Chinese M.B.A. Student Interning for Pittsburgh Department of City Planning Friday, December 5, 2014
Meet Bo Ai
Currently pursuing: M.B.A., international business concentration
Expected graduation: December 2014
Internships: Social media intern for the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning and social media marketing intern for Point Park University's Office of International Student Services and Enrollment
Degrees earned: B.S. in computer science, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China, 2011
Hometown: Qinhuangdao, China
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, traveling, photography and working out
Twitter: @BO_PPU
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bo-ai/64/95/2a5
As an international student, why did you choose Point Park for your M.B.A. degree?
After getting married, my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh from China so she could attend Carnegie Mellon University. I enrolled in the English as a Second Language program offered on Point Park's campus and was impressed with the University and its M.B.A. program. Point Park offers small class sizes and has great faculty and student interaction. Students can easily ask their professors questions and go to them for help when needed.
Point Park's location in Downtown Pittsburgh was also a deciding factor. There are so many companies close to Point Park. I chose to pursue an M.B.A. degree because all organizations need individuals with strong business management skills.
How did you land your social media internship with Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning?
I learned about and applied for this position at one of the internship and job fairs held on campus. When I told my family I got this internship, they were shocked and excited for me. Working for city government will look very impressive on my resume, especially when I return home to China. The internship has been a unique and meaningful work experience.
In what ways does Point Park help international students feel welcome?
Point Park's ISSE office does a great job. They know every international student on campus by name and do their best to answer all kinds of questions from international students related to academics, student life and Pittsburgh. They treat us like family.
Also, the professors at Point Park are really respectful to international students and always ask us to share our experiences in class. I've enjoyed working with American students, too, especially on group projects.
What have been your favorite things about Point Park?
I've enjoyed going to events on campus like the Cultural Summit as well as women's volleyball and men's soccer games. The career fairs held on campus have been great because there have been so many good companies and opportunities there.
Another favorite thing about Point Park has been how I have been able to improve my language skills overall and my public speaking performance through class presentations. Marketing with Dr. Perkins has been my favorite class because it is so applicable to my current internships. Also, I've really enjoyed having Dr. Kraniou as a professor for international business. His lectures deeply inspired me to learn more about global economics.
What are your career goals?
I've learned a lot about marketing, accounting and finance that will be very useful in my future career. I plan to go home to China within the next year and would love to work in international business relations between China and the United States. I want to introduce companies in China to the business opportunities in Pittsburgh.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I really hope international students will come here to study. I've met so many friends here from all over the world. I hope some of them can be my future business colleagues. Having lived here now for two years, I feel that Pittsburgh is one of the best cities in the United States. There are so many opportunities.
Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, sophomore photojournalism major
More About: M.B.A., Rowland School of Business, Allegheny County, graduate programs, internships