A 24-year journey: my experience at Italtel

My first day at work

The first day I set foot as an employee at Italtel was Tuesday 3 October 2000. It has stayed with me as one of life’s milestones. To tell the truth, it was not my first work experience: I had already done some brief university work and a good month as a maths and physics teacher in a high school in the Milanese hinterland. But in my mind ‘my first day at work’ remains that at Italtel. I had not yet turned 25.

I remember with particular clarity the meeting with the two young men who started with me, the words with which the secretary greeted me when I reached the third shed, the handshake of ‘my’ manager who came out of a meeting specifically to welcome me, the first lunch with my new colleagues… and from that moment on, during these 24 years, my journey has always been full of encounters and friendships with so many interesting people, rich both humanly and professionally.

Different roles, new skills Over the years, I have had the opportunity to take on different roles, each of which has enriched my skills and knowledge. I started as a software designer, a role that taught me the importance of precision and organisation. Over time, I moved on to less technical and more managerial roles, where I was able to develop leadership and team management skills, and then moved into corporate communications. Each change of role has been a new challenge, but also a valuable opportunity to learn and grow.

Growth through continuous training

One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been the opportunity to continue studying. From the very first weeks on the job, Italtel gave me access to intense and varied training, full of useful content for a broader view of my role in the company, from technical courses in programming languages to effective time and meeting management to language courses. Thanks to this training, I also got to know colleagues from other company functions, with whom I then collaborated in the following years. Continuous training has been crucial in constantly improving my skills.

Study and work

When I came to work in the communication group, I realised that I wanted to acquire solid skills to be able to work better in an area I did not know much about. Thanks to the 150 hours provided by the right to study, I was able to attend courses and refresher courses at university level. This commitment culminated in a degree in Media Languages, an achievement that greatly enriched my professional profile and allowed me to bring new skills and perspectives to the company.

The challenges of disability

Another aspect that I have always appreciated about working at Italtel is the attention that has always been shown to me to guarantee me equal opportunities in carrying out my activities, even in times when sensitivity on the issue was not as widespread as it is today. In fact, I am visually impaired. However, my disability has never been an insuperable problem for the fulfilment of my tasks or the achievement of objectives. This is because I had the great fortune to meet open-minded people at Italtel who made sure I was in the physical and moral condition to give my 100 per cent

I say physical conditions to refer to the working tools, in terms of special configurations, larger monitors, reserved desk, choice of the workstation with the best brightness, and many other small and large attentions.

And I also say moral conditions because looks and treatment have an important influence on the perception of one’s ‘diversity’. The people I have worked with have shown a sensitivity and delicacy that have always made me feel adequate and in the right place, starting with my managers of yesterday and today, human resources, colleagues and even suppliers.

Pandemic and teamwork

The pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge for all of us. Working remotely became the norm, but adapting to this new reality was not so difficult. We had already been experimenting with smart working for a few years, and this was one of the factors, along with the ability to adapt to the extraordinary situation, to keep productivity high and ensure business continuity. It was a difficult period, but we also proved our resilience.

Passing personal tests

During this past year, I have also faced significant personal challenges. I underwent two surgeries and went through a rather heavy period of therapy. The company supported me, allowing me to adapt my work pace to the available energy.

These times were tough, but the warmth and solidarity shown to me by my colleagues, both near and far, was a source of energy that gave me comfort, helped me not to break down and indeed pushed me to recover quickly. With their visits, messages, and calls full of affection, colleagues have been truly incredible! This closeness and support from the team showed me how valuable it is to work in an environment where people support each other.

Conclusions

My journey in the company has been a mix of growth, learning and overcoming challenges. Every experience, every role I have held and every difficulty I have overcome has contributed to making me the person I am today. I am grateful for the opportunities I have received and for the constant support of the company and my colleagues.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey and will continue to be a part of it.

Special thanks

Thank you for reading my story, the story of a 24-year journey, lived intensely and with passion, in a company that has been able to offer me not only a job, but real personal and professional growth

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