Kristina Matis
Study programme: Information Management and Corporate Communications (BA) (opens in a new window)
Employer: Liebherr - Tower Cranes
Position: IT Business Solutions Architect
Contact: LinkedIn-profile (opens in a new window)
Straightforward or via detours: what was your school career like and what interests did you have as a younger person?
I came to my profession - or rather my passion - via a few detours. After my FSJ at Biberach District Hospital, I completed my training as a healthcare and nursing assistant. The job was demanding and challenging, and I am proud to have learnt it. But after my training, I knew that I wanted to study - something creative and future-orientated. I completed my advanced technical college entrance qualification and came across the IMUK degree programme. It was the best decision of my life. During my studies, I learnt a lot, experienced a lot and developed a lot. I have grown beyond my limits and today I can proudly say that I have gone my own way. I have always been fascinated by fashion, marketing and innovation. I admire people with vision - that hasn't changed to this day. I love lateral thinkers who stand by their opinions, are not afraid to be different and, above all, remain true to themselves.
What tips can you give young people who are looking for the right degree programme?
1. listen to your gut feeling: think about what really interests and excites you - not what others expect of you. Your passion is the best guide.
2. try things out: Internships, FSJ, part-time jobs or talking to people from different professions can help you find out what suits you.
3. be open to detours: Not everyone finds the perfect degree programme straight away. Sometimes detours lead to valuable experiences and better decisions.
4. inform yourself thoroughly: visit universities, take part in taster days and talk to students to find out more about different degree programmes.
5. think about the future, but stay realistic: choose something that will make you happy in the long term, but also make sure that the career offers prospects.
6. take your time: it's okay not to know what you want straight away. Pressure rarely leads to good decisions.
7. trust yourself: You don't have to know everything right away. Your path will develop over time - the most important step is to set off and take the first step.
Stressful or child's play: what was your internship semester like and what tasks did you take on?
During my practical semester, I was allowed to work on an ERP transformation. The changeover from one system to another with a new interface. It was a very instructive and extensive project. It wasn't always easy, but thanks to the good team, the project was a complete success.
What was your first job like and how did you hear about it?
I had actually applied for a job in marketing at the mail order company Walz in Bad Waldsee. But after a few days, I received a call from the HR department. They told me that my profile would also be a good fit for a position in IT. This idea immediately aroused my curiosity. After the first interview, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do. This unexpected turn of events had a decisive impact on my career path and showed me how important it is to be open to new opportunities.
What is your advice to all graduates who are looking for their first job?
Remain open to new things and don't reject them outright. Listen to the possibilities, think about them, do your research and stay curious. Your first job is either just the right thing - or an important experience that shows you what you might not want to do after all. Both are valuable, because it is these experiences and challenges that make life exciting and help you move forward.
Please describe your day-to-day work. Which projects do you work on and which tasks do you particularly enjoy?
My day-to-day work involves bringing people and systems together. I have already been involved in a number of ERP conversions and every project is unique. You plan, organise and coordinate, but things often turn out differently than expected - although the goal always remains the same. However, the real work only begins after a changeover, when the users have to work with the system on a daily basis and map their processes. My job is to ensure that the systems and interfaces function smoothly and that the users enjoy working with them.
How would you complete the beginning of the following sentence?
HNU... “has shaped me. In every respect. The projects, professors and students, all of that forms a personality and I am very grateful for that. Thank you dear HNU!”
