Patrick Lardi, Board Member & Vice Chairman, ST Real Estate Holding

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 Patrick Lardi, Board Member & Vice Chairman for ST Real Estate Holding in Australia - Dubai - Montecarlo - United States.

How did you start your career?

I started polishing shoes of guests of the Le Prese Hotel in Val Poschiavo (CH) where I worked in the summer, by playing hockey where I learned the value of loyalty, and by exploring the trails in the mountains back home.

Why did you choose a career in ST Real Estate Holding?

I don't know if I chose it but curiosity, the desire to explore and to learn led me to the opportunity to start working with the lawyer Tito Tettamanti. Thinking about the last 7-8 years I am grateful for this path and how much I learned about economics, entrepreneurship, and real estate.

What is your current role/duties?

As the lawyer told me in one of the first meetings the best investment I could make was to buy good shoes. Yes because even in the times of AI, big data, and digitization in real estate, location remains the main factor, and walking up and down the streets of a city remains the best way to understand the neighborhood in order to find a good investment.

Our task can be summarized as assembling and managing a portfolio of real estate that generates regular profits to enable the organization (of which we are a part) to support charity.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in ST Real Estate Holding?

Many paths lead to careers, in my case I think passion, loyalty and a lot of commitment have always made a difference both in work and in sports.

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

Lugano is a small town surrounded by nature, one hour from Milan-Malpensa Airport and less than two hours from Zurich. The university is international and has a streamlined structure where everyone knows "almost" everyone.

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

My path is not a classic one therefore the Executive Master in Business Administration gave me structured thoughts and a stronger theoretical foundation, as well as it permitted to open my mind thanks to an international team of professors.

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

Engage even in the humblest tasks, show passion and be loyal. Pose as your future boss would like to see you, that is, give that extra something and always behave with style. By doing so you will be able to achieve your goals, even the most unexpected ones. I will end with an anecdote: this summer I was having breakfast on the terrace of that hotel where I used to clean shoes more than 35 years ago, and I got emotional thinking about that little boy cleaning shoes. Talking to him I said "bravo you have come a long way," and he with his look between the curious and the dreamer told me "there are still many paths to discover, many roads to travel."