen to podcasts, workout, and try new restaurants around the area!

I completed my first two years of undergrad at the Community College of Allegheny County. I’m so thankful for my time at CCAC- I was able to continue to work, explore my interests, and get a clear vision of my career path. That being said, I am so glad that I’m finally at Pitt! Already, Pitt Business has provided me with a variety of different academic opportunities. From taking classes that immerse me in topics I’m passionate about to having the chance to study abroad in Ireland, I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had and can’t wait for the ones to come.

As far as my professional career goes, I’d say it started when I was in high school and worked at my local Chick-fil-A. During my time there, I was invited to be on the marketing team where I planned events, managed our social media presence, and assisted in coordinating our donation page, among other things. I loved it so much that I decided that’s what I wanted to pursue in college. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to intern for a few different organizations, working mainly in digital marketing and social media. This past summer, specifically, I interned at Schenley, a content creation agency based in Shadyside. I was able to create content for a variety of clients and learn the ins-and-outs of SEO.

I’m excited to say that as soon as we arrive back from Ireland I will be starting a digital marketing internship with Highmark Health, working for their dental solutions company United Concordia Dental. I can’t wait to learn new skills and gain more experience in the industry.

Studying abroad in Ireland, a country rich in history and culture, is sure to enhance my time here at Pitt. Being able to experience the modern organizations, innovations, and technologies that are making their home in Dublin is something that will benefit not only my academic development, but my personal and professional growth, as well. A few of the things I’m most excited about include:

• Connecting with my Irish heritage and learning more about my family history
• Broadening my knowledge of how organizations operate on an international level
• Gaining hands-on experience in a global business setting

If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate it! I’m looking forward to writing these blog updates and documenting my adventures abroad. Thanks for coming along for the ride. See you in Dublin!