We talked to International Master in Management graduate Matteo Arienti about his experience at EADA and his position as an analyst in Deloitte Luxembourg. Matteo holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Business Administration from Bocconi University and he came to EADA for the international environment, the prestigious reputation and the possibility to develop his knowledge in the management and business fields. After graduating from the Master in Management, Matteo completed a double degree at EDHEC through the EADA exchange programme.
Tell us a bit about your current position. What qualities are the most important for this position?
I am currently working as an analyst in the Strategy, Regulatory and Corporate Finance Department of Deloitte Consulting Luxembourg. My day-to-day job is characterised by working for clients mainly in the banking and financial sector, delivering strategic and operational solutions for the current and future business challenges.
A junior consultant like me is expected to be reliable in the deliverables, collaborative in working with colleagues and managers, and structured in the performance of analysis and recommendations.
EADA’s teaching methodology, with a strong focus on case studies, trained me to face challenges with a consulting approach, analysing and breaking down a problem in order to find the best solutions.
How did EADA prepare you for your career after graduation?
EADA’s International Master in Management gave me a holistic view of the company, emphasising the importance of connecting and aligning the strategic objectives of all areas of business. This prepared me to face threats coming from competition, changing trends and emerging technologies.
Furthermore, the Final Project provided me with a valuable opportunity to work as a consultant in a company, and gain experience on helping a business to grow, develop its offers and target the right customers.
Finally, the international environment at EADA prepared me to work and get in contact with a wide variety of cultures, which is fundamental in today’s globalised world. As a city, Barcelona is the perfect place to get in contact with different cultures, in the context of a very dynamic economy and social environment.
What aspects of what you learned at EADA to do you use in your day-to-day at work?
EADA’s teaching methodology, with a strong focus on case studies, trained me to face challenges with a consulting approach, analysing and breaking down a problem in order to find the best solutions. The great importance given to teamwork has optimally prepared me for my daily work: as a junior consultant, I am always collaborating with my colleagues to deliver recommendations to the clients.
How would you describe your transformation at EADA?
EADA’s master was my first academic experience abroad, and it has profoundly changed me from a professional and personal point of view. It has strongly enriched and completed my competences as a student, and it has given me the possibility to grow as a person, become independent and rely on myself to face the challenges of a new environment.
How important have soft skills been in your career?
The thorough preparation that EADA provides in soft skills has been particularly valuable to me – these skills help me in every personal relation that I establish, not only in the professional world.
Soft skills are a fundamental asset in consulting, due to the extreme importance of the human aspect in all the business decisions taken. In my current position, I am always in contact with managers and clients, and I need to be adaptable and have the right empathy to communicate with clarity and tailor my message to the audience.
What advice would you offer to graduates who want to develop their careers in the Big 4?
Deloitte is characterised by a strong international presence, which gives the possibility to develop your career in a wide variety of countries, with different types of economies and cultures. The work environment is strongly multicultural, which makes soft skills and cultural intelligence fundamental.
When applying, it is very important to know the characteristics and prominent sectors of the country where you want to work.
In my case, my objective was to start my career in the finance industry: I am often involved in projects for the banking sector, which is predominant in the Luxembourg economy.
You participated in EADA’s double degree programme at EDHEC. How do you think that what you learned there has helped you in your career?
The exchange allowed me to get experience with the culture of another country and extend my network. I chose a double degree focused on consulting, which enabled me to further tailor my expertise for my desired future career.