Alexandre Pichot-Nusslé’s Advice to Graduates: “Be Proud of Who You Are”

myGwork met Alexandre Pichot-Nusslé, an analyst at Blackstone, who shared his journey starting at Blackstone, why being out at work is important to him and his advice for LGBTQ+ graduates entering the professional world.

Hi Alexandre - thanks for chatting to us! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Alexandre Pichot-Nusslé – 26 years old and live in London. I have been working as an analyst at Blackstone, a financial services firm for over a year. I sit within the company’s Public Affairs team, working across our public relations and communications efforts in Europe. I previously worked for a financial public relations firm, which was my first graduate job. I studied history at the University of Warwick and did a year of law at the University of Law.

What was your experience at university like - were you able to be open about your identity?

I did not come out until after I graduated from university and moved to London. Looking back, I wish I had been open about my sexuality at university, and if I could do things differently, I would’ve come out earlier. But everyone goes through their own journey and comes out at their own pace, and I try to remind myself every day to focus on the present and the road ahead, as the journey never ends!

How optimistic are you about LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace?

I have been very fortunate to have worked in inclusive workplaces where diversity, including LGBTQ+ identity, is completely normalized and, in the case of Blackstone, celebrated. While I only started working four years ago, thanks to my conversations with LGBTQ+ mentors and my own experiences, I am definitely optimistic about our direction of travel. An ever-greater number of organisations are embracing diversity in their workforce, including gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation, in a way and to an extent they never have before. In my own experience, I have never felt the need to hide this part of my identity in the workplace, and more importantly, I come to work every day knowing that I will be recognised for the different perspectives that I bring to the table as a gay man.

Are you able to be out at work?

I was out at Blackstone before I even got the job! During the interview process, I felt that it was important for me to come as my true self, and my sexuality is a core part of my identity. Coming from a small agency, I was also keen to join a company with a strong diversity offering and was interested in hearing more about Blackstone’s affinity networks, including any opportunities open to LGBTQ+ employees.

In my first job, I came out very early on to my colleagues. I like to think that one of the main ways to normalise LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace (and in general) and remove the stigma and pressure associated with coming out is to treat it as a “normal” interaction rather than a “big reveal”. That’s exactly how it happened, and I’ve never received any negative reception since!

Before applying for a job, do you check their diversity and inclusion policies?

Yes, diversity and inclusion are some of the first things that I would consider when applying for a job. Coming out and getting my first job out of university around the same time, I’ve since always wanted to be part of an organisation that I believe in and where I can be myself, and strong DEI policies and a culture that recognises diversity are two of the best indicators in my view.

Are there any LGBTQ+ networks at Blackstone?

At Blackstone, we have an LGBTQ+ network, OUT Blackstone, which has a global presence, including a thriving community in our London office. As a member, I’ve met fantastic colleagues, allies and other professionals from across the financial industry and have had the pleasure of joining some amazing and fun events, like our London Pride Summer Party, which is a personal highlight. The network also exists within a wider ecosystem, providing a platform for intersectionality and networking across our various affinity networks in the firm and connecting Blackstone employees with outside organisations like myGwork!

What advice do you have for students entering the workplace?

Be proud of who you are, and remember to be yourself. Moving from university to the workplace is a big change, and in my experience, being able to bring my full self to work every day made this extraordinary transition just a bit easier. I would also encourage you to network with as many LGBTQ+ professionals and allies, you will create connections that you will value for the rest of your career.