Meret Gesierich successfully completed her dual studies in B.A. Medien- und Eventmanagement (Media and Event Management, German only) in 2019 – and was able to start working at a full-service event agency immediately after graduating. But then, all of a sudden, the pandemic required a great deal of flexibility. Fortunately, Meret was able to quickly switch gears and found a permanent position as an event manager in the field of press and public relations. In the interview, she tells us more about her current work and the advantages of the dual study program at the Media University.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Media University?
When I think of the Media University, I remember Professor Pöllmann and the events that we organized in his courses. I think of our jam session in the foyer, of podcast recordings in the basement, the water dispenser in the entrance and the many conversations with Julien in the administration.
I think of hot summers in almost equally hot lecture halls, Saturday block seminars for the IHK training and an endless supply of pretzel sticks for lunch.
I am grateful for four and a half challenging and fun years, for the chance to combine my bachelor’s and IHK degrees, for professors who developed cool projects for us, for IHK lecturers with whom we could go out for a few (or a few more) beers after the exams, and especially for my relationship and great friendships that started here.
You completed the dual study program B.A. Media and Event Management. What do you do now?
During my studies, I started my own business as a project manager for gala events and on the day I handed in my bachelor’s thesis, I was hired by one of my clients – in a full-service event agency. I really enjoyed working on the planning and implementation of media events such as award ceremonies and marketing events, but also on congresses and trade fairs, developing sponsoring concepts and accompanying incentive trips. But unfortunately, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I first had to work short hours in March 2020 and in May my employment had to be terminated.
Unemployment came as a surprise and was, of course, frustrating, but luckily it didn’t last too long. Since late summer, I have been employed in the press and public relations department of the German Pension Insurance. Public service – it wasn’t on my wish list during my studies, but things often turn out unexpectedly. Despite the pandemic, I got off to a great start there and have since been responsible for the conception and implementation of marketing and campaign events – currently primarily digital.
Why did you choose the dual study program B.A. Media and Event Management back then? And why did you decide to study at the Media University?
Before my studies at the Media University, I started a business administration degree at a state university and dropped out after the first semester because, as one of almost 400 students, I felt like just a number. I missed the personal interaction with the teachers as well as the practical relevance, so I looked for an alternative. At first, the tuition fees at the Media University, like those at other private universities, made me hesitant, but in the end, it was the family atmosphere and the dual model that convinced me.
What advantages do you see in a dual study program compared to a traditional degree program?
Despite the many projects we did during our studies, teaching is basically theoretical. The practical component was a very helpful and interesting addition. Most of the IHK lecturers work in the private sector alongside their teaching activities and provide examples from their day-to-day work – as well as a very relaxed way of interacting with us.
For me, the most important added value was that I learned commercial work, which is essential in my later professional life. The friendships that continue to exist from my studies are also almost all from the dual course, because you really grow together over time. The completed training was an advantage in job applications and if you want to do both, it definitely makes sense to combine the two because of the time saved and the often overlapping content.
Which contents from your studies do you find in your work or help you with your work?
It was precisely the practical relevance and the various projects that allowed me to gain a good insight into the industry, get to know processes and assess priorities while I was still studying. Part of my day-to-day work involves regularly pitching marketing ideas and event concepts.
The preparation through presentation training and real pitches in front of real customers during my studies helped me a lot. And to create these ideas and concepts, I use my fairly broad knowledge of market research, media planning and communication.
The preparation through presentation training and real pitches in front of real customers during my studies helped me a lot. And to create these ideas and concepts, you need a fairly broad knowledge of market research, media planning and communication.
Meret Gesierich
What do you particularly like about your work and what is a challenge?
In event management, I love the fact that I can be meticulously organized and totally creative at the same time. I enjoy coming up with concepts from scratch based on the event’s objectives, developing them further during the process, and then incorporating them into project plans. The job also thrives on contacts with customers and service providers, and especially on the challenges, spontaneity, and adrenaline on the day of the event. In those moments, you know what the night shifts were worth it for.
The challenges in the industry are particularly evident during the current pandemic. These consist primarily of the unpredictability of external factors: from little things like the weather to economic lows to a pandemic.
How did the job search and later application phase go?
Thanks to the contacts I had made during my practical year, I didn’t have to look for a job after graduating, as I received job offers from both the advertising agency where I worked in the first six months and from a freelance event manager from my time at Hubert Burda Media. Since I had realized that my heart beats above all for the event industry, I decided to go for it.
Less than a year and a half later, I was no longer able to work in the event agency due to the coronavirus pandemic, so I started looking for a new job. Due to the crisis in the industry, hardly any jobs were advertised and the few that were were all the more sought after. So I applied for jobs in other industries – hospitality, university management, PR. After four months, six applications and three interviews, I had two offers to choose from.
What advice would you give to new students?
Take advantage of the close contact with your professors and lecturers – as well as the (voluntary) project work, the additional offers and, above all, your practical phase!
I tried to take advantage of everything I could during the four years: job offers from my professors, coaching training, video production workshop, company excursions, trade fair visits… That helped me a lot to find out what I was good at and enjoyed. I also learned a lot and was able to score points in job interviews.
Despite the crisis, what opportunities do you see for your professional environment? What are your forecasts for the event industry in general?
As the name suggests, the degree program in media and event management covers two areas. While the event industry is currently facing major challenges, media management is more important than ever. After all, we are all using more media as a result of the lockdown: to work, to stay in touch, to shop and to have fun. The technologies and creative ideas for what is possible online, among other things, are therefore in demand. And that’s where both areas come together again, because the event industry can also benefit from this right now.
In my job in public service, I see what has happened in the last year alone. The processes there are certainly slower than in the private sector, and yet I have now implemented a whole series of events in hybrid form very successfully. Of course, it takes a little time to set up the technical infrastructure, find the right platforms, enable interactivity and, for example, provide music and catering at a distance, but it works.
Thank you for the fascinating insights. We wish you all the best and much success for the future.
