"HMKW is opening the door to get to know people from various backgrounds and cultures"

04/27/2021

International flair and exciting projects: Dlsoz Mohammed, student of M.A. International Marketing and Media Management, feels at home at HMKW Berlin and is currently writing her master's thesis on packaging design and related marketing strategies. In this interview, she tells us what particularly excited her about her studies and what plans she has made for the future after graduation.

What comes to mind when you think about your studies at HMKW?

What comes to mind when I think about my study at HMKW is the cultural diversity learning environment. By offering master's programs to students all over the world, HMKW is opening the door to get to know people and students from various backgrounds and cultures. This diversity is important because it allows you to study with students of different skills, be aware of the cultural differences, and hence will help you when you work in a workplace that is highly culturally diverse.

Why did you decide to study “M.A. International Marketing and Media Management”? And what made you choose HMKW Berlin?

I already have two master degrees, the first one is in English Literature and the second one is in business administration. After earning my degree in business administration, marketing appealed to me and I thought that this is the degree that will prepare me for a wide range of careers. Therefore, I decided to increase and enhance my knowledge in this field by studying a master's program in Germany which covers everything from advertising to market research. While I was doing my research for the universities that are offering master programs in marketing, I found the modules for M.A. International Marketing and Media Management at HMKW Berlin interesting and meet my needs. So, I applied to the program.

Did you get any work experiences prior to your master studies that you would like to share with us?

Yes, I have years of working experience. I worked as an instructor of English Literature, an interpreter, and a marketer in one of the leading telecommunication companies in my country.

You are currently also working for HMKW. How do you like it? Tell us more about your work experiences.

I had prior experience working at universities and marketing and I think working at HMKW has added more value to my working experience. I like my job at HMKW because it falls into these fields, education, and marketing. I like to work in my own field ´Marketing`, and I also like the idea of helping students to find their appropriate program and get an education with which they can make the world just a little bit better.

Souvenir photo at Google: Dlsoz Mohammed together with her fellow student Natalie Homann

Which seminar/project did you like the most so far?

I liked most of the projects so far. But there was an interesting project that I mostly liked to work on. It was working on a project for one of the advertising agencies in Berlin. I think it was such a joy to be able to work on a project from start to finish. In this project, I learned how to develop an effective marketing campaign.

What is the topic of your master thesis? Why did you choose it?

I am still in the process of writing my master thesis so I can only tell you that it is about packaging in family brands. I chose this topic because I wanted to investigate the problem of confusion that customers experience while purchasing a product. Every day we might experience this problem, so marketers need to decrease the occurrence of confusion by creating the right communication tool.

How did you like your online classes last semester? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of versus face-to-face classes?

I like more to have face-to-face classes because there are more opportunities for interaction and productivity. Online classes have been so far a little difficult for me, but I think HMKW, and the Professors were able to manage it perfectly. There are probably advantages and disadvantages of online classes courses, but I think we get the idea that we live in an ever-changing world that is ripe with new possibilities. The ability to learn new information or a new skill whenever you want and wherever you want offers far greater opportunities for education than ever before.

How are you experiencing life in Berlin? Was it easy for you to settle in? Would you like to stay here after your graduation?

I think that it has been a long and complicated road till I settled down. Becoming a student was quite all right for me because this was exactly what I wanted and where I wanted to be. It was not easy for me at the beginning to find a job, find good accommodation, and learn the language. But I am proud of myself that I overpassed all these difficulties and did not let anything stop me from achieving my dream. Berlin has become my second home and I will always have a special place for it in my heart after finishing my master’s degree. I would love to stay in Berlin after graduation, but I cannot plan anything for now.

What are your plans for the future?

The key to being a successful marketer is finding the right balance between traditional and digital marketing. I plan to find a company where I can grow my career and develop new professional skills in these two forms of marketing.

What’s your advice for students who decide to come to Germany/to HMKW to study?

My advice for students is to study the program that interests them most and that is relevant to their prior educational background. My second advice is to learn the German language. You can indeed get by in Berlin without knowing the German language, but if you decide to work, fluency will give you a crucial advantage in the job market.

Which characteristics should students have that want to study „International Marketing and Media Management“?

Students should have creativity, commercial awareness, strong attention to detail, communication, and analytical skills.

Thanks for the interview. We wish you much success for your master thesis and your career start.