Nicol still prefers an Italian-style cornetto and cappuccino to a hearty German breakfast. No surprise then that her new home of Munich is also known as ‘Italy’s most northerly city’.
Nicol Vitali, Construction Manager, Munich, Germany
Growing up in Ciserano, a small village near the picturesque city of Bergamo in the north of Italy, Nicol was surrounded by beauty, culture and history – all three mirrored in the region’s ancient Venetian walls.
A Leonardo da Vinci study scholarship took Nicol to Berlin, before she journeyed south to pursue a passion for construction. The vast expanse of Munich was calling, and it immediately felt like home.
Joining ISG Deutschland in Munich as a construction manager, Nicol joined the team to lead a major office fit out for a giant US software company, jumping at the chance to tackle a high-profile project and take on such a big responsibility: “I’m so proud of being part of this amazing project and being able to create an office landscape where innovative, ground-breaking ideas arise,” she says.
It’s been a challenging road, but Nicol’s positive attitude to never give up led her to a long-held dream. Nicol’s heart still belongs to Ciserano, but her desire for growth lies firmly in Munich.
Nicol is not one to rest on her laurels – she’s always seeking new opportunities to grow and is never afraid of taking on new challenges.
Nicol was born in Treviglio and grew up in Ciserano in the north of Italy, in the Province of Bergamo near Milano. The province is not only known for the famous Stracciatella ice cream but also for its ancient Venetian walls. Nicol was always fascinated by the historic buildings and regional architecture in her hometown, and was passionate about art and culture.
Her passion accompanied her throughout her school and architectural studies until she enrolled on the Leonardo da Vinci programme, a renowned international scholarship designed to inspire young people to study and learn. Nicol got the chance to start an internship at a landscape architecture office in Berlin – so she made the 1,000-kilometre journey to Berlin, ready for new adventures in the German capital.
“Bergamo is a beautiful city and has such a great culture and historic buildings to offer,” she says of her hometown. “I will always feel connected to the city and my Italian roots, but I’ve always dreamt of exploring new places and having new experiences.”
“ISG offers an environment where I can develop my technical skills by providing training and digital software to improve processes as I want to keep on growing and learning.”
<p>Nicol Vitali, Construction Manager</p><p></p>
It wasn’t always easy getting to grips with the German language in a big city like Berlin, but she never gave up, brushing up on her German every evening when she returned home from work to her small apartment. These days she speaks Italian, English and German fluently: “I’m always keen to expand my language skills and vocabulary because it is the mirror of your personality,” she says. “It’s the most important tool to communicate with people, especially on a construction site.”
Nicol’s career led her from the north of Germany to the south, where she played a key role in the tendering process for a complex urban design project at an important intersection of Munich’s regional traffic hub.
“When I plan a project, I always try to understand the region, and the people who work or travel there, to make sure the place truly reflects the character of the city,” she explains.
Working for a multinational engineering company as a planner and site manager, she became involved in a complex campus project for a pharmaceutical group. The scheme was an important milestone in her career, as she found out that she loves to be on site and communicate with people: “Working with people from different cultures and backgrounds fascinates and fulfills me every single day.”
Nicol joined ISG Deutschland as a construction manager in Munich in January 2020, where she has been responsible for a major fit out project for one of the biggest US software companies in the world, and a key ISG client. Here she can develop and contribute her complete design and architecture knowhow, as well as her open minded, sociable personality.
“I always wanted to work for an international company that would allow me to be creative and innovative, and find out where my limitations are and learn to push beyond them,” she says. “ISG offers an environment where I can develop my technical skills by providing training and digital software to improve processes as I want to keep on growing and learning.”
Nicol’s Italian temperament combined with her fearless character, joyfulness and communication skills make her unique personality a perfect fit for a job which encounters people of different nationalities and backgrounds. “Working with a team with such broad, international experience, and where a culture of knowledge and skills sharing is the thing I like most about working with ISG,” she says.
Shortly after Nicol started at ISG, the COVID-19 pandemic began. Starting a new job at a new company made it an additionally challenging time for her, and getting to know people wasn´t easy. However, she took advantage of the time, building a deep understanding for the complete project process – from tender phases to calculation to client negotiations.
“Bergamo is a beautiful city and has such a great culture and historic buildings to offer. I will always feel connected to the city and my Italian roots, but I’ve always dreamt of exploring new places and having new experiences.”
Nicol Vitali, Construction Manager
Exciting international people and projects where she can contribute her architecture background in a city where tradition meets high-tech – this what Nicol loves about Munich.
The German city is one of the most pioneering in Europe, drawing the world’s biggest technology and IT companies to set up offices where young, talented people can learn and get involved in world-leading innovation.
“I want to make a difference in the community,” says Nicol. “In these challenging times you need to know what people need to thrive and learn in their workplace. It’s an advantage to have an architectural background to understand project design, and to understand how to realise the client’s concept and idea.”
Nicol finishes on a positive message for young people starting out on their own adventures: “I’m grateful every day to have the opportunity to do what I love, and I’d like to encourage young people to pursue their dreams and never give up, even if it’s hard sometimes.”
Nicol´s own journey hasn´t finished yet. She’s keen to continue developing her skills even more so she can achieve her ultimate ambition – to become a project manager one day.
Published on the 19th of April 2021.
