A conversation on a trading floor can bring a career into focus in ways a classroom discussion cannot. On October 28, students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management traveled to New York City to explore careers at JPMorgan Chase and BNP Paribas, then connect with alumni over an evening of networking. Throughout the day, students saw how their education could translate into different roles, industries, and professional paths.
The experience was made possible by Lally alumni who generously shared their time, welcomed students into their workplaces, and offered honest perspectives on their careers. Their involvement gave students an opportunity to ask questions, explore unfamiliar possibilities, and learn from people who once stood where they do today.
Connecting Classroom Learning at JPMorgan Chase
The day began with an early departure from Troy and a visit to JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters at 270 Park Avenue. Alumni hosts Annie Marinaro ’06, Lucas Ruglis ’04, and Joseph Cermola ’07 welcomed the group. John Sim ’94 and Greg Waters ’97 joined the hosts for a panel discussion about working at the firm.
For students considering their next steps, hearing about different career journeys helped broaden their understanding of where an RPI education can lead. Yaseen Nguyen ’28, an Industrial & Management Engineering student pursuing Lally’s coterminal MBA, noted that many of the professionals they met had taken paths that were far from linear. Their experiences showed him how technical backgrounds can contribute to finance through operations, technology, and project-focused roles.
Lunch on the trading floor offered another opportunity to connect academic and professional experiences. Nguyen saw parallels between the coordination required in finance and the workflow challenges he had encountered in manufacturing.
“Seeing the trading floor in person showed how much depends on clear communication and coordination when decisions move that fast,” Nguyen reflected. “It reminded me of the process and workflow problems I've worked on in manufacturing, just at a very different speed.”
These observations brought the visit beyond an introduction to a company. Students could consider how skills they were already developing might apply in settings they had not previously imagined.
Exploring New Career Possibilities at BNP Paribas
In the afternoon, the group visited BNP Paribas, hosted by Maria Espinosa ’19, a member of the Lally School of Management Industry Advisory Board. The visit introduced students to another financial institution and offered additional perspectives on the work happening within the industry.
For graduate student Sanduni Silva ’27, visiting both organizations provided a valuable opportunity to explore professional environments firsthand.
“It was a great experience to learn about these organizations, get a glimpse into the financial industry, and hear different perspectives about the work happening behind the scenes,” Silva shared.
Together, the visits gave students more context for thinking about their interests and goals. Conversations with professionals helped connect the subjects they study with the responsibilities, collaboration, and decisions that shape daily work.
Building Connections Across the RPI Community
The day concluded at The Mix, an alumni networking event where students continued their conversations over pizza. After exploring two workplaces, they had time to hear more personal stories about navigating career decisions and building professional lives after RPI.
Silva particularly valued the opportunity to speak with graduates whose experiences offered a perspective on her own next steps.
“It was really nice to have those conversations and connect with people who were once in our shoes and have since built their careers in the industry,” she said.
Nguyen also reflected on the willingness of RPI graduates to share advice and stay connected. By the end of the day, he had a clearer sense of the possibilities ahead.
“I came away with a much clearer picture of the different directions an Industrial & Management Engineering degree and an MBA can take me,” he shared.
Opening Doors for Future Students
Experiences like this depend on alumni who make room in their schedules to welcome students, answer questions, and share what they have learned. Lally thanks Annie Marinaro, Lucas Ruglis, Joseph Cermola, John Sims, Greg Waters, and Maria Espinosa, along with the alumni who joined the evening gathering, for making the day meaningful.
Their generosity helped students connect classroom learning with professional practice and discover a community willing to support their growth.
If your company is interested in hosting Lally students for a future career exploration visit, please contact LallyMedia@rpi.edu.
By: Emilee Saunders
