Alberto Mazza, Impact Assistant, EIT

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Alumni Service

31 August 2020

In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Alberto Maria Mazza, Impact Assistant for the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in Budapest (H). USI Degree: Master in Economics and International Policies, 2018.

How did you start your career?

During the Master, I did an internship at United Nations in New York City for 6 months. The USI Career Scholarship for International Placement supported financially my experience in the US. Working for two different departments at UN, IT and Economics and Social Affairs (DESA), has helped me growing in an international working environment gaining relevant technical knowledge on the dynamics of an international organization from an insider point of view. In DESA, I assisted with the organization and planning for the 2017 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA). This has allowed me to come up with my Master’s thesis regarding Sustainability and Drivers of Innovation in Public Administration.

Why did you choose a career in theEuropean Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)?

After my experience at UN, I worked in Italy as business developer in one of the Europe’s fastest growing start-up. Actually, I am working at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, an independent body of European Union. Here I can boost my project management capacities in public policies and innovation & start-up projects both.

What is your current role/duties?

I mainly execute assessments of innovation projects’ adherence to the good governance principles. The main objective of the assessments is to improve the programmes’ development and allocation of EU funds.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)?

To be versatile, open-minded, and ready to change quickly.

What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?

I really appreciated the deep focus on the human development of the Faculty of Economics. I read “microfinance” and “economical ethics” where the focal point is principally the well-being of people. Moreover, one great aspect of USI programmes is the strong international network. During my work experiences in the US and Italy, I participated in the USI Alumni Night where I met other USI alumni.

What competences and/or skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

Some of the competences acquired during the MEPIN are strategic skills and critical thinking. For example, the lecture “Quantum Macroeconomics” has allowed me to study an economical theory different from the mainstream ones and develop more points of view on economics.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

Be open to new experiences!