Alessandro Gabos, Experience Transformation Consultant, Accenture

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 Gabos, Experience Transformation Consultant at Accenture in Lugano. USI Degree: Master in Management, 2022.

How did you start your career?

During my studies, I frequently interacted with the Career Service: CV Check, LNoC, one-to-one meetings, etc. These experiences were extremely valuable in helping me explore companies in the Ticino area and build useful connections. While spending a semester abroad, I decided to send spontaneous applications to the companies that interested me the most, using the contacts provided by the Career Service. Several of them got back to me (even some unexpectedly) but Accenture was the one that truly caught my attention. After two online interviews from Spain, I received and accepted an internship offer, even before completing my studies, thesis, and Field Project.

Why did you choose a career at accenture?

I chose accenture because I have always considered the consulting sector the ideal launchpad for a recent graduate. In such a dynamic and constantly evolving environment, with a clear career path, young professionals have the opportunity to explore different areas, learn as much as possible, and better understand the direction they want to take in their careers. Moreover, Accenture’s strong reputation and excellence in the tech field perfectly aligned with my academic background and personal interests before joining USI.

What is your current role/duties?

From the very beginning, I have been involved in Digital Marketing projects, particularly in the areas of Commerce and Product Management, working with multinational clients. Currently, I serve as a Product Owner for specific features of a Mobile Banking app. My role involves defining requirements and the feature roadmap together with the client, setting priorities, supervising the development team, and ultimately being responsible for the final outcome.

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

In my opinion, to succeed in this sector it is important to be proactive and truly interested in the work. Since we collaborate with colleagues from many different countries, having a good level of English is essential, as well as knowing how to work well in a team — something my Master’s program prepared me for. Because this field is very competitive, another key quality is personal branding, as it helps you stand out among many talented people, especially at the beginning of your career. Unlike what many might think, I believe that technical skills are not the most important at this stage, because you can always learn what you need with some effort and, above all, proactivity.

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

The Master in Management fully met my expectations, as it complemented my engineering background with the economic, managerial, and entrepreneurial knowledge I was missing. I particularly appreciated the strong focus on group projects in most courses, as well as the fact that they contributed to the final grade. I believe this approach helped me develop teamwork and problem-solving skills that are essential in my current job. In addition, I consider the Field Project a real added value of the program.
In my opinion, it should be offered together with the internship rather than as an alternative, since both experiences are extremely valuable for students entering the job market.

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

As I mentioned before, the practical group projects allowed me to strengthen my teamwork skills, as well as my presentation abilities, which are now essential in any role. In addition, specific courses such as Entrepreneurship, Operations Management, and Research Methods were very helpful in preparing market analyses and reports, skills I used frequently during the project planning and proposal phase when I first joined the company.

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

I would suggest that new graduates make full use of the USI Career Service, as it is an essential resource for guidance and networking opportunities. I would also advise them not to be timid, to be proactive, and to take ownership of their own career path.