STEM Week: Federica talks about her journey with Microsoft
As we mentioned yesterday, in February last year, 15 young and brilliant Coding Girls had a dialogue with Vasu Jakkal, the charismatic corporate vice president of Microsoft for Security, Compliance, Identity & Privacy [see the news item Vasu Jakkal, the power of empathetic leadership]. Among them, in the Microsoft House in Milan, besides Claudia, there was also Federica Stefanizzi, a 23-year-old undergraduate student of the master's degree course in Cyber Risk, Strategy and Governance at Bocconi University and the Polytechnic University of Milan. In the weeks following the meeting, Federica also applied to the company and was offered an internship at the Milan office. And now, just on the eve of STEM Week, she too has started working as an intern at Microsoft.
I'm thrilled to start my experience as a Cloud Solution Architect Intern in Security at Microsoft. In this role, the focus is on supporting organisations in the design and implementation of secure solutions, guaranteeing the protection of data, identity and infrastructure through best practices and advanced technologies. During this programme, I will dedicate myself to deepening my knowledge of the security solutions offered by Microsoft, in a highly stimulating and dynamic environment, characterised by competent professionals from whom I hope to learn as much as possible. It will be a demanding challenge, also considering the completion of my university course, but I am determined to give my best and make the most of this opportunity, with the aim of building a solid foundation for the future.
Federica, interviewed by Onelia Onorati, is the protagonist of the third story of Stem Week.
What led you to choose this career?
After scientific high school, I chose to study economics at university, mainly because I still hadn't discovered a clear and defined passion. I felt good at science subjects, except for physics, which had caused me a lot of difficulty at high school and, perhaps out of fear, had discouraged me from considering engineering. Economics seemed like an interesting compromise: lots of maths, which I liked, but also more qualitative subjects, such as law, in which I couldn't fully express my potential. Although I appreciated subjects such as statistics and finance, I felt the lack of a more technical and concrete approach. This realisation led me, after my bachelor's degree, to choose a different master's degree, combining the skills offered by Bocconi and the Polytechnic University of Milan in the Cybersecurity course. This path allowed me to rediscover an academic satisfaction that I had previously lacked.
What do you remember about meeting Vasu Jakkal?
The event was incredibly inspiring. Being part of a small group, which also included high school students struggling with the choice of university, gave me the opportunity to reflect on how crucial it is to break down prejudices and support women in fields traditionally dominated by men. Seeing Ms Jakkal talk to us in an authentic and accessible way was a turning point. Her example showed me that ambitious goals are not only achievable, but can become a reality with determination and commitment.
What do you do at Microsoft?
Designing secure cloud solutions to support the needs of companies and organisations, learning to integrate advanced technology and security on a large scale. The decision to apply for Microsoft was not only dictated by the prestige of the company, but above all by the impact that meeting in February had on me. For the first time, I felt I was in a work environment that not only valued female talent, but actively supported it. When I returned home from that event, I was certain of one thing: not only did I want to be like the extraordinary woman I had met, but I also had the skills to do so. When the opportunity to interview came up, I couldn't believe it and receiving the offer was a moment of enormous personal satisfaction.
Can you tell us about your plans for the future?
Looking to the future, I want to grow professionally in a stimulating environment, working with proactive colleagues in close-knit teams. I would like to gain experience abroad, contributing to the development of innovative technologies and remaining an active part in the changing technological landscape. I dream of leaving a concrete mark in the field of computer security, combining technical skills and sensitivity towards greater inclusion.
