Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal & UK

Nicola P. Perugini '99-'00Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal & UK… home to the US for a 3-day ‘recoup’ every 1-2 months…. then back all over again. 

Transitioning off IMLP in GE Capital Fleet Europe was thrilling, challenging & empowering all at once.  Off Program, I grew to lead Oracle Financial deployments across Europe; there was almost no better work I could think of driving.  Although not without its complex challenges, the people & experience of that first job were such a shaping force in my career; even to this day I frequently site its character building effects.  I was also able to ‘pop in’ for visits to see relatives in Benevento (outside Naples) when I lived in Rome.

Apart from technology, organization & leadership, I learned more about myself personally than I ever imagined.  I forged strong bonds with my project colleagues that to this day keep us in touch both socially & professionally; however, outside work, traveling like this made it difficult to develop roots.  While experience helped spur creativity and put things in perspective, I also started to think about my career and life in a different light.  It was then that I knew GE was the place for me…but maybe a bit closer to home (like somewhere in the US).

Several GE businesses (including a return to the UK) kept me busy for the next decade.  I took on very challenging assignments, mostly the ones that no one wanted, with the goal of continuing to grow.  After building depth, my key criteria were that any new assignment be both technologically & functionally diverse.  I wanted to expand in a way that would enable me be a true broad-based IT leader.  My view was that unless I had something to bring into the role and something to take out, the role was not worth it.  I also learned that through execution, flexibility and trust you propagate your ‘personal brand’ in a very meaningful way.

Fast forward to 2010…I’m in an exciting role, working with first-class people & technology in an organization that values new ideas & ways of working.  I’ve also learned better balance.  I hit the gym 5x per week and make the effort to disconnect.  While highs & low exist, I’ve learned that loving what you do and balancing life is the key to true success!

---Nick is an Executive Program Manager for Underwriting at GE Capital America in Danbury, Connecticut