Alessandro Donato
Alessandro, BBA graduate from the class of 2019, has returned to his native Italy to work as a consultant at Bain & Company. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge through his internships at Rothschild & Co., management consultancy Strategy&, and Google.
"IE offers a very practical approach and gives students the possibility to understand, from the first day, how to approach the job market and what are the most relevant skills to succeed in different sectors."
Q&A WITH ALESSANDRO
Could you tell us about the application process and how you got your current role?
I had two rounds of interviews with both partners and managers. During the interviews, my interpersonal and problem-solving skills were tested with questions related to my past experiences and with cases.
How did your experience at IEU prepare you for your professional career?
IE offers a very practical approach and gives students the possibility to understand, from the first day, how to approach the job market and what are the most relevant skills to succeed in different sectors. In addition, IE offers a very diverse environment in which I was able to interact with people with different perspectives and backgrounds, which was key for my personal development.
What is the competitive advantage that studying at IEU provides or has provided you?
The two main factors that create a competitive advantage at IE are the practical experience that the professors can bring to the class, thanks to the several years they spent working for some of the most prestigious companies in the field, and the multicultural backgrounds of the students that provide a lot of opportunities to understand how people think and tackle problems in different ways.
Do you have any advice for IEU students and alumni who are looking to pursue a career in consulting?
Do not underestimate the importance of interpersonal and social skills, in this sector it makes a big difference if you are able to be a good team member and improve the working environment. The main assets of a consulting company are its people.
What skills do you consider are needed to succeed in consulting?
Interpersonal, teamwork, problem-solving, and hard work.
Tell us about the IEU alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career.
I had the chance to talk to several IE alumni to ask various questions on a sector I was interested in and to learn more about a specific company. I think is a very important part of the IE community that could be leveraged even more.
Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IEU alumni community?
I think IE was a very positive experience for the vast majority of its alumni and, for this reason, I think that many alumni are more than willing to help someone who is embarking on the same path. It gives current students the possibility to ask questions to those alumni working in the sectors they would like to work with, in a more transparent way.
What skills would you recommend job seekers develop in order to make them more competitive in today’s workforce?
I think experience is key. Try to do as many internships as possible during your time at IE and, if possible, try to experience different sectors to make sure you find the best fit for yourself.
What’s the best career advice you have ever been given?
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
If someone was considering going to IEU, what would you tell them?
I would totally recommend studying at IEU, I think is a great place to learn and discover your passions.
What is one thing you wished you knew, when you were a student?
Workers are people. They like to talk, they have hobbies, and in most of the cases they are looking for a nice person to spend their time with. Do not be shy and be proactive in creating relationships with other people.