Lennart Schneider

Job

What are typical activities for you in your job?

Corporate Development is a team that develops strategic plans for management and works on various projects. So far, my biggest project was a program to increase subscriptions to our weekly magazine. We also look at how we can develop further. That is, what might be new business fields or how we can improve the corporate culture. I like being able to actively work on improving the company - and the working environment is great.

When did you decide to take the job?

I wanted to work in the media industry, which is why I decided to study Communication Science. During my Bachelor’s, I realized that I also liked the business side of things - that’s where you can make decisions and actively participate. My Master’s moved me more strongly in the strategic direction. When I saw the job posting for DIE ZEIT at the end of my studies, the requirements fit my profile and my expectations perfectly. I read DIE ZEIT even during my studies and could identify with the company.

Studies

Why the University of Hohenheim? And why Communication Science?

I learned about the degree program during a “trial day” at the University - honestly, I didn’t know anything about it before then. When choosing a university, I looked at university guides, and Hohenheim was always ranked well.

Former students from my secondary school also told me positive things about student life in Hohenheim. Those two things together convinced me.

“Hohenheim has a good reputation in the subject and I only heard positive things about student life there.”

What were your studies like?

I focused on online communication and PR/corporate communication. I found both subjects very interesting, and I wasn’t the only one who thought that. Probably because they encompass a very broad range of topics. I especially liked the business courses, which is why I decided to concentrate more on that side of things during my Master’s degree. On the business side of things, you have a lot of opportunities to shape things, I think. Communicating what other people have decided - like is the case in a lot of communication jobs - didn’t appeal to me.

What about experiences outside of the classroom?

Hohenheim has a very lively student culture, and I wanted to support that. I worked in the Fachschaft and as a staff member in the Unikino.

I especially liked working in the Unikino because we strengthened communications at that time and could observe the success we had. More people quickly started coming, and the movies became more popular.

“Student culture in Hohenheim is very lively.”

After a few months, I took on the leadership and I had a lot of fun. During my Bachelor’s program I also worked in the Department of Online Communication and did an internship with an advertising agency in Stuttgart. I didn’t go abroad until my Master’s program.

What surprises and challenges were there during your studies?

It was surprising that there are a lot of statistics courses. Those classes were challenging, but they were definitely feasible. Especially if you worked in small groups and helped each other.

I also noticed that the exam phases were much more intensive than at school. You hole up with your books for a few weeks. But then things are quieter again and you can focus on “real life.”

“In Communication Science, you come into contact with a lot of different topics.”

What competences from your studies are important in your job today?

Communication Science is very broad, and you almost necessarily develop an interest in very different topics. You also learn to work on new topics independently.

When I think back on my studies in Hohenheim, I think of...

... the varied student life. I thought that everything around studying was just as influential as the program itself because you not only found friends, you were also able to pursue your passions without any interference.