My name is Edoardo Belardi and I am a PhD student in Finance at Tilburg University (Netherlands).

The University of Siena represented a solid ground for building my career. After the BSc in Economics and Banking, I pursued a MSc in Finance, and in my first year, I was selected for the Double Degree Program at the University of Ljubljana. At the end of the second year, I obtained an internship opportunity of six months in Structuring and Product Engineering within Global Markets division of MPS Capital Services. The desire to know more about the application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during my studies led me to accept a permanent position as Financial Analyst at Crédit Agricole Banking Group.

This working experience led me to plan pursuing more knowledge by extending at PhD level the starting research approach I faced during my Master’s degree. Thus, in September 2024 and after five years in the industry, I started my PhD journey at Tilburg University.

The MSc in Finance at the University of Siena provided me with a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills, preparing me to excel in the professional world. It fostered critical thinking and instilled the motivation to pursue a successful career in both industry and academia.

The University of Siena played a crucial role in my current career path, where I could have a relevant international perspective thanks to the Double Degree Program. Furthermore, I could touch the high reputation that the University have within the national territory and abroad,

particularly for the well-recognized high-quality level of the MSc in Finance, that I could appreciate between practitioners and academics.

Particularly relevant for me were the precious advice, the strong support and the guidance provided by my Mentor, Professor Claudio Pacati, and by the other Professors within the School of Economics and Management of Siena and Ljubljana. I couldn’t have overcome the challenges I faced during the intense transition from industry to a PhD without their inspiration and support.