Alida Savio, Web and Social Media Specialist, Federal Administration

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 Alida Savio, Web and Social Media Specialist for the Federal Administration - Federal Office of Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs in Bern (CH). USI Degree: Master in Media Management, 2024.

How did you start your career?

My master's degree includes an internship semester. I applied to the Federal Office for Agriculture but didn't have high hopes. Instead, I was contacted for an interview and a couple of months later I was moving to Bern.

Why did you choose a career at Federal Administration?

My internship was challenging but rewarding. I decided to stay with the Federal Administration because of the multilingual and multicultural environment that is difficult to find elsewhere.

What is your current role/duties?

I develop and create content for both our website and our social media platforms. This ranges from the conception of new formats to daily maintenance. I work closely with the various specialists in the office to update the information we provide. My favorite part of the job is adapting the content to the different communication channels we use: a text to be published on LinkedIn is not the same as one sent out with a newsletter. I am currently working on the website relaunch project, which takes most of my time and energy.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career at Federal Administration?

Being proactive and creative are highly valued qualities. When working in a team, everyone must do their part and bring their own ideas to the table. We work in a field where things can change very quickly and new information can arrive at any moment. We therefore need to be ready to deal with challenges and find creative ways to face them. Mental agility is definitely a plus. During the day, I switch from German to French to Italian. This mental process becomes automatic over time, but it's exhausting at first.

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

During my studies I had to do a lot of group work. Although they weren't my favorite part of university, I quickly realized that it's important to know how to collaborate with people who have a different modus operandi to you (and how important it is to set boundaries and make yourself heard).

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

I've been interested in digital and visual communication since the beginning. Our master's program allows you to choose which direction to take. In particular, I was able to take courses in video editing, multimodality and storytelling, which I find very useful in my daily work. Even if you don't use the same programs or processes in your workplace, having a solid knowledge base in these fields facilitates the learning process.

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

Even if it's hard at the beginning, I'm convinced that most skills can be learned. So get out of your comfort zone and give it a go, you might like it