Yacht Design Alumni stories

On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed 20 alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Valentina Speciale, student of the VIII edition of the Specializing Master and today Interior Design Manager at Rossinavi.

Discover her path!

I am currently Interior Design Manager at the Rossinavi shipyard in Viareggio. I started working in this company in 2009 starting thanks to the internship period of the Master. In particular, I deal with the internal fitting of the ships under construction at the Viareggio plant. They are the link between the Interior Design studio (external to the construction site and different for each order) and the companies to which the yard contracts the construction of interior furnishings.

To date I have followed seven constructions, the last of which is a 70mt currently under delivery.

Before the start of the Specializing Master, however, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Civil Architecture.

Surely the path chosen for work activity turned out to be far from the notions acquired at University but, my deep passion for the sea and the experience of the Specializing Master helped me to face the job with courage and method, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from everything I saw and heard on site. In fact, the Specializing Master helped me to make the right choice, that is to enter the world of shipbuilding.

I was impressed by the teamwork and the possibility of tackling new projects with people of different age groups and backgrounds that encouraged me to continue in the sector, despite the period of economic crisis at that time. And against all expectations, I was able to find a valid work environment in a short time and to continue working peacefully.

The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master is undoubtedly TRAVEL. Mine started there and it’s not finished yet. Without saying anything to anyone, I did the interview back in January 2009 and I did it. From that moment my life changed: I changed the city, Viareggio became my second home and there I built my family. In short, a beautiful journey that still continues filling me with satisfaction.

The advice I can give to young people who are entering the Specializing Master is to take advantage of the precious lessons of different and important figures in the nautical world to learn as much as possible notions and take the opportunity of group work to compare and get to know other course mates. I remained very attached to some of my companions who then continued in the nautical world and it is nice to continue to meet and discuss in the world of work.