with Gaia Mambelli
Gaia Mambelli, a final year Business Studies and Russian student at Trinity College Dublin, has begun her journey in the field of Consulting through her Summer Internship at Deloitte. In this blog, Gaia shares her experiences and insights working in Operations Transformation Services in the Consulting Department. From attending captivating workshops and engaging in strategic projects to attending the Olympics; join us as Gaia uncovers the layers of professional development and the impact of Deloitte’s inclusive corporate culture that celebrates ambition at every step.
Hi everyone, my name is Gaia, and I joined Deloitte this summer as an Operations Transformation Consulting Intern. Let me share with you a bit about myself. I am originally from Italy, and in 2021, my passion for international environments, languages, and the global economic landscape brought me to Trinity College Dublin to study Business Studies and Russian. This September, I will be entering the final year of my bachelor’s degree, which I’m very excited for.
My decision regarding where to begin developing my career was influenced by Deloitte's presence at my university. I was informed about the Summer Internship program at a Trinity-hosted business fair held on campus. It has been valuable for me to see the deep commitment Deloitte has to investing in young future leaders. As a member of the Irish Student Consulting Group, of which Deloitte is a key partner, I joined a webinar to learn about the Deloitte Future Leaders Academy. During this session, I learned an in-depth review of Deloitte, validating my belief that the Summer Internship program was the perfect opportunity for me to join a culture where inclusion and ambition are not only accepted, but celebrated.
Once I began researching various positions available within the company, including the one I am now interning in, I was most drawn to the Deloitte Consulting Department. I believe consulting’s main asset is aiding businesses through trending goals and access to a large variety of industries. Consultants learn from different businesses and think critically about what can be done better. This aspect inspired me the most. Within the Consulting Department, I joined the Operations Transformation team. My goal with this 12-week internship is to gain insights on how different businesses shape their operation processes and decision-making processes from a strategic point of view. The Consulting team at Deloitte, specifically within the team I work with, empowers their people by giving them the opportunity to be a key driver of this process, which is why I feel aligned with this department.
A project I recently completed and found exciting was researching EU Regulations, analysing the relevant aspects for the final goal of the project, and implementing them in the strategy. During my years in college, I have read academic journals, case studies, and articles of different lengths and disciplines, gaining valuable research skills. It was rewarding to showcase abilities I learned during my academic journey in one of my first pieces of work, receive support for any questions I had, and gain positive feedback from members of my team.
Although I have many, I have one word for my most memorable experience – Olympics! Deloitte Ireland is an official sponsor of the 2024 Olympic Games, and they thought it would be a great opportunity for one of their interns to experience the atmosphere of Paris during the world's biggest sporting event.
I left on Friday and returned on Sunday. On the first day, I met all the partners and clients who were flying with me to France. Talking to them and learning about their roles gave me insight into different areas of the business—an opportunity I wouldn't normally have in such a short period. After landing in Paris, we were greeted by a guide who accompanied us throughout the weekend. We checked into the hotel and got ready for dinner. O’Sullivan’s is one of the official venues of Team Ireland, and this is where we went out for dinner. The treatment was excellent throughout. From there, we cheered for Team Ireland and attended the entire opening ceremony. We sang and spent the evening together, soaking up the Parisian atmosphere.
The next day, Saturday, started perfectly with an amazing breakfast catering to all tastes and preferences. Then, there was a dedicated transfer to head to the first sporting event – Swimming Men & Women at the Défense Arena. The arena was stunning and seeing it from the inside was an emotional experience for me. We cheered the Irish swimmers like Ellen Walshe, Erin Riordan, Danielle Hill, Grace Davison, Victoria Catterson performing in Women's 100m Butterfly, Women's 400m Freestyle, Men's 100m Breaststroke, Men's 400m Freestyle, Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay, and Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
In the meantime, Deloitte Associate Zoe Hyde was due to compete at 12pm in the rowing competition. She did an amazing performance together with her teammate Alison Bergin who progressed to the semi-finals in the double sculls.
After lunch, a transfer drove us to the next exciting event – the Rugby Sevens Men at the Stade De France, featuring thrilling matches, semi-finals, and the bronze final with Ireland’s team competing. Watching rugby at such a high level in a stadium was incredible. With France's victory, the stadium was filled with enthusiasm from the locals, and everyone sang some of the most beautiful French songs together.
Although the day was already full of excitement, the surprises didn’t end there. At Team Ireland's official venue, Deloitte had a private VIP area. Some Rugby Sevens players came to celebrate at the same venue. With music, food, and drinks, we concluded this intense day in the best way possible!
I'm truly happy to have had such an opportunity. When I received the call saying I was flying to Paris the following weekend, I couldn't believe it. I had high expectations for my internship because I was aware of Deloitte’s reputation and their commitment to the professional growth of future generations, but this experience exceeded any expectations I could have had. I'm glad I chose an environment with plenty of opportunities, possibilities for growth, and rewards for hard work.
This experience has reinforced my belief in the value of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing unique opportunities. It has shown me the importance of networking, building relationships, and the incredible support that can come from a company that truly values its interns. Being part of such a prestigious event has not only boosted my confidence but also broadened my understanding of the global business landscape. I am more motivated than ever to contribute to Deloitte’s success and continue pursuing my professional goals with the same enthusiasm and dedication made this unforgettable experience possible.
One of the many reasons why I joined Deloitte is because of the support the company gives in terms of growth and development for its people. Last week, Deloitte organised a 2-day event focused on Leadership for its interns. The first day I volunteered in different areas of Ireland, and the second day I attended a storytelling workshop that focused on how to build engaging and authentic stories. In preparation for this, we all prepared a personal story on the theme of “Tell us about a time you were there for someone, or someone was there for you.” After attending the sessions during the day, I felt much more natural telling the story I prepared to the other interns. Developmental workshops like this are the regular rule at Deloitte. When joining the company, you are allocated training for fostering your skills in your role, and you are given access to helpful and informative internal platforms like Knowledge Exchange or Cura, where you can develop expertise in areas of interest to you.
Over the course of my 12 weeks at Deloitte, I have had the opportunity to work closely with diverse teams on various projects. This exposure to different skilled individuals highlighted the importance of effective communication and teamwork to me. Participating in daily meetings was key to understanding the communication style in a professional work environment and was useful for adapting mine to this context. I learned to be clearer and more consistent in my communication, facilitating collaboration by being open and supportive, which in turn encouraged my team to rely on me when needed. Enhancing my communication and relationship building skills for the workplace allowed me to develop strong interpersonal skills and a keen understanding of how to cultivate positive, productive relationships in a professional setting.
I feel I have contributed greatly to Deloitte by demonstrating strong commitment to my tasks and maintaining a keen interest in the overall work of the team. For instance, when assigned to a new client project involving market research, I made sure to gather all the necessary information by asking detailed questions about the main objectives and seeking guidance from experienced colleagues. This proactive approach allowed me to stay engaged and offer valuable insights during project discussions. Additionally, I frequently provided support to my team members, such as helping to prepare materials for client meetings and assisting in data collection for new reports. Being a valued asset to my team is something I find very rewarding.
My advice to future interns is to be proactive. At Deloitte, you'll find an environment that offers endless opportunities to pursue your interests, learn from brilliant colleagues, and build a reputation for yourself. Don't hesitate to express your preferences and seek out projects aligned with your passions. Joining Sports and Social Clubs or similar initiatives allows you to connect with seasoned professionals in the industry, gaining invaluable insights and expanding your network. At Deloitte, these opportunities are there for you every day. Take charge of shaping your experience actively here at Deloitte—it's an environment where initiative truly pays off.
As Gaia wraps up her 12-week Summer Internship at Deloitte, her journey is far from over. The skills acquired and the professional relationships nurtured have set a solid foundation for her future endeavours. Reflecting on a summer filled with growth, learning, meaningful connections and once in a lifetime experiences, Gaia is well-prepared to continue heracademic and professional journey, armed with a deeper understanding of the business world. For those inspired by Gaia’s story and looking to embark on a similar path of growth and development, start your own path of success by visiting the Deloitte Ireland careers pages to stay updated on upcoming graduate roles.
A summer Internship at Deloitte kickstarts your journey within our prestigious Future Leaders Academy, as the first step in Deloitte’s award-winning graduate programme.