I’m part of both the Operations and Business Development teams, based in our Frascati office, in Italy. I love the variety and predictability of my job.
What’s your role?
I’m an assistant in the Operations and Business Development teams in Frascati, Italy. I’ve worked for the company since December 2020, so I recently reached my 4-year anniversary.
What’s a typical day in your working life like?
You could describe my job using the term ‘secretary’, but it is far more varied than that word makes it seem! For example, my work doesn’t involve making coffee for my two managers, but instead I arrange their meetings with clients and other staff, take care of the mail and deal with external clients and suppliers, and relevant external agencies.
I also work with the Legal Department on compliance requirements with Italian laws and regulations. I love documents and reading, so that helps enormously!
I live in Rome, the biggest city in Italy geographically, so it usually takes 1 hour to travel to work. And I’m lucky, because in the morning I am heading towards the outskirts to reach Frascati and then back to Rome in the evening, so I’m travelling in the opposite direction to the main traffic. But that said, commuting is still busy and unpredictable. However, I love coming to the office because I have the opportunity to chat and laugh with my colleagues during breaks. It makes working so much more enjoyable.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I love most about my job is its predictability. I like to have an organised schedule and most of the time, at least, I have tasks, meetings and activities at certain times.
Of course, I’m happy to receive unscheduled requests from my managers, colleagues or suppliers. Sometimes the work becomes a little overwhelming, but I always work through this because above all, I really enjoy my job and being around my colleagues.
What has been your most memorable career highlight?
That would be when I helped the team work towards compliance with Italian DL 231 [a national legislative decree], to the point of it being included in the Board of Directors’ agenda of June 2021. It was such an achievement that we celebrated with a glass of wine!
Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in your area of expertise?
It definitely helps to have previous experience in this area or a background in corporate management. Companies like Starion also look for skills and aptitude like team working, respect for your colleagues, regard for confidentiality, productivity and initiative.
How do you wind down?
I totally switch off once I am out of the office door… well, 95% of the time. In fact, the 1-hour trip back to Rome does the trick, as I usually get stuck into whatever book I’m reading and read all the way home on the bus. Once home I listen to podcasts, go out for grocery shopping or go to Mass, but going to the gym is my main way to empty my mind of any preoccupations.