Startups and Employment: In the Air in Zurich

In the beginning, when the group was founded decades earlier, the link between members was banking. Today, with a total of around 250 Bocconi Alumni, the BAA Chapter in Zurich is made up of people who are part of all sectors. Omar Misuraca is one of the old guard (and he in fact works for UBS), and he has been the head of the group in the city since March 2013. "In addition to social meetings about once a month, every trimester we develop events focusing on professional issues," explains Misuraca, talking about their activities. "For example, we're focusing on topics related to employment, because even here in Zurich there is beginning to be an uneasy atmosphere. Even here companies are beginning to downsize."

On 17 June, along with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the city, an event introducing three Italian startups that are looking to penetrate the local market was held: "These companies contacted the Chamber of Commerce for their internationalization strategy and CamCom asked for our support in organizing the event, with the intention of creating a working team in the future." Just a few days earlier, on 12 June, employment was the focus of the training seminar with Claudio Ceper, to understand what headhunters are looking for during job interviews. "In the future, however, we want to do more: not just talk with headhunters, but go directly to companies, to understand what characteristics they're looking for in the area." The focus is on the local environment: "Collaboration with institutions in the area is fundamental in order to organize activities that truly meet expectations," says Omar Misuraca, "and the collaboration with CamCom is really moving in this direction."