"It's important to do a job you love, but it's even more important to find what you love in a job. This will help you discover your strengths and create your ideal career path."

1) NAME AND SURNAME
Eleonora Presani

2) CURRENT COMPANY, ROLE, AND LOCATION
Program Manager at Meta, based in New York

3) EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE: DEGREE/MASTER’S/PhD
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Physics at Trieste, followed by a Master’s degree in Particle Physics, also in Trieste.

4) FURTHER EDUCATION (OTHER UNIVERSITIES: COURSES/MASTER’S/PhD)
PhD in Astroparticle Physics at the University of Amsterdam, followed by a postdoc at CERN, focusing on particle detection from space.

5) CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
From a young age, I’ve been passionate about science and understanding the fundamental principles of nature. This led me to study physics and cosmology. Over time, I became increasingly curious not only about nature itself but also about how humans interpret it and utilize it to develop new technologies. This interest brought me to the field of product management, where the interaction between technology and human nature is central.

6) WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Working on the ethics of artificial intelligence is a dream come true. It allows me to expand my knowledge of physics by integrating it with neuroscience, social sciences, and ethics. Every day I learn something new, and at the same time, I know I’m working on topics and products that impact billions of people worldwide, giving value and meaning to what I do.

7) WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE?
At the University, I learned how to learn, which is a gift that can only be achieved through high-quality academic education. In life, success requires a commitment to lifelong learning and the ability to develop both analytical and synthetic thinking. Beyond the specific field of study, the ability to tackle challenging, unfamiliar problems is the key to success, and it’s the most important thing I learned during my university years.

8) WHAT SKILLS OR CHARACTERISTICS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR JOB?
The main traits of a successful Product Manager are analytical and technical skills, initiative, communication and presentation abilities, and the capacity to lead without commanding. The Product Manager serves as the bridge between engineers, executives, designers, marketers, and the public. It cannot work without technical knowledge, but it also cannot succeed without empathy and communication skills.

9) WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT GRADUATE LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST JOB?
I would advise against focusing on finding the perfect job right after university. Instead, aim to gain diverse work experiences to identify your strengths and passions. Having an international experience and becoming proficient in English, if not already, is essential.