Meet Benedetta De Mare and Francesco Rosciano, MTM Class of 2025

MTM Executive Director Erin Nerstad sat down with Benedetta and Francesco to hear more about why they joined MTM – both after previously studying at Politecnico di Milano in Italy. 

Erin: So Benedetta and Francesco, tell us about what you were doing before you joined the MTM program, and why did you choose MTM?

Benedetta: Before coming to UCSB I graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy, and then I gained some work experience as a mechanical engineer and later as a consultant. First it was in Italy, and then for a company based in Brussel, and I worked across different projects around the world. I decided to come to UCSB’s MTM because I wanted to level up from my technical background and acquire more business and management knowledge. So I found this program and I found it super interesting, and I wanted to experience a more international perspective, so I decided to come here and level up my career. 

Francesco: Before MTM I was also at Politecnico di Milano. I graduated with a Master of Science in Management Engineering. I worked for one year in a startup in Italy and then I flew to Silicon Valley to attend a summer session at Stanford, and I fell in love with California and the American mindset. So I decided to come back, and after Stanford I left my job and started looking for an early-career, one-year MBA that would allow me to be back in the United States. Knowing that technology is fundamental for every type of company, I wanted to have an MBA that would also include some technology courses. So I decided to pursue a Master of Technology Management at UCSB. 

Erin: I am so glad you both came here! Tell us what have been some highlights of the year for you?

Francesco: My main highlight was the visit to the Amazon offices here in Santa Barbara. They are amazing. We have also had really good moments together in our cohort, from surfing to hiking, and so many more highlights that have given me such amazing memories. 

Benedetta: I agree with Francesco, and also I think the diverse range of courses that we have, from more technical content to strategy, management, and partnerships. The program helps you build a lot of hard and soft skills, if you don't have them before. Also, our cohort. It’s very interesting to see the different points of view because we have a lot of international students but also lots of people from different parts of the United States, so it is very interesting and fun. 

Erin: Why would you recommend the MTM graduate program to others?

Benedetta: I would definitely recommend the program because it is a good balance of technical knowledge and business strategy. It gives you a good slate of skills that you can work on throughout the year. Also, I feel like the program is very focused on the network you can build, because the MTM alumni network is very powerful. And there are other good networking possibilities. MTM helps you start your career and focus on what you like, and gives you the time to focus on that. The fantastic Career Services helps you a lot. 

Francesco: Yes, I do agree with Benedetta one hundred percent. Also for me, there are three main reasons: professional, social, and a little bit bureaucratic. Professional, because thanks to MTM I had the chance to visit many companies and network with really good people that are now in Google, Apple, Amazon, and also in some venture capital companies and the startup world. It is really amazing. MTM gives you the right set of skills, both technical and managerial, and professional, with courses such as communication and negotiation, which are really helpful. Social, because our MTM cohort is amazing. We have really good times together. Bureaucratic, because we are both Italians and have the possibility to stay in the United States for three years thanks to the OPT extension (the visa for staying in the United States after graduating) because MTM is a STEM-recognized degree.

Erin: What roles or industries are you interested in pursuing after MTM?

Francesco: I fell in love with the American mindset and startup environment here in Santa Barbara. There is an amazing start-up environment here, where everyone knows each other and tries to help you, so I believe this is the best place to start, because there is an environment that isn’t too large but there is a community of people who will actually help you. So, I hope to work in a startup that is in the seed stage. 

Benedetta: After completing the MTM program, I am interested in pursuing roles such as project manager or strategy consultant. I am passionate about working in a dynamic and innovative environment, so I would like to apply both my technical knowledge from my background and my growing understanding of business strategy. I am really interested in project management, so maybe starting from operations or a role like that, and try to scale my career even farther. 

Erin: Is there anything else you would like people to know about MTM?

Benedetta: I would definitely recommend it because of the experience, in addition to all the fantastic knowledge that they give you and the skills you can build. From my perspective as an international student who was in the United States just for high school, the university experience in the U.S. is very different from an Italian or European one and I definitely recommend it. Also, UCSB is a very nice place because who doesn't like the sun and an amazing environment? It also has a very nice community as a university. 

Francesco: I was really nervous when I was starting MTM because I had never visited the campus and I didn't know anyone from UCSB or MTM. But, I followed my gut and I came here. And it is amazing. I would redo that decision 100 times, for the reasons I mentioned earlier: the professionalism, the networking opportunities, the skills this program gives you, and the opportunities that are around. The Santa Barbara area is really undervalued and underknown. It is a really amazing place here, from both the natural perspective, and the professional perspective. There are many companies here, including the Google Quantum Headquarters. I had the chance to visit it and it is amazing, it is a very visionary environment. It feels like it’s in the early days of Silicon Valley here. 

Erin: Well I am so glad the both of you decided to come and be a part of the MTM cohort this year. It has been wonderful having you here, and it has been great to hear about your experiences today. Thank you for sharing about them with us!

Parli Italiano? Watch the interview in Italian here!

Connect with Benedetta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedetta-de-mare/ 

Connect with Francesco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-rosciano/ 

Learn more about MTM: tmp.ucsb.edu/mtm

Connect with MTM: https://tmp.ucsb.edu/connect-mtm