Master in Corporate Finance kicks off 24th edition

Opening week of the Master in Corporate Finance welcomed students of the 24th edition and introduced them to the major issues of the global financial context.

As the 24th edition of the Master in Corporate Finance took off October 4, 2023, 35 students from 21 countries met in Milan to start their transformative year as students at SDA Bocconi. Opening week was a rich schedule of introductions to their new home, the high-tech, sustainable campus, and the professors who will guide them through their MCF journey. These experts in finance and related fields presented the most crucial issues of the global financial context that make up the background of their studies.

“Uncertainty is all around us – the geopolitical crisis, climate change, ecological disasters,” Federico Pippo, Academic Director of MCF, started. “But there are different ways to deal with uncertainty, and some people enjoy taking risk and living unpredictable lives.” The uncertainty of the global financial context was dimmed by the optimism of the speakers and encouragement for the students as they embark on their year-long experience.

The first day students heard from Enzo Baglieri, Associate Dean for Master Division; Maurizio Dallocchio, Full Professor of Finance at Bocconi University and MCF Founder; Laura Zanetti, Associate Professor of Corporate Finance at Bocconi University; and Massimo della Ragione, Professor of Practice at Bocconi University and Head of Digital Tech Vertical at Bocconi 4 Innovation.

Later in the afternoon, Andrea Benocci, SDA Bocconi Faculty member and Linkedin Communities’ Manager, provided the students with a first look at the finest financial information services for finance they have access to: Bloomberg, Refinitiv, and Bureau Van Dijk. During the program, they learn to use these powerful services in a professional way. In addition, they have to chance to become both Bloomberg and Refinitiv certified users.

After a warm welcome from Enzo Baglieri and Maurizio Dallocchio, guest speaker Laura Zanetti dug into the complex scenarios playing out on the global stage that will be a major influence during the year and heavily impact the future careers they pursue, including the geopolitical crisis, climate change and energy transition, and disruptive technologies.

“I want to leave you with hope,” said Prof. Zanetti after examining the impacts of these challenges that corporations and markets are currently dealing with. “We are facing these threats. But we can do something. And in my view the solution is sustainable development.”

Prof. Dallocchio also looked to positive ways students could embrace change through innovation, an important part of the SDA Bocconi experience, where academics and the physical campus are infused with the latest technologies.

“Welcome to the site where innovation is part of our DNA. What you will be experiencing in every single classroom is innovation,” he said. The importance of innovation was discussed also by Massimo della Ragione, who introduced students to Bocconi 4 Innovation, an initiative that selects and supports business ideas and startups through acceleration programs.

Students also had the opportunity to hear from alumni who are on the MCF Advisory Board. Lorenzo Longo, a 2006 alumnus who now works for UniCredit, told them, “Get as much as you can from this program. It will be up to you to take advantage,” while encouraging them to enjoy the journey.

“You are here to learn some professional skills, but you are also here to learn soft skills that will make the difference in your professional life,” added Giovanna Malponte, a 2015 alumna. “Take it as an opportunity. Be proactive.”

They echoed the advice of Prof. Pippo and the others, telling the aspiring finance professionals that MCF is an opportunity to step back and figure out what they want, and above all, to build a network of peers that will last them well beyond this year.

“You are going to feel you are changed as a person because you are sharing this experience with your classmates,” said Prof. Baglieri. “You are creating a network. Part of this network is SDA Bocconi. Here we are building together a very strong alliance.”

The selection process begins on October 17.

SDA Bocconi School of Management