Catching up with … Alice de Benetti

Alice de Benetti works as Global Search Marketing Manager at Swarovski. She talks to ad astra about how studying at two universities can work, how quickly markets change, and what happens when a university is open to everyone.

“Informatics: the hottest study program these days!”

Alice de Benetti studied the Double Degree Information Technology at the University of Klagenfurt and Udine. This programme promotes international networking and personal development and improves cross-border career opportunities as an information manager. This is what we advertise, and this is precisely what de Benetti has strived for and achieved her goal. She works at the company’s headquarters in Switzerland, while her team is scattered around the globe. The challenging task of managing an international team is one she has been looking for and one that requires her and her colleagues to constantly evolve every day.

“Constant learning and recognizing challenges and opportunities is ingrained in our DNA.”

As technologies change, de Benetti focuses on recognizing how people and their behaviors adapt to the new technology. That, in turn, impacts the company’s market. De Benetti and her team identify these, tune teams to them and recommend courses of action.

“I am very proud to work for Swarovski. The company operates internationally and thus has a global concept, which lets me look at topics from many different angles. My colleagues are open-minded and charismatic, and at the same time uncomplicated, so everyone feels very comfortable. Our managers inspire and make us feel like we are on the same level as colleagues. So we give our best every day and identify with Swarovski’s culture.”

A straightforward career path

The framework of the double degree drew de Benetti to the University of Klagenfurt and the University of Udine. The international approach was critical to her, and she believes the degree provided the ideal foundation for her future job. It was also an important step to get to know both universities, foreign places and fellow students. Being new and, at the same time, feeling very comfortable was a meaningful experience. “My studies have had a strong impact on my skills, and I realized after graduation what a huge competitive advantage it gave me. Today I recognize even better that there is a strong demand for technology graduates*. The degree program prepared me ideally for the challenges I would face later on, and so I was able to follow my path from my studies, to my internship, to my current job in the best possible way.”

One university for all

Studying at two universities was challenging and enriching in equal measure. She was able to take advantage of the best of both universities. At the University of Klagenfurt, she was particularly impressed that the university is open throughout (24/7). “It is thus accessible to everyone, and it was a great experience for me to be able to come here at any time. In Italy, we didn’t have this possibility. I remember how we studied for exams late into the night with fellow students. The university always appeared in a completely different light because of the silence of the night, because you only know the campus as busy and full of movement. It’s a great approach: it allowed me to develop with the university fully.”

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -Saint Francis of Assisi

For de Benetti, setting the right personal and professional goals is crucial. In doing so, she incorporates her work-life balance. “For me, it’s important to work with passion and never give up. If you do something with passion, you’ve already won, and it’s easier to achieve your goals.”