What does a company that operates globally expect of today’s graduating college students?  Such companies need managers and leaders with an international perspective to drive further growth in China, India, Brazil, Russia, the Middle East, South Africa and Eastern Europe.

Stacie Berdan

DuPont describes itself as as “the world’s most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer and healthier life for people everywhere.”  DuPont produces 65 percent of its sales outside the U.S.  As one of the top three U.S. exporters, DuPont has sales teams and manufacturing assets in hundreds of nations.  Among its senior executives, 70 percent have lived and worked outside their home country.  

Diane Gulyas, Group Vice President of DuPont Performance Materials, can provide a specific example of how globalization has changed the way DuPont does business.  That change illustrates the skills the company now needs.  Gulyas explains that one of her current businesses, Engineering Polymers, is helping expand the Indian Railway, a complex system of tens of thousands of rail miles.  

“This opportunity does not exist in the United States.  It could easily have been overlooked by U.S. executives unaware of India’s heavy dependence on the rails and the nation's rapid economic growth,” recounts Gulyas.  “Our team in India spotted the opportunity, then worked with a DuPont technical team to develop the right product for India.  That multimillion dollar growth potential would not have come to pass if our teams lacked on-the-ground experience and presence as well as knowledge of technological advances.”

Sounds simple, but opportunities like this are overlooked by companies every day.  Gulyas, who manages a multibillion dollar unit at DuPont with a team of 7,500+ employees around the world, values international experience.  She herself worked for five years in Europe at a mid-point in her career.  She credits that mind-broadening experience as the driving force that catapulted her to the senior executive spot she holds today.

“Because our industry is global, it’s not possible to have a U.S. career anymore, says Gulyas.  “If you want to move ahead, you must be willing to go abroad, and you must be passionate about business beyond U.S. borders.  To succeed, you must be able to lead, motivate and manage global teams.”