MIB Student Spotlight: Carly Rutigliano

Q: Tell us about your Global Immersion Experience trip. 

Rutigliano: “During my GIE experience, I had the privilege of traveling to Dublin, Ireland, where we provided a consulting project to NVD, a company that assists vehicle manufacturers in the timely and incident-free distribution of their products. NVD provides a range of services, including transportation, body repairs, pre-delivery inspections, vehicle conversions and enhancements, as well as monitored 24-hour secure storage. Our cohort had the opportunity to visit Amazon, Foxit and the Guinness Enterprise Center to learn more about crucial Irish market trends and customs.”

Q: How did this trip enhance your understanding of the culture and business environment of the country you visited? 

Rutigliano: “I had never been to Europe before this trip, and I was thrilled to explore a new culture and gain an understanding of the values of the Irish community. The GIE exposed me not only to Irish business practices, but to the relationship-oriented culture of Dublin.”

Q: What was the most memorable or impactful experience you had during the trip? 

Rutigliano: “My most memorable experience was taking a tour of the Guinness Enterprise Center and learning about how they fund unique startups that have a tangible impact on the Irish community. Many lives have been changed by the startups that began in the GEC, and it was amazing to hear their stories of triumph and failure.”

Q: Were there any aspects of the trip that challenged your perspective or pushed you outside your comfort zone?

Rutigliano: “We had the opportunity to engage with many companies spanning a variety of industries, which required us to have a working knowledge of very niche skill sets. Specifically, NVD operated in a market I was unfamiliar with, and it pushed me to learn an entire industry from scratch to provide tailored recommendations accurately.”

Q: Did the trip alter or reinforce any assumptions you previously had about the country, its people, or its business practices? 

Rutigliano: “The GIE reinforced what I had learned in many classes regarding the relationship-focused business practices of Europe: Genuine trust is required before negotiating or beginning a new venture.”

Q: What specific skills, insights, or knowledge did you gain through participating in this program? 

Rutigliano: “I learned how to quickly adapt when a particular piece of data contradicts a previous assumption and how to create realistic recommendations based on future market trends and marketing strategies.”

Q: How do you see this experience influencing your future studies or career goals? 

Rutigliano: “The GIE confirmed that I want to work for a company with an international impact that spans multiple global communities. The nuances of conducting business abroad are not only intriguing but are necessary if I wish to consistently push myself professionally.”

Q: Anything else you may wish to add. 

Rutigliano: “I made some of my greatest friends on the GIE, and it’s an experience I reflect on often when I am asked about my time at UF. It’s also one of the main reasons I recommend the MIB program to my peers.”