Alumni Return to College Park to Share Insights on Global Careers

Students had a front-row seat to learn from a panel of distinguished alumni in the latest Careers Crossing Borders series event on April 3, 2025. The event, sponsored by the Center for Global Business, brings alumni from the University of Maryland to share their experiences, career advice and insights about careers that involve working in any international capacity.

This year’s panel included alumni from the Smith School as well as other programs across the university speaking about businesses ranging from policy, technology, commerce and engineering.

The panel was moderated by current student, Raquel Ford ’26, who asked the panelists to share the skills they thought contributed to successful careers in global business. Abisola Ude BSOS ’17 said a universal skill is customer service. “Customer service skills are very important. Sometimes you have to invest in the relationship,” she said. “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.” Ude, who works as a program manager with the Maryland Global Gateway in the Maryland Department of Commerce, helps to bring companies from all over the world to do business in the state. 
 
“Humility is a big one. Just awareness of the cultural aspects,” said Margarita Saringulyan, MBA ’07 and senior director, NORAM Transformation with Sodexo. “That helps in every aspect, not just global business.”

“There are at least, in my experience, some universal qualities that people will appreciate regardless of where they are from and I find that to be earnestness and passion for what you do.” said Ethan Shapir ’13, global marketing strategy lead with Alienware, Dell Technologies. He said these qualities will go far when working with colleagues from other regions.

Relationship-building and exploring new opportunities were just some of the recommendations and advice the panel offered students on charting their path to a global career. Participating in study abroad programs was also something some panelists said inspired their interest in global opportunities. Scott Kuschmider, EMBA ’21, said that when he studied abroad in the Netherlands, the program attracted students from all over the world and the people he studied with had an impact on him. The Smith Terp said being part of lectures and discussions with them helped him understand “there is more than one way to see the world.”

“The requirements across the world are either the same or very similar,” said Mukul Anand, MS ’98, MBA ’02, senior director of application engineering with Nortek Data Center Cooling Solutions. “As long as you have an open mind, you are ready to collaborate and what you do, you do it very well,” Anand said this can help you become a “global player.”

After the panel concluded, students could further discuss career topics with the panelists as well as additional alumni at a networking dinner that immediately followed. Kim Rice DeGross, assistant dean for strategic relations with the Office of Career Services also spoke to students about the importance of making connections at Smith events, in their classes and in their social groups. She encouraged students to connect with fellow students, alumni and panelists before leaving. “This is your network,” she said. “You never know who knows somebody.” She reminded students that there are coaches at Smith that will help with resume reviews and mock interviews. “What we do is empower you and provide you with the skills and resources for you to get the job. But that means take advantage of everything, like tonight,” she said.

More event information from the Center for Global Business can be found on their website.

The Careers Crossing Borders series is provided in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.