To showcase examples of talent and determination, we collected the testimonies of four of our colleagues from across the Group who have turned their scientific passion into a career.
Federica Carbone (Master’s Degree in Energy and Nuclear Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin) is an energy management specialist. She is responsible for monitoring consumption and identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency. An important role model inspired her career path: “My mother graduated in Mathematics and Physics in the 1980s, when there were even fewer women in these fields than there are today. She never saw the lack of women in these areas as an obstacle; she was too focused on what she liked.” Federica applies this lesson to her daily life: “There is no progress without curiosity. Analysing data means asking the right questions and looking for the reasons behind phenomena”.
Fulvia Carfagnini (Master’s Degree in Engineering for the Environment and the Territory from the University of Trento) works in the Prevention and Protection department at Acciaierie di Verona. She promotes health and safety as a shared value rather than a mere formal obligation. “The STEM programme taught me a structured approach to work, and I now use this method to tackle projects and critical issues,” she says. The soft skills she has acquired over the years are reflected in her collaborative approach. “Teamwork is essential. Weighing up different opinions, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines are daily challenges, just as they were at university.”
Anna De Monte (Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Trieste) is a laboratory analyst at Ferriere Nord. “At secondary school, I loved arts and humanities, and struggled with chemistry. At the time, I did not have a clear direction yet,” she admits. The turning point came during a laboratory session at university: “I fell in love with chemistry while working in the lab. It was difficult to change direction, retake exams, and challenge myself all over again, but it was the right choice.” Today, she manages both operational activities and laboratory systems. “The practical and administrative roles complement each other perfectly and reflect my nature.”
Lastly, Silvia De Sio (PhD in Colloidal Physics/Biophysics from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf) is a process technologist at Siderpotenza, who deals with the complexities of melting processes on a daily basis. “My first encounter with the world of steelmaking left me in a state of amazement and curiosity,” she says. “The facilities are extremely complex, but they are managed by a network of people who collaborate with craft-like precision.” It is a demanding environment, but also a stimulating one. “I did not expect to work in the steel industry, but today I could not imagine a context more suited to my scientific training.”
