This is Théo Nivaggioli-Angellotto, Ships Agency Sales Intern at Wilhelmsen
- ExpIns's Writer
- Nov 14, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2019
He is currently an exchange student at Copenhagen Business School, but his home university’s Kedge Business School in Marseille. Eager to learn the most on management and shipping, he is following courses and programs at CBS related to these subjects, with the hope of working in the very same fields later.
How did you find out about this position that you had?
The company reached out to me after a close friend of mine, knowing a position was available, recommended me to persons in charge there.
After a CV check down and an interview, I was notified the position would be mine if I was ready to put the work in, I therefore found myself having the amazing opportunity to spend a 6 months internship for Wilhelmsen.
What was your main tasks at the job?
The position of Sales Support is a part of the WSS Switzerland team. This team aims at servicing traders and charterers in Switzerland and is responsible to ensure that the customers have a central point of contact with our global maritime network.
In this operational and hands-on position, I was a support to our Sales Managers, administrated and coordinated our contacts with customers and cooperated closely with other departments within Wilhelmsen Ships Service.
Starting by providing support to the Sales Managers in preparing presentations, statistical reports, sales proposals and customer contracts, in compliance with the company’s policies and standards. In a sales environment, you have to get to customers, meet them, initiating conversations and businesses with them, you have to come up with everything that would give you an advantage over other agencies.
Furthermore, I exclusively took care of Bill of Ladings requests and issuance, The Bill of Lading is one of the most vital documents associated with trade, yet due to its abiding presence it is often the document that is the most overlooked.
Did you have any surprise on the first few weeks coming to the job?
Indeed, on my third day with this company I freshly joined, I happened to find myself alone at the office for an entire week! This can be explained as my manager wasn’t present for personal reasons. I found myself in a very stressful, yet great learning experience, I was the only Wilhelmsen representative to take care of our customers, all these trading houses or shipowners that are some of the biggest companies in the world.
Did you enjoy your time working there?
All in all, I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity, for what it brought me during this time span, and all the questions it has answered for my future. I know the shipping world is something that would suit me, the sector is forever growing, interests me, and has always been as a Marseille kid and seeing the impact of the port on the city for example. There are very good opportunities for development at different stages in a career, and possibilities to change field and go into another sector are huge! It is very easy to go from the shipping world to consultancy or teaching for example.
What was your favorite thing about the company?
I guess the biggest thing for me was that, I would have never imagined that while being an intern, I would be treated and regarded so well by all my colleagues, this may seem like a small thing, but small things matter, it is what makes us appreciate people, institutions, or companies like in this case. I will forever be grateful to them for that, as I felt they considered me as an integral part of this company. A human being that they wanted to integrate and make sure everything was made to put him in the greatest condition possible, which is very rarely the case during an internship. I felt like I was part of a family, I gave it all for this family and it gave me even more in return.
How was the workload?
It was regular, working from 09:00 to 18:00, with a lunch break usually ate in front of the laptop enjoying some news show. Always trying to grab knowledge as it could be very useful in our everyday work, depending on the periods and customer demands, the amount of work would vary but was always manageable.
How was your working space?
The company was located in a Business Center close to the center of Geneva, premises were enjoyable and allowed us to work to the fullest.
How was your team dynamic?
I was a part of a young, multicultural and dynamic team, even though this team wasn’t located in Switzerland at all. Fun fact, we were only 2 persons working in Switzerland, within this 21 000 employees company, but majority of my job was also done in cooperation with our guys from London, Port De Bouc, Pakistan, China, Arab Gulf, and these are only examples. To go along with that, is the opportunity to work for the largest maritime network in the world.
I also benefited from working for an employer having strong values: Customer-centered, Empowerment, Learning and innovation, Stewardship, Teaming and collaboration.
Would you recommend this job?
No. Because I would love to get it back myself once I finish my studies.
Connect with him!
Comments