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COVID Test Centers To The Federal Reserve: How A Master's Degree Can Help You Transform Society

A master’s degree doesn’t just lead to top jobs at private companies. We spoke to two graduates from Bocconi University, now working in the public sector using their master’s to impact society

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Thu Aug 20 2020

BusinessBecause

Elena Falcettoni | Economist at the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors


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Given Elena’s foundation in finance, many might have expected that she’d pursue a career at a top investment bank. 

She tried it out, with in-company training at Deutsche Bank and BlackRock, but she soon realized that she craved something that played more to her strengths. 

“Investment banking was interesting but felt a bit repetitive, and it wasn't about creating knowledge. I realised that I wanted to use the tools and training I had for something else,” Elena reveals. 

While doing her MSc in Finance at Bocconi, she was keen to broaden her outlook, and set about exploring the other opportunities that lay ahead for her. 

Elena was exposed to a highly international MSc in Finance program, which deepened what she already knew about finance. “You get trained as a person who is in an international program, and not as a person who should go straight to the closest bank and work there. The mindset from the get-go is that you are a citizen of the world.”

It also motivated her to drive changes in areas of finance that she wasn’t happy with, namely the gender imbalance in the industry. At Bocconi, she co-founded the Women in Business Association, which still exists to this day. 

“This came out of a desire to create a community for women, which would bring together great role models, showing the many different paths and fields of business, and letting women network with one another so they can know what opportunities lay in front of them.”


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From a PhD to the Federal Reserve

Approaching the end of her MSc in Finance at Bocconi, a PhD in the US beckoned, and Elena was keen to put some of her knowledge and skills to good use. 

The analytical and practical mindset that she had built at Bocconi helped her to make this transition. “The MSc in Finance at Bocconi is very quantitative. That's one thing that you really need for a PhD in economics.”

Her PhD focused on industrial organization and health economics—”Using structural models of supply and demand to analyse how specific health markets work.” 

This led her to her current job at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where she is continuing her research as an economist, hoping to implement policy which could impact access to healthcare for millions.

Her research is looking at the shortage of physicians in rural areas in the US, and how to use financial incentives to try and address this imbalance. “Physicians are high income people, so they really like living in places with better amenities. That's what it came down to—a trade off in the mind of the physician.”

Real life problems require practical solutions. One of Elena’s biggest takeaways from Bocconi was that any theorizing has to be backed up by action.

“My MSc in Finance was very practical, and it's the same kind of idea of using very quantitative tools to address real life issues,” she says. “As an applied economist, that’s what I’m still doing, just at a higher level.”

Student Reviews

Bocconi University

Edoardo

Verified

25/01/2022

Blended

Everything was great ( apart from the covid part)

I really enjoyed this experience because I built a really strong relationship with other students and professors. This fact has permitted me to grow as a person and also to improve my academic background by confronting myself with other people. I would encourage Bocconi to create a new method of exams for online courses (I have experienced it during the covid-19 period) because they could not manage to control and to avoid shameless situations such as software breakdowns just before the exams.

Student

Verified

8/11/2021

On Campus

Amazing course

The workload is really heavy, but that’s the only way to prepare students for the job market. Bocconi offers also many services to help students kick off their careers. Overall, Bocconi University Masters Degree is the best option for ambitious students and the best choice among Italian and maybe European universities.

Student

Verified

24/07/2020

A great experience

A fundamental experience to understand what I want to do in life. In the three years I attended Bocconi University, I laid the foundations for my business education. I will always be grateful to it. I absolutely recommend it.

Alessandra

Verified

26/06/2020

Bocconi: Italian Quality

The great thing about this University is that it is one of the few Italian universities offering such international programs. My course is unique and doesn't exist anywhere else, so if you like arts and economics, Bocconi is the best place. The course provides both subjects concerning arts/philosophy, and ones more related to economics. Personally, I have decided to follow a different path because I am not so interested in working in this specific field, but this course is totally worth it if you want to work in a creative industry. Indeed, it gives people with a passion for luxury, arts and so on with a complete knowledge concerning management. The best part has been the great support offered by the University in every aspect, going from on-campus facilities to monthly job fairs to better understand the kind of career we want to pursue. This is often taken for granted in Italian universities.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Professional and amazing

Very well organized university. I have studied Financial management and I graduated with 108/110. The teachers are really good and professional. The university has all the facilities and the services are professional. I really enjoyed studying in a professional and international environment. Bocconi has played an important role in finding my actual job!

Student

Verified

28/10/2019

Great university which gives wonderful placement opportunities.

I really like Bocconi. What I appreciated the most was the high level of teaching and the opportunities given in terms of placement and networking connections. I strongly recommend this university if you want to pursue a great working career.

Student

Verified

27/10/2019

Beautiful environment

Beautiful community of students with lots of opportunities for in-campus activities. The university offers 8 residences near the campus, perfect for freshmen at the first year in Milan. Professors are very prepared and always ready to help students

Student

Verified

24/03/2018

An outstanding university

The great efficiency and organization, the high quality of teaching, and the possibility to take part in many interesting and useful experiences make Bocconi University stand out. It distinguishes itself from the Italian academic background. Many people say Bocconi is too stressful, but to me, it’s worth it.

Student

Verified

20/03/2018

Excellent

Bocconi is outstanding university. Among the best in Italy. The international franework helps students to get involved in projects/associations that enrich the campus. I study law and i’ m happy about my 4 years and experiences that i had the opportunity to

Edoardo

Verified

25/01/2022

Blended

Everything was great ( apart from the covid part)

I really enjoyed this experience because I built a really strong relationship with other students and professors. This fact has permitted me to grow as a person and also to improve my academic background by confronting myself with other people. I would encourage Bocconi to create a new method of exams for online courses (I have experienced it during the covid-19 period) because they could not manage to control and to avoid shameless situations such as software breakdowns just before the exams.

Student

Verified

8/11/2021

On Campus

Amazing course

The workload is really heavy, but that’s the only way to prepare students for the job market. Bocconi offers also many services to help students kick off their careers. Overall, Bocconi University Masters Degree is the best option for ambitious students and the best choice among Italian and maybe European universities.

Student

Verified

24/07/2020

A great experience

A fundamental experience to understand what I want to do in life. In the three years I attended Bocconi University, I laid the foundations for my business education. I will always be grateful to it. I absolutely recommend it.

Alessandra

Verified

26/06/2020

Bocconi: Italian Quality

The great thing about this University is that it is one of the few Italian universities offering such international programs. My course is unique and doesn't exist anywhere else, so if you like arts and economics, Bocconi is the best place. The course provides both subjects concerning arts/philosophy, and ones more related to economics. Personally, I have decided to follow a different path because I am not so interested in working in this specific field, but this course is totally worth it if you want to work in a creative industry. Indeed, it gives people with a passion for luxury, arts and so on with a complete knowledge concerning management. The best part has been the great support offered by the University in every aspect, going from on-campus facilities to monthly job fairs to better understand the kind of career we want to pursue. This is often taken for granted in Italian universities.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Professional and amazing

Very well organized university. I have studied Financial management and I graduated with 108/110. The teachers are really good and professional. The university has all the facilities and the services are professional. I really enjoyed studying in a professional and international environment. Bocconi has played an important role in finding my actual job!

Student

Verified

28/10/2019

Great university which gives wonderful placement opportunities.

I really like Bocconi. What I appreciated the most was the high level of teaching and the opportunities given in terms of placement and networking connections. I strongly recommend this university if you want to pursue a great working career.

Student

Verified

27/10/2019

Beautiful environment

Beautiful community of students with lots of opportunities for in-campus activities. The university offers 8 residences near the campus, perfect for freshmen at the first year in Milan. Professors are very prepared and always ready to help students

Student

Verified

24/03/2018

An outstanding university

The great efficiency and organization, the high quality of teaching, and the possibility to take part in many interesting and useful experiences make Bocconi University stand out. It distinguishes itself from the Italian academic background. Many people say Bocconi is too stressful, but to me, it’s worth it.

Student

Verified

20/03/2018

Excellent

Bocconi is outstanding university. Among the best in Italy. The international franework helps students to get involved in projects/associations that enrich the campus. I study law and i’ m happy about my 4 years and experiences that i had the opportunity to

Yangxin

Verified

27/03/2024

On Campus

Excellent university full of opportunities

I had almost zero experience in business before coming to Bocconi. However, this did not hinder my career prospects here. I was fortunate to receive valuable opportunities such as in-company training and internships. Through these experiences, I gained invaluable practical insights into various business scenarios, becoming more acquainted with the real business world. Before arriving here, I had not learned Italian, which initially made me concerned about possible cultural or language barriers. Bocconi offers Italian language courses that proved indispensable in helping me adapt to Milan during my days here. Additionally, my Italian classmates have been incredibly welcoming, assisting me with cultural adjustments and willingly serving as language partners to help with my Italian language learning journey. My two-year life here has become both manageable and enjoyable. In conclusion, I would recommend this university to those people who are eager to embrace a future brimming with opportunities.

Alex

Verified

28/03/2024

On Campus

So many opportunities

Bocconi has been an amazing journey for me, filled with growth and opportunities, both on a professional and personal level. The professors teaching the International Management Master's are of really high quality and they were able to transfer some much "knowledge that matters", thanks also to the many teamworking experiences during the course. Bocconi also allowed me to experience a double degree program with ESADE, which taught me a lot both in terms of professional development, as well as allowing me to expand my network of international students even further. Overall, Bocconi unleashed plenty of opportunities I could not foresee before joining the university and that I'm really grateful for and excited to dive into.

Marina

Verified

30/03/2024

On Campus

Invest in your knowledge

Bocconi offers plenty of opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional. I was able to both broaden my interests and deepen existent knowledge during my Master's degree in Finance. It's very challenging, but the result is totally worth it. Bocconi has a very impressive reputation across the world, which allowed me to have an internship at my dream company.

Tara

Verified

1/04/2024

On Campus

A University Ripe with Opportunity

As a first year Masters in International Management student, the global perspective, abundant learning opportunities and networking opportunities were the main aspects that drew me towards pursing my studies at Bocconi. And Bocconi has delivered in full on these promises. In my classes I have really valued the more application based approach which centres around collaboration with peers from around the world. There are also so many opportunities for learning outside the classroom through supplementary activities, societies, guest lectures and other events hosted by the university! The networking opportunities and career services are world class. The university regularly hosts events like Bocconi

Martina

Verified

1/04/2024

On Campus

Environment and experiences

Entering Bocconi, I was shy and uncertain. I was surprised to discover a supportive community that not only challenged me academically but also encouraged me to come out of my shell. I found myself surrounded by lifelong friends who turned out to be an invaluable support for me. Despite my initial indecision, my chosen course (Economics and Management for Arts and Culture) proved to be the perfect fit, seamlessly blending rigorous economic principles with insights into the cultural landscape. I found myself immersed in a dynamic environment that fostered healthy competition, pushing me to excel while simultaneously supporting my personal growth. Reflecting on my period at Bocconi, I can confidently say it was the best time of my life. Through unforgettable experiences in students associations, internships and study-abroad periods, Bocconi accompanied me from adolescence into adulthood. It provided me with the confidence and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the real world, offering me an environment where I could flourish both academically and personally.

Erik

Verified

2/04/2024

On Campus

Great programme in MSc Finance

I have done the MSc in Finance, and I am extremely happy with it. The quality of the education is really good, and has more than prepared me for my job in Asset Management after my studies. There are also a lot of group projects and labs in the classes which lets you try things in practice. In addition to this, there are a lot of good student associations for finance which allows you to connect with a lot of really brilliant people.

Student

Verified

2/04/2024

On Campus

My Experience at Bocconi University

Bocconi University offers a great deal of programs. The small classes make it easy for students to interact with professors, all very experienced in their field, and not only care for the students' life inside the classroom but also for their lives outside, providing many amazing extracurricular activities, from sports, and associations to theater and singing. Overall, a great experience!

Student

Verified

4/04/2024

On Campus

Excellent university providing a great preparation

I have chosen Bocconi University for both my bachelor's and master's degree and I am extremely satisfied with my experience and the preparation the institution has given me, both academically and to be equipped to enter the job market. The programs are very international, which has allowed me to make friends from all over the world, and the university offers a wide range of interesting courses, both in Italian and in English, which often combine a theoretical strong preparation together with practical applied projects. Bocconi also has a great and efficient career service that organizes useful events to get ready for the job market, meet employers and network with companies. I have also appreciated the presence of over a hundred student associations, which has allowed me to pursue some interests of mine while meeting students from several different courses and gainining more practical experience through additional projects.