Greetings from the Deloitte Branch Milano

Before departing for an Italian adventure, I interviewed with the Big Four accounting firms in the hopes of obtaining a summer internship. Luckily, after a couple of “Big” offers and one extremely “Big” decision, I chose Deloitte & Touche as the place to commence my career. A tremendous factor in my decision-making process lies in the fact that Deloitte is a cohesive company that offers expansive opportunities for growth – opportunities that can only exist within an international firm.

The view from the outdoors, the red building consists mostly of tax assistants.

Upon arriving in Italy, I was aware of the fact that Deloitte had a branch located in the city of Milan. After speaking to my recruiter, Matthew Ryder, and expressing my interest in exploring the office, Matt went out of his way to put me in contact with Michael Montanti, a US matters consultant currently working abroad in Deloitte Milan. This arrangement is a perfect example of how Deloitte truly facilitates in opening doors and expanding upon my personal potential as a successful businesswoman.

Entering the Milan office truly was an exciting experience; located in Porta Genova, one of the most old-fashioned districts in Milan, the branch consisted of two brightly colored buildings.

Michael met me in the yellow building of the two, and within a few short hours had managed to accurately convey both the knowledge and insight it had taken him years to gain. We touched upon the importance of time management and honesty; Michael opened my eyes to the future and the true power within my own personal decisions. He emphasized the fact that it is all about the way you utilize your time; you don’t have to be the first one in the office and the last one to leave – however you must remain efficient, committed, and focused.

It’s true; there have been plenty of times when I have failed to maintain consistent attention in class – dazing off in lectures partly because the material is somewhat dry and partly because the teachers manage to repeat the same five phrases over and over again (one major flaw in attending a school where English is the second language). Yet, in the world of business, and in most firms throughout the US, behavior like this will keep you stagnant.

After meeting with Michael, I left the office feeling invigorated; enlightened by the knowledge I had just gained, and the two of us met with a few of his colleagues for lunch at the restaurant Boccino. After un pesce spada alla grigliata, un espresso, and a brief conversation with one of the partners, I was on my way home, with a metro ride left to reflect on my experience.

Speaking with Michael, a man who has been with Deloitte for over eight years, allowed me to gain practical insight into the world of business. When entering the workforce, it is crucial to go in with a clear understanding of your own personal goals and objectives in regards to both your career and life in general. Without this as a sturdy basis, one can easily fail to establish a strong work-life balance and as a result, can easily become swallowed by the industry. In addition, maintaining a positive energy and affirmative outlook are necessary, especially when the work you are embarking on can at times seem tedious.

The view from the foyer

When it comes to progressing as a professional it is essential to remain aware of your personal goals and stay focused in regards to timing. There is a “sweet spot” for everything, and when it comes to a firm as fast paced as Deloitte this moment in time arises for a few brief seconds at most. Therefore it is crucial to observe the situation, consistently work towards your goals, and yet find the right moment to act upon them – taking advantage of this “sweet spot.” When I think of such a prestigious international firm such as Deloitte I think of opportunity. Unfortunately, without the proper focus these opportunities will drift right by without stopping to look back.

Overall, Deloitte has established an amazing sense of brand awareness which has in turn allowed the company to infiltrate a majority of areas across the globe. The firm has an amazing sense of community, and it is Deloitte’s sense of connectivity that has allowed the firm to successfully act upon the true potential behind establishing an international network.