Alessandro Bignasca, Business Analyst, Euromed Pharma

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 Alessandro Bignasca, Business Analyst for Euromed Pharma in New York (US). USI Degrees: Master in Economics and International Policies, 2020 and Bachelor in Economics, 2018.

How did you start your career?

Finishing my studies in the middle of a global pandemic definitely didn't help, especially since I always wanted to work in international businesses where traveling is one of the main features. I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, business communication and I have a numerical oriented mindset. In addition, I was lucky enough to be born into a bi- lingual family, I have always spoken English and Chinese at home and it has definitely helped me in my job search. After doing an internship as a management consultant in Switzerland, I quickly realized that I wanted to pursue an international career not as a consultant but in a more numerical role with more responsibility and important decision-making process. I was lucky enough to get to know Euromed Pharma US and the pharmaceutical industry from a different point of view, not purely medical but oriented to trading, procurement and sales of medicines. So I decided to undertake this adventure in the United States. The working environment here is very different, if you are hungry for opportunities this city really pushes you forward, by giving many professional opportunities. Hard work is definitely rewarded in the United States.

Why did you choose a career at Euromed Pharma?

Because I was passionate about their business and because my current role include bargaining, trading, a numerical mindset and on top of that, we help people getting access to drugs that are not available in their countries. This is personally the biggest motivation every day.

What is your current role/duties?

I am a business analyst for Euromed Pharma. I focus primarily on the trading, procurement and sales side of Clinical Trial Researches for big pharma industries. Our roles as Wholesalers and traders, is to give access to as much medicines as possible to private families in need and to big corporations that runes clinical trials.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in Euromed Pharma?

Hungry for opportunities, talented in communicating with key stakeholders, networking in the pharmaceutical industry, sales-oriented mindset, successful long term mindset, quick-thinking (and quick decision making process too!)

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

I loved the fact that my Master program offered so many different courses, with so many different backgrounds and the fact that professors (especially those invited from foreign countries) were always available for more intimate/confidential/informal talks even outside the lectures. Not everything can be taught in a classroom!

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

Time management, different international points of views on the current economical/political and juridical environment.

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

Be yourself, choose what you love, think what you can do for your company but also what your company can do/improve in you. Never stop learning, and more importantly, never settle down, we are young and we studies all these years, go for your dream at this point!