For Students: The GDI program is a very impactful experience for the students because it is a research project, not a hypothetical case study. The students must understand the company’s services/products, analyze the SWOT, and evaluate possible market strategies. Also, students must perform effectively as a team to deliver a quality report, which is an intensive but beneficial learning experience.
For Companies: The GDI provides unbiased analytic insights on the potentialities of product/service strategies entering the US market. The report will give the participating company a quality touchstone for the deep-dive research to be conducted by professional consultants. Discussions with the student team will be a worthy impetus for understanding the US market and the business culture.
The GDI program provides students an opportunity to learn about real business through their understanding of the client companies. It also gives students an opportunity to develop analytical, team work and communication skills - all critical for the business world.
Serving as a mentor in the Global Development Initiative program at the Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas, has been a fun and rewarding experience for me. I have worked with student teams for the past five or six semesters, assisting client companies in Mexico, Sweden and South Korea.
GDI Student – Israeli Company, Class of Spring 2023 (All Terrain Vehicles)
I had the pleasure of being a project leader alongside my team members, coach, and mentor. We gained meaningful international business experience in a domestic learning environment. Various skills such as time management, business meeting conduction, and industrial research were utilized. It is one thing to take classes and learn about global business, it is another thing to be engaged in consultation with an international company.
GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)
Thank you, Mr. Howorth! And I also want to say thank you for all the help and opportunity you provided me during the Global Development Initiative in 2022. That experience has been priceless during my job interviews as it gave me first-hand involvement working on data procurement and consultation. It was always a talking point and helped me get my current job at Murphy Oil Corporation, so I truly appreciate what you and Professor Zydorek did for us during that course! Thank You!
GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)
I am extremely pleased that I was able to participate in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) internship program. For me, the experience was wonderful and enlightening in many ways. Having to meet mentors and interns who have their distinct individuality, but share a similar cooperative motivation was a first for me. There was never a lack of moments in our collaborations, whether we were serious about accomplishing our goals or laughing about random topics that I would have never expected to appear.
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