No limit to new challenges
Simone Mazzola
- Current job: Current job/employer: Chief Operating Office – 3Bee
- PhD area of study: Optimization of operations and design of renewable-based microgrids
- Thesis title: Operation and design optimization for off-grid hybrid microgrids with high RES penetration
- PhD Tesi Supervisor: Ennio Macchi
- PhD Tesi Co-supervisor: Marco Astolfi
- Alumnus: PhD STEN, 29° cycle (2017)
Which were the main steps in your career after the PhD and what are you working on at the moment?
After my PhD, I directly joined Boston Consulting Group, a top-tier strategy consulting firm.
I was part of the Energy Practice of the Milan office, where I have worked for 3 years starting as a Senior Associate up to the role of Project Leader. During my work experience, I had to opportunity to work with the most relevant companies in the Energy sector in Italy on relevant topics such as business digitalization and strategy.
I was part of the Energy Practice of the Milan office, where I have worked for 3 years starting as a Senior Associate up to the role of Project Leader. During my work experience, I had to opportunity to work with the most relevant companies in the Energy sector in Italy on relevant topics such as business digitalization and strategy.
After this experience, I was looking for new challenges and I got into the startup ecosystem, where I first joined a deep tech startup working on advanced materials for noise control and then 3Bee, a startup using technology to protect bees and restore biodiversity.
I currently take care of the operations and the business development of the company, identifying and pursuing the most interesting opportunities to grow the business.
Have you learned something special or met special persons during your PhD at POLIMI that changed you personally or professionally?
I had the privilege to work with a top research group, open to teach you and make you grow professionally. It is not easy to be so lucky, especially at the beginning of your career.
However, probably, the most impacting experience was the period I spent at MIT, a top university which has multiple exchange programs with Polimi.
An experience like this is not so common after graduation and a PhD, especially at Polimi, is one the (few) ways you have to live an international experience like this.
However, probably, the most impacting experience was the period I spent at MIT, a top university which has multiple exchange programs with Polimi.
An experience like this is not so common after graduation and a PhD, especially at Polimi, is one the (few) ways you have to live an international experience like this.
What do you think is the added value of investing 3 years in a PhD compared to starting working right after graduation?
I think the PhD as a sweet place where you can live to understand how the world works. It seems counterintuitive, but you have the possibility to get in contact with companies active in that specific research area and to work in a really stimulating environment.
You have exposure to an international environement of researcher and experiences that
contributes to make you grow professionally.
Then, if you understand that academia is not your spot, you can always look for other opportunities. It is plenty of companies that value a PhD, as strategic consulting firms as Boston Consulting Group, which was my choice after the STEN program.
You have exposure to an international environement of researcher and experiences that
contributes to make you grow professionally.
Then, if you understand that academia is not your spot, you can always look for other opportunities. It is plenty of companies that value a PhD, as strategic consulting firms as Boston Consulting Group, which was my choice after the STEN program.
Which advice would you give to new engineers that are pondering about applying to the STEN PhD program at Polimi?
The STEN PhD Program is one the most effective way to continue to deep dive on technical topics, while developing and training soft skills, as problem solving and communication skills, which will be relevant for your future.
