Sarah Lehmann
Study programme: Information Management and Corporate Communications (BA) (opens in a new window)
Employer: vialytics GmbH
Position: Senior Director Marketing Global
Contact: LinkedIn-profile (opens in a new window)
For what reasons did you decide to study at HNU?
After leaving school, it was clear to me that I wanted to stay close to home and at the same time orientate myself professionally. I ruled out natural sciences, so I specifically looked for degree programmes that combined communication and management. That's how I came across Information Management and Corporate Communication (IMUK) at HNU. The degree programme appealed to me straight away because it offers a wide range of content and is ideal for someone who perhaps can't or doesn't want to commit themselves completely yet. I found this mixture of different areas particularly exciting: you get an insight into many topics and can find out for yourself what you are particularly interested in. I was also attracted by the fact that I was the first person in my environment to study at HNU - that was also an incentive for me to take a new path.
What tips can you give young people who are looking for the right degree programme?
Above all, I would give young people the following advice: You don't have to make the right choice 100% right from the start. After leaving school, you often start studying at a very young age and simply can't know exactly which path is the right one. This usually only becomes clear over time. It is important that you have a few clues as to what interests you and then embark on the adventure of studying with an open mind. Even after the first semester, you often realise: Does this feel right for me? But sometimes this realisation only comes later in your studies. Some people quickly realise: this is exactly what it is, because the degree programme offers many facets in which you can develop further. Others may only realise after a while that they want to reorient themselves. So my tip is to focus on one or two subjects or areas that you feel good about and let the rest come to you. Honesty with yourself is crucial here. Keep asking yourself: Is this really something I want to do later? If the answer to that is predominantly "yes", you're on the right track. And if not, it's perfectly okay to change course again.
What experiences during your studies have had a particular impact on you?
There are actually an incredible number of impressions that have shaped me during my studies. Studying is simply something completely different to school. Even if you feel very grown-up after leaving school, you quickly realise that a lot of things are different at university. To be honest, I was quite overwhelmed at the beginning. Suddenly you are completely responsible for yourself - for finding your way around the procedures, choosing the right courses, registering for exams or organising project work. These are all things that you are not really prepared for at school. Nevertheless, the positive experiences clearly outweigh the negative ones for me. The IMUK degree programme was just right for me because it is so diverse and offers many opportunities for individual development. Whether through the compulsory elective subjects, the practical projects or the integrated internship - I was able to try out very different areas. I also particularly remember the trip to Malaysia with the faculty, the intensive project work, where we really grew together as a team, and the study phases in the library before the exams. And of course the legendary HNU parties, which were simply part of it. Looking back, I am very happy about this colourful mix of experiences - they have shaped me to this day and I wouldn't want to miss any of them.
Exhausting or child's play: What was your internship semester like and what tasks did you take on?
It was definitely exhausting. There's no need to beat about the bush. Despite all the learning phases and timetabled lectures, you always have free time during your studies. This changes abruptly during the practical semester. For me, there was also the fact that it took place in the summer - while other students might have been able to enjoy their free periods, I was working full-time. This change to the world of work was more challenging than I had expected beforehand. You are suddenly challenged a lot more, take on responsibility and get a lot of new input. To be honest, I was often just really tired in the evening. :D Looking back, however, I can say that I was very lucky with my internship. I was at Wieland AG in Donautal in the Marketing and CRM department. Together with a fellow student, I was able to support the CRM team there for six months. Our tasks were varied: among other things, we coordinated and organised training courses for Wieland sales. This meant that we had to familiarise ourselves intensively with the CRM system and all the associated processes - from project planning and requirements management to internal communication. This mixture of practical relevance, responsibility and teamwork was a very valuable experience for me, for which I am still grateful today.
What is your advice to all graduates who are looking for their first job?
My most important piece of advice is to start early and take the pressure off having to find the perfect job straight away. I underestimated the effort and dynamics of the labour market back then and started looking for a job too late. Especially in the last semester, you are often very busy with your Bachelor's thesis, the defence and possibly exams. Nevertheless, it is worth thinking about the direction you want to take afterwards. It is helpful to ask yourself: In which area did I feel particularly comfortable during my studies? Was there any project work in which I took on a particular role that particularly suited me? Or did my internship show me whether I see myself more in a corporation, a medium-sized company or a start-up? Considerations such as: Do I want to stay in my current city or am I perhaps drawn abroad? help to focus the search. What many people don't expect straight away is that the labour market can be quite demanding. Even entry-level positions often require a lot of experience, which is of course not always realistic. So don't let this discourage you. Pick one or two areas in which you can imagine starting out and rely on your gut feeling. It is not at all important whether you stay with your first employer for five years. It is more important that you feel comfortable and can develop in the new environment. A practical tip: sign up for job newsletters or regularly check career platforms. And the more concrete your idea of your future job is, the easier it will be to search specifically and find suitable positions.
What professional goals are you pursuing for your future?
I have actually managed to progress from Junior Marketing Manager to Senior Director Global Marketing within ten years. Today, I have reached the position that I had already set myself as a goal when I was a student. I am very proud of that. There are two main things I want to focus on in the future: firstly, I want to develop further in my leadership role. I see myself as someone who leads more in the sense of a coach - that works well, but I am convinced that I can continue to grow in terms of my soft skills and my impact on other departments or at a higher company level. On the other hand, I'm keen to take the next step at some point - for example at C-level as Chief Marketing Officer. I could also see myself working as a consultant: Supporting other companies or teams in developing and implementing marketing internationally and strategically. The diversity and dynamism that the field of marketing offers is what motivates me to keep defining and working towards new goals.
How would you complete the following sentence beginning?
HNU... "was a great place for me to grow and blossom - it made me the person I am today."
