Alumni Stories - Daniele Graverini

Daniele Graverini, born in Arezzo, Italy, received his Master's Degree in International Management at the University of Bologna in 2017.

After living in Dublin, Bangkok, and San Francisco, he has now settled in Barcelona. Here, ​​he holds the role of Team Lead at Mind the Bridge, an international advisory firm working at the intersection of corporates and startups, helping them throughout their Innovation value chain.

Daniele, you graduated in Political Science and, after evaluating some other options, you chose the International Management course in Bologna. What led you to prefer IM to continue your studies?

My interests have always been quite diversified. During a study experience abroad, I started to be interested in some specific fields such as business and management. Therefore, when I returned to Italy, I started looking for master's degree courses that would allow me to deepen my knowledge in these areas.

I was admitted to both the Rotterdam Business School and another university in Lisbon, but the IM immediately struck me. In fact, it is an exceptionally complete and well-structured study program, especially for those who do not come from economic faculties. 

The main strength is its interdisciplinarity: the course deals with areas ranging from marketing to finance, from project management to entrepreneurship. 

It is an excellent choice not only for those with a degree in economics but also for those coming from other study areas. In a short time, it allows you to gain the necessary management skills, thanks to its practical approach.

I also remember that I positively evaluated the fact that class participants were fewer than the average. This aspect contributes to establishing deep personal relationships with teachers and fellow students.

Among the features most appreciated by IM students is the close bond that is created with other students and the numerous group works organized during the courses. What was your experience like?

Group work was undoubtedly an added value to my study experience.

I learned a lot from my classmates: we spent many hours together thinking, building up our strategies and finishing the work within the allotted deadline. The confrontation was always stimulating, precisely because we came from different backgrounds and heterogeneous study areas.

In general, each teamwork is particularly formative, and especially when you work directly with a company, which exposes problems and assigns tasks. At the end, you have to present your solutions to the company's managers. This approach allows you to experience the working environment truly and test yourself in the real world.

Even after years, the daily work and study routine with the other companions is still a pleasant and vivid memory. The people I worked with were always determined, engaging, and brilliant.

I remember that it was the IM itself that encouraged the creation of bonds between students and professors. The University organized several welcome sessions with professors in a friendly atmosphere. This helped tremendously to make our socialization more spontaneous.

I personally liked working in a group very much. That's why I also chose to write the thesis in a team with another student, also spending a period abroad.

After IM, your career has developed rather quickly. Did you already know what you wanted to do after graduation, or did you discover it during the program? Which of the acquired skills has served you the most in your career?

I can say that I discovered what interested me progressively during the program.

While attending IM, I decided to take the opportunity to do an internship at the Italian embassy in Bangkok. I worked with the economic office of the embassy, ​​writing reports and analyzing business opportunities for Italian companies in South East Asia. On that occasion, I was able to verify how useful my mixed background actually was, even in very different contexts.

Right after my graduation, thanks to the support of the professor with whom I developed the thesis, I started an internship at Mind the Bridge's headquarters in San Francisco. Shortly after, it naturally developed into a full-time job at the company.

During that period, together with another former student, I founded the IM Mentorship Program. It is a network of alumni aimed at helping students understand the direction they wish to give their future career.

Finally, towards the end of 2019, I moved to work in Barcelona (still with Mind the Bridge), ​​where I live today.

At IM, I learned a little bit of everything I do today. Especially when working in a small company, it is essential to have both analytical and commercial skills. Combining multidisciplinary preparation and more generic soft skills gives you an edge because it makes you more versatile.

Bologna is home to the oldest University in the Western world. In your opinion, why is it the ideal city in which to live as a student?

I am convinced that Bologna is the best place in the world to stay for anyone who has to undertake a university experience.

Due to the size of the city, everything is relatively close. There are never great distances to travel, and despite being a lively city with an intense cultural life, it is never chaotic. In addition, the presence of the University and the multitude of students facilitate the development of relationships and guarantee ease of socialization.

Bologna also has a strategic geographical position. It is the region's capital, and for this reason, it is equipped with infrastructures that facilitate both international travels and visits to other Italian cities. It also boasts excellence in the automotive, culinary and artistic fields while heavily investing in innovation by encouraging collaboration between universities and businesses.

From this point of view, IM, thanks to the numerous corporate partnerships, allows you to appreciate and take advantage of the rich entrepreneurial fabric of the larger metropolitan area.

Finally, is there any advice you would like to give to a future IM student?

Today I am very satisfied with my study and career path, and I am doing things that I would never have thought of before IM.

Therefore, my advice is to take all the opportunities offered by the program. Commit seriously and with determination during classes, and be open to learning from everyone, both classmates and teachers.

  The result can only be a success.