Alumni

What is a typical workday for you (what is your field of responsibilities)?

The positive aspect about my job and company is that there are typical workdays as well as a lot of flexibility. If I want, I can spend weeks at events holding lectures on topics like Digital Measurement/Analysis. At the same time, I can also work very technically and analytically on the implementation of new features.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

The focus on internationality and practical skills has had a very positive influence on my development at Google. Particularly the structured and highly versatile project work, which often goes hand-in-hand with the curriculum at a private school, were also extremely helpful. Finally, I was able to really hone my team and leadership skills through extracurricular activities, for example, through my commitment to the Corporate Identity Team.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

Studies are short, so you should use the time to let your curiosity run wild. At the same time you need to keep your eyes peeled because your studies alone are rarely a unique selling point. And though it is sometimes difficult to make room for complementary skills and interests in addition to all the time spent in lectures or studying, it is often these which are the decisive factor in the end.

What is a typical workday for you (what is your field of responsibilities)?

For me there is no typical workday. Sometimes I brief advertising agencies on the upcoming campaign. Sometimes I carry out job interviews for openings in my team, and sometimes I do the budgeting and marketing planning. Every day is different.

How have your studies at CBS prepared your for your current position?

The presentation and rhetoric classes facilitated a smooth career entry for me, while also quickly winning me respect in the workplace. I still profit from that today.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

Get as much internship experience as you can in order to find out what really floats your boat. Going to work needs to be fun because it takes up such a large part of your life.

How has CBS prepared me for the professional world?

The practical learning in small classrooms perfectly prepared me for project and team work in my job today.

Why would I choose to study at CBS (all over again)?

CBS has taught me the crucial soft skills and latest knowledge through practical experience. This, of course, was based on a theoretical foundation, but constantly looking above and beyond the campus horizon was of much more importance.

What is your area of responsibility?

As programme director at the KCIG Academy, or rather, as a senior consultant at the KCIG GmbH, I take care of the operational management as well as planning & execution of management seminars. I am also responsible for project and process management consulting.

What did you especially like about studying at CBS?

CBS provides its students with all the necessary skills and opportunities which enable them to assume responsibility for themselves and others alike as they shape their future in an international environment.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

There is no typical day. The multitude of projects and clients provides a tremendous variety. Basically, what never changes are the meetings, drafting concepts, information processing and presentations.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

Knowledge of MS Office, presentation techniques and languages provided me with a very good foundation, on which to build my career. In my current position, I benefit from the generally broad focus of my studies.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

I would recommend making as many contacts with companies as possible and right away during your studies. But student life should also not be neglected. At CBS in particular, this flies by very quickly …

What did you especially like about your studies at CBS?

Thanks to CBS I had the opportunity to start building a network at a young age. The curriculum coupled with the extensive knowledge of the professors established a firm foundation for my professional career, as I have also found in my classmates very good friends for life.

What is a typical workday for you (what is your field of responsibilities)?

In the field of purchasing and supply chain management I work primarily with clients from the manufacturing industry. The focus is on both the analysis and implementation of cost reduction potential in terms of direct and indirect materials as well as defining and optimizing cross-divisional business processes. A typical workday consists of client meetings and workshops, in which ideas are developed, implementation strategies; or rather, the results of optimization are pinpointed and discussed.

How has CBS prepared me for the professional world?

The studies at CBS prepared me just fine for life after college. Thanks to the extensive and strong network CBS has with companies from various economic sectors, I was able to benefit greatly. So not only did I complete my internship abroad but I my BT in a leading pharmaceutical company as well, which was for me was both a valuable first contact with the industry while also providing me with the opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge directly in practice.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Planning and conducting leadership seminars and study trips as well as communication with REWE’s independent retailers through various channels.

How has CBS prepared me for the business world?

The practical relevance, which was a part of every course along with the soft skills taught well prepared me for my professional life

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

On the way to achieving your dream job do not forget to occasionally look left and right. Every step along the way is another experience.

What is a typical workday (what is your field of responsibilities)?

There’s no such thing as a typical workday for me. Not really, anyway, because every day is structured differently. I like that very much because that keeps my job varied and exciting. It is generally a good mix of days in the office (meetings, interviews with applicants, administrative activities), visiting clients (meetings, presentations, on-site auditing in a team), home office days (reviewing activities) and days at events (EY presentation, recruiting events, etc.).

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

The mixture of theory and practice, including the mandatory internships that go along with these, provides a very good insight into work life. This ultimately helped me to find the job that was right for me. The internationality – particularly language instruction (English and Spanish) – has prepared me very well for my current tasks in an international company. And last but not least, the many rhetoric classes (which at the time were not necessarily among my favorite courses) have been more than helpful for the tasks in my current position

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

I would first advise prospective students to try out as many different courses as possible during the first years of their studies – this could be various lectures, additional school-related events or internships – before choosing a specialisation. This is the best way to find out for yourself what is the most fun for you and in which direction you might want to develop professionally. It is very important to stick to your goals and ideas for the future. Do not be discouraged if things don’t work out the first time around, whether this be applications etc.

What is the field of responsibilities for an associate director?

As part of MediaCom’s Worldwide Team I am currently looking after a leading insurance company’s global media budget as well as advising our clients in the areas of media strategy, communications planning and media investment.

Has your profession entailed any foreign experience?

In March 2013 after 2.5 years at MediaCom in Düsseldorf, I moved within the company to MediaCom’s head office in London. In my role within the Worldwide Team I work daily with colleagues and teams from around the globe.

What did you especially like about studying at CBS?

What significantly influenced my career in particular was the high practical relevance, proximity to lecturers, soft skills training and the opportunity to build a professional network early on during my studies.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

The basic principles of economics (even though I probably do not actively apply them anymore) along with the slew of presentations and group projects were without a doubt helpful in preparing me for working life. The fundamentals at CBS and the part-time MBA were important building blocks for my professional development.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

Knowledge is one thing, clearly. But it’s the soft skills, foreign languages (in addition to English and Kölsch) and appearance that not only have gained importance but also become decisive factors as to whether you qualify for a job. The job market can be tough, so you need to be prepared. Be open, committed and self-confident while not overestimating yourselves. And even if you don’t know what you want to do in the future, doing internships and taking advantage of the Studium Generale programmeis a great way to obtain first insights into the business world.

What is your field of responsibility?

I am responsible for all employee issues relating to contracts, agreements, visas, work permits, residence permits, certifications, payroll, social security, training and career development. In addition, I handle the coaching of managers at BCG, conflict mediation, staff and budget planning for Switzerland while also being the HR business partner for our local partner group and bearing responsibility for the Bonus & Mobility programs.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

The program’s strong emphasis on practical orientation and the internationality of CBS along with lectures held in English formed an absolutely necessary foundation for pursuing a career in an internationally renowned company.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

Experience abroad is a benefit for any graduate in an internationally growing company, no matter where you are in life.

What is a typical workday for you (what is your field of responsibilities)?

Primarily, I handle media campaigns for “traditional advertising and PR”. My job also includes “below the line” activities, which focus on the representation of the products at the POS. Furthermore, I effect theme-based promotions and brand collaborations and am responsible for the entire online presence of the company, ültje. Here, I try and cleverly exploit trends in social media and e-commerce for our marketing messages.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

CBS particularly laid the foundations for my career today in the following areas:
– working structurally
– giving presentations
– conveying marketing-relevant content in campaigns

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

 I would recommend every student to get international experience and to enjoy the time at CBS.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

There is no “typical” workday in my job. As a project manager I am responsible for a sustainable improvement of our suppliers’ performance. In so doing I have to particularly take on the role as a communicator between departments within my company and representatives from our suppliers. Each project is different, which makes the job very exciting.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

At CBS I learned volumes about the making the right appearance and the importance of a network. In my current job I am the link between many parties. A confident demeanor along with a good network within the company are crucial in my line of work.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

Get out of your “comfort zone”. Take advantage of the elective courses, in particular, to try yourself out at something new. Over time this will help make it clearer to you just what your goals are as well as your effect on others

What does a typical workday look like for you?

There is no “typical” workday when it comes to consulting – from one project to another content changes, contacts and locations. The only thing that is the same every day is that I develop and implement concepts together with my clients in order to streamline their expenditure, realize potential savings and constantly master the hurdles that go along with every project.

How have your studies at CBS prepared you for your current position?

Along with good time management and many “soft skills” (from computer science to presentation skills to teamwork and negotiations), CBS has especially taught me logical reasoning. I know where I can look up theories and have certainly memorized these as well. But when it comes to client meetings, theory does not count as much as practical experience (i.e. through the mandatory internships) and common sense.

What advice would you give to prospective students along the way?

1. Use your time as a student – learn from the lecturers and your fellow students!
2. Hardly anyone starts off as a manager right after their studies. Work hard and build your network!
3. Enjoy the time, and have fun