A first-hand account from a young man who turned his work-study programme into a job and a path to personal growth.
Marco, let’s start at the beginning of your journey. What made you choose a technical course of study and, when the opportunity for an internship at GDA arose, what were your expectations? Did you perhaps have any particular curiosities or fears about stepping into the world of work for the first time at a company like this?
I chose a technical course mainly out of curiosity and because of my personal aptitude: I’ve always enjoyed doing practical work, and even more so being able to apply the theory I’d learnt to real-life situations.
I was also driven by the desire to acquire practical skills that would be genuinely useful in the world of work.
I was looking for something that didn’t stop at books, but that would allow me to get stuck in straight away, without necessarily having to continue with my studies.
When the opportunity for an internship at GDA arose, my expectations were a mix of enthusiasm and a desire to put myself to the test.
More than anything, I wanted to see first-hand how a company really works and to apply what I’d learnt in a real-world context.
Naturally, I had a few questions and some concerns. I was curious to understand how teamwork works in a professional environment, and what the day-to-day routines and responsibilities would be.
As for my fears, I can’t deny that at first I was worried I wouldn’t be up to the task or sufficiently prepared.
Over time, however, they actually proved useful: they pushed me to work harder, ask questions and strive to improve constantly.
Looking back on your arrival at GDA, how were you welcomed, and what aspect of the work in the departments struck you most compared to what you’d learnt at school? And how did you find the transition from your work placement to being formally employed: what do you do now, and which skills do you feel you’ve developed most since you started working here?
When I first arrived at GDA, the welcome I received was one of the things that struck me most right from the start.
I felt supported and guided every step of the way, both by my managers and by more experienced colleagues: it made a huge difference, especially in the early days, when everything is new and a bit disorientating.
Compared to what I’d learnt at school, what surprised me most was the practical nature of the work on the shop floor.
In the classroom, you learn the theoretical basics and a few procedures, but it was here that I realised just how important the actual organisation of the work, time management, collaboration between people and the ability to adapt to the unexpected really are.
On the shop floor, everything is more dynamic: you have to be quick, precise and ready to communicate effectively with others.
The transition from my work placement to being taken on as a permanent employee was very important to me – almost a recognition of the effort I’d put in.
At first, I felt a bit nervous and a little more responsibility, because from that moment on you’re a full member of the team; but, having already got to know the environment, it was a natural transition.
Today I mainly deal with operational tasks in the laser department, particularly the design and cutting stages: I oversee the production processes, check that everything is running smoothly and work with colleagues to meet deadlines and standards.
Over time, I’ve developed mainly practical skills, but also transferable skills: teamwork, responsibility, flexibility, and the ability to manage stress and prioritise tasks. Looking back, I realise that the job has helped me grow much faster than I ever imagined, both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead, how do you envisage your career path at GDA over the next few years? Are there any specific areas in which you’d like to develop professionally?
Looking ahead, I envisage my career path at GDA as one of gradual growth, both in terms of skills and responsibilities.
Over the next few years, I see myself becoming increasingly involved in activities with greater added value, where I can contribute not only at an operational level but also strategically.
In particular, I’d like to develop skills in project management, coordinating activities and people to achieve concrete objectives, and learning to identify opportunities for improvement in terms of efficiency and quality.
In short, my aim is to become an increasingly independent, reliable and proactive professional, capable of having a real impact on the company’s results.
If I could speak today to a student about to embark on a work-study programme, perhaps here at GDA, what advice would you give them to make the most of this opportunity?
If I could speak to a student today who is about to start a work-study programme, I would tell them not to see it as an obligation to be ticked off a list, but as a small, practical opportunity to learn a bit more about themselves and the world that lies ahead.
It’s one of the first times you can step away from theory and see how things really work: people working together, problems being solved on the spot, and real responsibilities even in the simplest situations.
I’d tell them to approach it with curiosity, without fear of not knowing enough, because that’s perfectly normal: no one expects you to be an expert already, but everyone notices if you’re paying attention, if you’re observing, if you’re asking questions.
Just standing there watching in silence, however, isn’t enough. You need to try to understand what’s going on around you and why certain choices are made, especially when it comes to designing circular blades, because that’s where all the manufacturing processes at GDA begin.
Another key aspect is your relationship with people. Saying hello, saying thank you, being approachable: it may seem trivial, but it makes a huge difference. Technical skills are learnt over time, whereas the way you present yourself and interact with others makes an immediate impression.
Ultimately, the most important piece of advice is this: don’t go there just to get to the end, but to come out of it a little different from how you went in. Even if it’s only a little, that’s already a great achievement — and it can even help you work out whether you chose the right course of study.
Marco’s story is one of many that stem from GDA’s commitment to young people. Find out how the company is putting this into practice in the interview with Donatella Adami.
