Julia: Hi Chiara and thank you for taking the time for a short interview. You have already completed your apprenticeship in marketing communication. Tell me, why did you want to work in this field and why at spo-comm of all places?
Chiara: Hi Julia :) to be honest, I needed a bit of time after school to find out what I wanted to do. After working in sales and an abandoned training as an event manager, I came across the marketing department. Advertising and the various media have always interested and fascinated me, so this training was in a way made for me. I came across spo-comm in the classic way via an online job advertisement. On my trial day something clicked between my colleagues, bosses and me. I immediately got on really well with everybody and I also found the activities very interesting.
Julia: What were the topics of your apprenticeship?
Chiara: The content in the vocational school was broad, from marketing basics to print advertising and social media. Everything that goes with marketing. My practical activities at spo-comm were more specific. Mainly it was about SEO and SEA, i.e. Google Ads, maintaining the website and creating articles for our blog. I was also involved in the design of flyers and various photo shoots. And then I helped with the planning of our booth at the ISE and was even allowed to fly to Amsterdam with my colleagues. That was a really cool experience. In the beginning I also supported the sales department by creating offers and order confirmations. Like that, I was able to learn the ropes about Mini-PCs.
Julia: And what are your tasks in the marketing department of spo-comm?
Chiara: I mainly take care of the website and social media channels. That means I make sure that on the one hand the products with photos and their technical details are displayed correctly in our online shop. On the other hand, I provide our customers and followers in general with the latest content, from blog articles about our products or company news to a look behind the scenes. After I finished my training in February, I reduced my working hours to 30 hours a week in order to have enough time for my bachelor's degree.
Julia: That's right, you're still studying on the side.
Chiara: Exactly, I'm doing a distance learning bachelor's degree in marketing at iubh. Since I graduated from high school (“Gymnasium” in Germany), it was always my goal to study at a university. After I enjoyed the training in marketing so much, I decided to study at iubh. The whole thing takes place online and is therefore completely independent of location and time. But it is also very time-consuming and you need a lot of self-discipline and have to be able to organize yourself well. That's why I'm all the more happy that I had the opportunity to reduce my working hours at spo-comm and that I am always supported here.
Julia: That sounds really exciting. When do you plan to finish this?
Chiara: The standard period of study is 36 months, i.e. 3 years. Thanks to my IHK apprenticeship, I was able to have some of the content credited to me, which shortens my overall study time somewhat, as I no longer have to take certain modules. I started in April 2020 and should be finished with my studies by the end of 2022.
Julia: How do you like it in the spo-comm?
Chiara: Very good :) In addition to my tasks in marketing, which I really enjoy, I also get on really well with my colleagues. We are a colorful mix and it never gets boring. You can always count on support here. I also think it's great that I can contribute my ideas and that we can work independently here.
Julia: And we are happy that you are part of our team :)
Chiara: I am also happy to be here :)
