Nicole De Monti, IT Consultant, adesso Schweiz

To help current students and recent graduates navigate the world of work, several USI Alumni shared their career paths and career story. Here the story of Nicole De Monti, IT Consultant in adesso Schweiz in Lugano (CH). USI Degree: Master in Management and Informatics, 2024.

How did you start your career?

My career started with an internship at adesso Schweiz AG, an IT company based in Lugano. During the final semester of my master’s degree, I wanted to combine writing my thesis with practical experience. On the USI career service portal, I found several internship opportunities in the IT sector at adesso AG, but I was particularly interested in one focused on BPM and low-code programming, as it was closely related to the topic of my thesis and to my interests. The experience at adesso AG was very formative and opened up the opportunity for me to stay with the company after the internship. During this time, thanks to adesso Schweiz AG, I also started collaborating with Artificialy, a company active in the field of artificial intelligence.

Why did you choose a career at adesso Schweiz?

The internship experience definitely allowed me to experience life at adesso AG firsthand. The company prioritizes employee well-being and offers a wide range of support initiatives. To mention a few: flexible working hours and location, various events including a summer camp in the Mediterranean sea and a ski weekend in Switzerland, and much more. Additionally, I developed a great relationship with my colleagues, who have always been willing to help and teach me anything I needed.

What is your current role/duties?

At adesso AG, after completing an internship focused on low-code development, I started my career as a junior consultant. In my team, we can grow by focusing on two services, one platform and one focus topic. Currently, I am involved in process modeling and work team coordination, but I will have the opportunity to develop what I most like in the future (which I’m still discovering). At Artificialy, I handle IT support and, in general, work to improve the efficiency of business processes and internal communication through the management of a shared knowledge base.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career at adesso Schweiz?

Being proactive and willing to learn are crucial, but adaptability is equally important. The IT environment is constantly evolving, and staying open to read about and learn new technologies is key. Effective communication, particularly in English, is essential for collaboration, and I find that knowing German opens even more doors.

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

I greatly appreciated MMI program for three main reasons. The first and most concrete is the content of the program. I liked the interdisciplinary courses, as well as foundational courses that helped me with the IT skills I was missing. Moreover, all of these courses had an important practical part, which made learning much more effective. In particular, the opportunity to work on a field project for an external company was very useful, as it provided us concrete work experience, helped learn essential working tools and communication skills and opened up career opportunities. Lastly, all the support for study and learning, including scholarships and university services, which helped me throughout these two years.

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

The numerous projects helped me develop teamwork skills. Organizing groups at the university can be quite challenging due to differing interests and various commitments of the participants, but it results in the ability to organize our work and communicate effectively with each other and others about our results. Time management is another essential skill that you automatically develop when handling multiple projects with different people and deadlines.

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

For me it has been useful to participate in events organized by the university (especially the ones aligned with my interests), as they provide opportunities to meet professionals in the field and learn useful information. If it fits with your studies, I recommend to do something practical, such as a project, a summer internship or a work experience. Don’t hesitate to ask USI staff or former students any question on doubts you may have. In particular, for female students, I recommend participating in the mentoring program, which can truly be a game changer since it's a chance to connect with professionals who can support you in this journey. Finally yes, it’s difficult: thesis, exams, courses, and looking for a job can be overwhelming, but you are not alone! We have all been there, and hopefully, things will get better soon.

Good luck!