SPS Stories
Alumni Spotlight
Diana Gonzalez
Class of 2015
MS in Travel and Tourism Management
Living Your Best Life with an NYU Connection
Fast Facts
- Completed an MS in Tourism Management in 2015
- Landed an internship with VisitBritain shortly after graduation
- Parlayed her experience into a full-time role as marketing manager for North America at Visit Bavaria
<p><span class="p-body">Diana Gonzalez graduated from NYU SPS in 2015 with an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-travel-and-tourism-management.html" title="Master's of Science in Travel and Tourism Management">MS in Tourism Management</a> from the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/jonathan-m-tisch-center-of-hospitality.html" title="Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality">Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality</a>. After a brief stint in business events, she realized her passion was joining a Tourism Board. She now is the Marketing Manager for North America at Visit Bavaria, where she is happy advocating for a country and region she loves.</span></p>
Building a Career by Building a Network
<p>Gonzalez shared that she was very lucky to have the opportunity to explore many things within the tourism industry, which allowed her to figure out what she wanted to do. </p>
<p>"I started off in the business events area but realized that I wasn't very interested, and preferred to try my luck within the leisure side. Luckily, I was able to intern at VisitBritain shortly after, and knew that tourism boards were where I wanted to focus my career," she recalled. "I moved up a few positions there. I showed my dedication and hard work to earn a place in the team. From my work there, I was able to meet many key people and contacts within the travel industry to build my network."</p>
Love Your Job, Love Your Life
<p>Today, she is living the dream. "I actually have a very special love for the destination of Germany on a personal side; so I've naturally always dreamed of possibly one day having the opportunity to work with the destination in some capacity," she explained. </p>
<p>According to Gonzalez, when you have the passion for travel and for the destination you represent, your workload and job duties become very enjoyable. "I like that I have the opportunity to communicate our brand and showcase Bavaria as a destination with places to go and things to do, but what I like the most is highlighting the Bavarian culture and its special traditions and customs," she mused.</p>
The Importance of an NYU Connection
<p>Gonzalez describes her time as a student at NYU as a positive and vital stepping stone in her career. "It has opened many doors for me within the travel industry—from tourism boards, to travel PR agencies, to travel research companies," she explained. </p>
<p>"However, starting off as an intern for one of the most popular destinations, representing Great Britain, really provided me with a 360-degree view of the challenges and day-to-day functioning of a tourism board," continued Gonzalez, "From sales, marketing and PR to public diplomacy."</p>
<p>That exposure made it very easy to transition into managerial roles, such as her current position as Marketing Manager for North America with Bavaria Tourism. </p>
I am not sure I would have had the same chances without my NYU connection."
Valuable In-Class Experience
<p>Her most memorable moments as a student were group projects in consulting and research courses. "In both of these courses, we had to present to the "client," which was a very valuable experience," she remembered. "Looking back, I know this has helped me because I have to do something similar in my current role quite often—whether it's presenting to my supervisor, tour operators, travel agents, or travel journalists."</p>
Network, Network, Network!
<p><span class="p-body">Not surprisingly, Gonzalez has some sage advice for today's SPS students. "I would recommend that students network, network, network!" she exclaimed. "Staying in touch with professors, guest speakers and their classmates is key. Attending as many events as possible at NYU and signing up for groups, such as Travel Massive, are great ways to meet more people already in the industry. Also, I highly recommend students to build their LinkedIn profile and use it as a tool to find companies you want to work for in the future."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Earning her <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-travel-and-tourism-management.html" title="Master's of Science in Travel and Tourism Management">MS in Tourism Management</a> at NYU SPS opened doors for Diana that she may have never imagined were possible. See where you can start the next chapter of your career with a degree from the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/jonathan-m-tisch-center-of-hospitality.html" title="Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality">Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality</a>.</span></p>
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