At the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, one of our key guiding principles is ensuring our students receive the education they need to succeed in their dream careers. Part of that is in-classroom learning taught by world-renowned faculty. A second part creates a space for students to pursue experiential learning, also known as learning by doing.
The David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership’s Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship aims to equip graduate students with the skill set they need to navigate an ever-changing workplace in their future careers. This fellowship course, titled Project Course in Organizational Leadership, spends the first half of the semester in the classroom learning about relevant workplace topics, including organizational leadership and sustainability issues. Then, the second half is a consulting-style project working with a small-to-medium-sized organization to solve a business problem.
Hands-On Value for Students
Chiara Marzullo (MBA ’25) loved how engaging the course was. “Unlike traditional coursework, which often focuses on theoretical concepts, this course provided an immersive, hands-on experience working directly with a minority-led business. The practical nature of the project, combined with mentorship and collaboration, made this experience incredibly rewarding and distinct from my other MBA courses,” she says.
She spent the spring semester working with restaurant Panadería Jazmín, developing several key skills, including stakeholder communication, problem-solving, and project management.
Jennifer Petrie-Signore (MBA ’25) felt like this course differed from many others because it encouraged students to share their personal experiences and insights in classroom discussions. “I intend to use my MBA for a career pivot into consulting, and the skills I learned in the Berg Center Fellowship course are directly applicable to that goal,” she says. She spent the semester working with Uncle Jammy’s Sauces & Seasonings.
Seeing first-hand how certain business processes can burden a small business and the people who work there, Petrie-Signore and her teammates “dug deep in creative problem solving to present the client with a few paths through which they might surpass this barrier to growth.”
Get Involved in Fall 2025!
Marzullo says she chose to attend Pitt Business because of its emphasis on experiential learning, leadership development, and community. “Pitt’s supportive community and resources allowed me to pursue my interests in leadership, social impact, and organizational change, making it the perfect environment to grow personally and professionally,” she says.
Real-world learning experiences at Pitt Business give students the skills they will need to be successful post-graduation. Registration for this course is open to second-year MBA and MS students and will fulfill an experience-based elective credit. Students also receive a stipend for their participation. The course design brings classroom learning to life. Registration for the Fall semester course starts in late March. For more information, contact V Reiter at V.Reiter@pitt.edu.