Bass Connections was among my most enriching university experiences. Working with a tight-knit team of motivated individuals and a professor who is at the forefront of the global value chain framework development allowed me to gain insights into North Carolina’s economic position that I would never have been able to grasp before.

Not only did the course offer an opportunity to conduct meaningful research, but it also exposed the students to a wide network of industry specialists through interviews and internal contacts. Over the span of a year, I was able to work on projects regarding the state’s defense industry as well as the aerospace industry.

By using a global value chain approach, the team was able to isolate the areas in which the state had strengths and in which they lacked support. This comprehensive process allowed us to present a well-rounded analysis and come up with specific recommendations for action and upgrading on a policy or legislative level.