"My life in London, in the machist world of finance. But here the internships are aimed at recruitment"

For those who dream of a career in finance there is no better place than London. "Because, as the Londoners say, you can only make one choice: either here or New York". Gaia Corbetta, 26 years, actuarial analyst – that is an expert in the management of market risks – speaks from the fifth floor of a skyscraper of the City, the financial heart of the English capital. Here, for the past three years, there has been room in the sector of insurance, since he left Italy to finish his studies a Brighton first and start his own career to London then. A choice (almost) obligatory for Gaia: “I knew that in Italy I would have had less chance. In Englandinstead, they win meritocracy, flexible hours and faster career jumps. They immediately gave me big responsibility and allowed to continue to study, paying me the books and giving me one day a week free to get the title of actuary".

The Italian financial center for the English is Milan, but certainly not at the height of the City. "Our country is not considered a competitor, rather an excellent one customer in the head of insurance. In short, a perfect opportunity to business. Why? Simple, Italian insurance companies do not have one liquid assets necessary to cover the most important companies in the area. Which is why they appeal to companies like mine. The difference between Italy is England, therefore, it is evident. Reason why sometimes some jokes in the office are not lacking ”. Gaia did not think twice: after the three-year degree in mathematics at the Bicocca University of Milan he greets everyone, leaves his small village in Brianza, Cesano Maderno, and moves to Brighton where in a year concludes the specialist in financial mathematicsUniversity of Sussex. And then the transfer to London: "With respect to the work experiences I have had in Milan, the UK is able to create a environment more work cozy also for new employees. Not only that, fixed-term contracts and internships are rare. The only intership periods, however, are aimed at hiring ".

Life in the City, however, is not easy. Especially for a woman hard worker of English finance. "My company is part of an insurance corporation. A reality still closed is male chauvinist. Just think of that before the 1980 women could not be part of it and that, even today, the top positions are all covered by men". The basis of everything is alcohol. "Here the real business is done at pub in front of one beer. In short, places much less frequented by women and not very suitable for those who do not like drinking ”. With one exception: “It happens that sometimes some finance bosses require a female presence in some meetings, only and only if good-looking. And in some cases complaints have been filed for abuse is harassment". On the other hand, however, because of these episodes, the environment is very controlled: "If in an email are written jokes about women, they immediately take the disciplinary sanctions. If, however, there is nothing written and denounces the verbal offense to human resources, you risk passing yourself over trouble". But now, he says, they are teaming up with colleagues: “There are more and more courses and meetings for women only. In short, we must assert ourselves ”. Gaia it is not the first to denounce what happens in the High floors of finance: the same companies in the market insurance they promised decisive actions to put an end to these attitudes. And among the most "brave" there are also those who eliminated the drink break (alcoholic) mid-morning, for many workers an indispensable break.

So, sometimes, the recall at home is felt: "What am I missing of Italy? The Italians and theirs cordiality. But above all theirs sobriety, here too much drinking is too much normal. If you go to the doctor, including a dentist, the first thing he asks is how many glasses of alcohol you drink during the day. As if it were taken for granted ”. To their advantage, however, "I can say that they are a people without prejudices. You could go around dressed even in the most absurd way that they would accept you anyway ”. His choice today Gaia he did it. And it's London. Even because New York it would have been too far away.

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