More than 10 years ago, shortly after graduating in business administration at the Ca' Foscari University in Venice, I joined Accenture, a global professional services company. At that time, the picture I had in my head of the person I wanted to one day become was a bit fuzzy. However, I distinctly remember how fascinated I was by the female managers I heard speaking at conferences-those same women whose images often appeared on the covers of business magazines.
A cover manager! Over time, I came to realize that even though the image was blurred and dreamy, this image spurred me to work toward my career goals: I would become a recognized professional who would make the most of her strengths and help others to grow too.
As the years rolled by, I worked on numerous consulting projects, mostly in the banking area. First, I built up my skills and later carved out a more specialized role in talent management. Fully developing my abilities and deepening my relationships helped me achieve the goals I had set. Becoming a manager was a milestone that gave me immense satisfaction, and I celebrated it intensely. After my promotion, I continued to work in the consulting area where I qualified to simultaneously lead a project within the global Corporate Citizenship program. 
I helped launch the first edition of a corporate citizenship project called "Digital Training Lab." Now in its eighth year, its goal is to help young job-seekers join the digital professions. Working on this project gave me a great sense of fulfillment and was instrumental in helping me build a network of contacts both within and outside the company.
The hazy image of the female manager on the cover of the business magazine in my mind at the outset of my career slowly became sharper. As she came into greater focus, it became clear that she no longer had the cover all to herself. Today, she has a companion and two daughters: a wonderful little girl and a newborn with an array of unpredictable and emotional needs.
