What comes to mind when you think about your studies at Media University?
The great time during the studies at the Media University, the likeable fellow students and lecturers. It was a very exciting time. As students we had the chance to play a decisive role in the success and the external image of Media University. We moved from Hannoversche Straße to Ackerstraße, where we started with one floor and slowly saw how the "campus" was growing and how the university was picking up speed.
You acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Business Psychology at Media University Berlin. What is your current job position?
I am responsible for the central region at Kaufland Dienstleistung GmbH as a person of trust for employee retention. This job title may not mean that much to you. That is why I also introduce myself from time to time as a specialist in employee retention.
I heard this job for the first time in a lecture by Prof. Dr. Freytag. He introduced us to the profile of the Feel-Good-Manager. I found the job so exciting that I said to myself that if I ever got the chance to hold such a position, I would do everything I could to get it.
Did you get any further work experiences prior to your current position that you would like to share with us?
Sure. I worked for the DRK in Doberlug-Kirchhain right after my studies. In this job I looked after up to 1100 refugees with my 14-member team, as team leader of the home care. Care is also to be understood here in its entirety. It starts with the basic needs of bed, food and clothing and goes on to psychological problems, social education work and help with applications.
I also worked as a job coach for a short time and looked after 20 long-term unemployed people and tried to motivate them to participate in the first labour market again. The whole thing I did unfortunately with little effect, but with much commitment and stress. So I decided to change this job as soon as possible and to look for a job where my commitment, my knowledge and my competences are appreciated and used.
When did you figure out your preferred career path? How much was your choice influenced by the compulsory internship?
As already mentioned, Prof. Dr. Freytag put this flea in my ear. I read the job description of Kaufland at that time and thought to myself, man – that’s the job I really want.
In my case the internship did not play a great role, because I studied high school diploma, but with vocational training and 8 years of work experience. At that time, according to the study regulations an internship was not necessary, as I had already worked several prior to my studies. Nevertheless, I did an internship because I did not want to sit at home all the time. I worked full-time at ZAG. The company was one of the 7 largest personnel service providers in Germany at that time. However, the idea of my bachelor thesis was born through the internship.
Why did you decide to study “Media and Business Psychology”? And what made you choose Media University Berlin?
I found the combination of business topics and media aspects exciting. In addition, I have always been interested in psychology and when choosing a course of study, I deliberately looked for courses in business psychology in Berlin. After having finished my entrance test I decided to study at Media University. Since the conversation with Prof. Dr. Freytag captivated and fascinated me so much, I did not look for alternative universities and simply trusted that I could convince him of me just as much as he had managed to make Media University exciting to me.