When it comes to career planning, we often focus on the immediate next step in front of us. We look for growth within our current borders, sometimes overlooking the fact that the most transformative opportunities might be just a flight away. For Paolo, moving to Budapest wasn’t a detour - it was the decision that gave his career a new dimension.
     
I started my Roche journey as a contractor in Switzerland. I quickly realized I wanted to build a long-term future here, but I didn't want my growth to be on 'pause' while waiting for the perfect local opening. I knew that to move at the pace I envisioned, I needed to be proactive - even if that meant relocating to find the right permanent role.
That’s what led me to Budapest. It was a leap into a vibrant city with a different culture and a new way of working. Moving abroad does something to your mindset that staying put never can. It forces you to navigate ambiguity and communicate across cultures. As an extrovert, I learned to adapt my style to a new environment, and that’s where the real growth happened. In Budapest, I didn't just find a new office; I found a "professional springboard." It’s where I earned my first leadership role, gaining seniority and perspective that would have taken much longer to establish elsewhere.