Student Snapshot: Damian Garrubbo ’22

Damian Garrubbulo

As a double major in international business & management and Italian studies, Damian Garrubbo ’22 found a targeted internship at the New York office of the Italian Trade Commission, a government agency that establishes trade deals with foreign companies and works to simplify Italian investment processes. He’s grateful for the faculty connection that led to that opportunity. Below, he discusses that experience as well as why he chose Dickinson, his recipe for a happy life, and his plans for a career in international business and/or finance.

Hometown:

Madison, New Jersey.

Majors:

International business & management and Italian studies.

Favorite book:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Favorite movie:

It’s a Wonderful Life.

Favorite class:

Roman History, since we got to sit around a table in Althouse and review/discuss Roman history in detail for nearly four hours a week.

Favorite place on campus:

The Underground.

Favorite Dining Hall food:

Chicken caprese.

Most important thing I’ve learned so far:

So far, I have learned the importance of keeping a routine each day, whether it’s getting a smoothie every morning or making sure I take a trip to the library every night. I feel that this structure helps me stay focused on my day and the work I have ahead of me.

If I could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, it would be …

… Abraham Lincoln.

As I kid, I wanted to be …

… a train engineer.

About my internship:

Over the summer of 2020, I interned with the Italian Trade Commission (ITA), specifically their New York office. The ITA is an Italian government agency that works to establish trade deals with foreign companies and serves to simplify the process of investing in Italy.

This internship appealed greatly to me, as it combined my two majors: international business & management and Italian studies. I got to manage Zoom webinars for the company in NYC and create spreadsheets and presentations for the company, and I got to make a lot of connections, which I hope will help me find work after graduation. I also organized and managed a webinar the company hosted to launch a new book that provides insight on beginning a startup. This webinar was attended by several Italian startup leaders, and the Italian ambassador himself was in the office with me for the event. Many thanks to the Italian department and Senior Lecturer in Italian Luca Lanzilotta for helping me find and secure this internship!

Little-known hobby/talent:

I enjoy building computers.

Best thing about my Dickinson experience:

The ability to form connections with my professors both in and out of the classroom. The small class sizes are what sets Dickinson apart from other colleges here in the United States.

Proudest accomplishment so far:

Passing Managerial Decision-Making with Professor of International Business & Management Steve Erfle.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I plan to work in in the U.S. in the field of business/finance. I hope to also focus on Europe and European business, hopefully using my Italian skills.

Best advice:

Make sure you make yourself happy before you go out and try to please the world. If you live a happy life, you can help the people you surround yourself with to live happy lives as well.

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Published February 5, 2021