"Don't let your family history, your educational path, or any other 'voice' distract you from following your dreams. If you believe they can be realized, pursue your goals."

1. NAME - SURNAME

   Micol Dionisi

2. CURRENT COMPANY, ROLE, AND LOCATION

   Carrani Tours Srl, Online Distribution Account Manager, Rome HQ

3. EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE: STUDY PROGRAM/MASTER/DOCTORATE

   Master’s Degree in Conference Interpreting

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AFTER GRADUATION? DO YOU THINK IT HELPED YOU GET A POSITION WITH THE COMPANY YOU WORK FOR?

   Right after graduation, I began offering “individual lesson packages” both in my native language, Italian, and in other languages from my academic and university studies. A few months later, I was contacted by the company where I had worked during the summers as a teenager to join the Business Development team, and I started working under contract. I believe every experience in the professional world has shaped me as a person and as a professional, and similarly, I think my personal life has always been influenced, for better or worse, by my professional choices.

5. CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

   I work in the commercial department of one of the oldest and most well-known tour operators in our country. The company mission is to bring the history, culture, and magnificent tradition of Italy into the lives and travel memories of foreign visitors who choose our products and services. My role is to search for, inform, maintain, and increase the production of commercial accounts (B2B) that distribute our products on various online platforms. I define the commercial strategy for each account in agreement with the ownership, monitor the production of the various clients, and am responsible for communication with the contacts at those companies. In addition, other tasks in my daily work can include translating/reviewing company informational material in business languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), analyzing production data, participating in fairs and company and industry events, etc. Currently, I manage a team member.

6. IS THERE A MISTAKE YOU MADE IN YOUR EARLY JOB SEARCH THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SO OTHERS DON'T REPEAT IT?

   Perhaps focusing too much on a sector that, due to family history, I thought I knew better than others; in hindsight, I would have happily started from scratch in a completely new industry. However, I don't regret at all what I've sought and achieved so far!

7. WHAT SKILLS OR CHARACTERISTICS HAVE HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

   The so-called transferable skills, that is, all those characteristics or qualities that are essentially applicable to a variety of work contexts. I’ve always excelled in communication, both written and oral; I’m an empathetic person and always available to my colleagues at all hierarchical levels, without distinction. While problematic situations can understandably stress me out over time, my nature is to always analyze the situation and find a solution for as many people as possible. I am highly flexible and can adapt easily to very different contexts. I manage my time well, both professionally and personally, and I believe I have strong leadership abilities but can also work at my best in a team environment. The study of languages and cultures of different countries has opened my mind to diverse worlds and contexts, and the specialization in conference interpreting has equipped me with valuable tools for analysis, reworking, and synthesizing, making me extremely effective in my work.

8. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE A RECENT GRADUATE WHO WANTS TO PURSUE YOUR PROFESSION?

   First and foremost, I would advise traveling, if possible, to personally experience the beauties of our country, as well as the challenges often related to the operational management of some of Italy's most important tourist destinations. Open yourself to the cultures and stories of other countries, because only then can we create a true bridge and attract tourists who are able to engage in a mutual exchange of knowledge, love for others, respect, and sharing, which should be the foundation of life in a national, European, and global community. I believe that any practical skill is acquired through hands-on experience, through daily work, and can be passed on through good training. However, what I mentioned above cannot be transmitted. It’s part of who we are, how we live and view life, and how we’ve been raised and accustomed to thinking.

9. LINK TO LINKEDIN PROFILE