"Being surrounded by enthusiastic and challenging people continuously pushes you to give your best."

Beatrice

What has brought you to zeb?

I was enrolled in the CEMS MIM program at Bocconi University when I first heard about zeb. In my last semester, I had to choose both a company and a topic for the final group business project. zeb offered an interesting project on creating an NPL transaction platform. This project was challenging and interesting, but there was something else that struck me: the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere that I experienced. I was fascinated by the idea of working in such a great environment and since I was already interested in a consulting career, I decided to apply. Guess how it ended! 

What makes zeb special?

There are two things I really like about zeb. Firstly, as already mentioned, there is the atmosphere, which is the best I could hope for. People are friendly, motivated and true experts in what they do. Being surrounded by enthusiastic and knowledgeable people has a big impact on me, especially on my willingness to do my best. I always feel truly motivated to go one step further. Secondly, I like the fact that zeb has remained true to its academic roots. Once a year, we are given the opportunity to all meet and attend lectures and presentations on current banking and insurance trends. Furthermore, we can join so-called practice groups, where we can focus on the developments of specific topics, from agile project management to new trends in digital financial services and payments. With all these stimuli, it is difficult not to become passionate about what you do.  

What are your responsibilities at zeb?

So far, I was involved in bank-related projects. The topics encountered varied widely: from improving a company’s risk management policies and tools to developing a new product for sealing a partnership among three institutions. My main responsibilities include supporting the team, preparing documents and participating in all the discussions aimed at finding the most suitable solutions for the client’s needs. 

Which skills does zeb require for somebody in your position?

LComing from my junior position, I would say that, besides some basic PowerPoint and Excel skills, which I’m sure 99% of students already have, the most important are the so-called soft skills. In my opinion, curiosity, along with the willingness to genuinely get involved as well as having an open and flexible mind, are the most powerful skills to develop. 

What would you say to students who are interested in consulting?

I would tell them to “go for it”. I believe that an experience in consulting is very formative, even if you’re not sure whether this is what you want to do for the rest of your life. Consulting gives you the opportunity to meet interesting and motivated people, to spend time on different projects, plus, in the case of zeb, specialize in your own area of interest. Don’t miss this opportunity!