“In almost a year, your life changes”: International Business alumna returns to speak with New Paltz students

When Keydy Espinoza ’21 (International Business) was a student in New Paltz’s School of Business, she always appreciated hearing from recent program graduates who were finding their way as early career professionals and charting a path that she hoped to follow.

Now, a year out of college and succeeding as a world-traveling trade associate, Espinoza returned to her alma mater to give the same gift to those who will follow her.

“In almost a year, your life changes so much,” she said. “To come back a year later, with a lot more clarity in knowing now what I know, it was just nice to see the progression that you can have in such a short amount of time.”

Espinoza spoke in detail about her experiences, but the overall message for current students was clear: A New Paltz degree opens doors in the world of business.

“Big companies do hire New Paltz grads,” she said. “These are people willing to help you, so long as you put yourself out there.”

The Suffolk County native, who now works as a foreign direct investment and trade associate in consulting firm OCO Global‘s New York office, spoke with students in Professor Davina Vora’s International Business course near the end of the spring 2022 semester. Vora had been an influential mentor to Espinosa during her time at New Paltz, and the two have stayed in touch.

“I always found her career path really interesting when I was in college,” Espinoza said. “She was definitely a professor that I wanted to maintain contact with and continue learning from even after I graduated.”

Espinoza also credited a 2019 internship in China, secured with support from New Paltz’s Center for International Programs, with preparing her for the lifestyle and pace of frequent professional travel.

“It shows you if you actually want to do that as a career and live your life in another country,” she said, “having that real-world experience gives you insight as to what your daily life is going to be like.”

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