Jake Litzau

Contact Jake

What inspired you to pursue graduate study in global commerce, and what are your goals for the program?

I decided to pursue a graduate program in Global Commerce given the relevance of this area of study to understanding the increasingly interconnected nature of business. The skills developed throughout a curriculum that champions international exposure and embraces diverse perspectives are translatable to any professional role, regardless of the organization, industry, or geographic location, and in today’s world economy have become more imperative than discretionary.

What courses or topics in global commerce are you most excited to explore during the program?

I’m most eager to explore how the Global Challenges seminar addresses the intersection of commerce with contemporary issues like climate change and economic disparity while integrating insights across several disciplines. Leveraging a broad analytical framework to examine the multidimensional nature of these pressures stands to offer both the depth necessary to navigate their complexity and the foundation to thoughtfully consider practical solutions, which will undoubtedly be critical to recognizing how commerce can be mobilized as a force for global resilience and shared progress.

What drew you to the M.S. in Global Commerce Program at UVA McIntire?

What initially drew me to the M.S. in Global Commerce Program was its intentional blend of rigorous coursework and immersive field experience that allows students to engage with our greatest global challenges far beyond the classroom. This kind of balance between study and practice is particularly rare, and it is what first convinced me that this program was the right fit.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?

I have been most anticipating the launch of the Social Impact Project, not just because of the experience itself, but because it will serve as a platform to take everything that we’re learning and test it against the real world. The chance to turn ideas into lived experiences is what I believe will make this program stand out as a truly transformative journey.

What extracurriculars, clubs, or activities are you hoping to get involved with during your time here?

In addition to serving as a Graduate Student Ambassador, I hope to pursue research collaborations with McIntire’s renowned faculty and share in the exchange of knowledge that defines the University of Virginia’s academic environment.

What’s one place in Charlottesville (or on Grounds) you’re most excited to visit or explore?

I’m most looking forward to taking advantage of the many opportunities to get outside and appreciate Virginia’s fall weather with events like the Thursday Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard.