For 23 years, our company has been hosting students through school-to-work programs. To date, we have supported 34 experiences involving both high schools and universities.
The goal is simple, yet essential: to help young people—students today, professionals tomorrow—gain real, hands-on exposure to the world of work.
What am I suited for? What am I good at? What job do I dream of? Do I prefer independence or being part of an organization? A large company or a smaller one?
These are the questions students should ask themselves in the final years of their studies to shape their future path. Internships also serve this purpose: helping turn those questions into answers.
In my role as a company tutor, I have always had meaningful experiences and have tried to pass on to young people a working method, the ability to set clear goals, and to measure them.
Because often what parents and teachers say does not leave a lasting impression—but when the same message comes from someone who lives the working world every day, perspectives change and engagement becomes real.
This is where we entrepreneurs also become educators: we guide young people in building their personal and professional identity.
It is not easy. It requires time, energy, skills, and a great deal of passion.
But I can say this with certainty: I have received more than I have given, both on a human and a business level.
Students bring a fresh perspective: new ideas, creative feedback, and viewpoints that we, immersed in our daily routines, often fail to see.
And there is something truly powerful in seeing a young person turn what they have learned into real activities that are actually used within the company.
However, things do not always work perfectly: sometimes there is a lack of involvement from school tutors, and too many companies still do not believe in these programs. This is a missed opportunity for mutual growth.
This year once again, we chose to get involved by hosting a second-year student from ITS Academy Machina Lonati, Business Development Manager course at Istituto Maria Ausiliatrice in Lecco. And once again, it has gone very well. We welcomed Redon Gjergji, and we have now passed the halfway point of the 800 hours of in-company training required by the program.
Redon is motivated, sharp, intelligent, and proactive. From the very beginning, we raised the bar by involving him in strategic activities as well, to offer him a truly valuable and hands-on experience.
I would like to close with the question I asked him during our first meeting:
“What is your main motivation for this internship?”
His answer?
“To learn as much as possible.”
That’s where it all begins.
To build SOMETHING MEANINGFUL, TOGETHER.
