Patrick Dillenberger, B.A.
Current job:
Head of Communications at SHARE NOW
Studies in Mannheim:
Media and Communication Studies
Highest degree:
Bachelor's
Career
During my studies of Media and Communication Studies at Mannheim, I was a student assistant at the Institute of Sports where I took care of the social media channels. That way, I was able to gain first experiences as an online editor. I also completed an internship in marketing/
Tips for starting your career
I would recommend prospective students and students of Media and Communication Studies two things:
- firstly, gain as much professional experience as possible. Completing internships in different areas of media and communications is an asset. You could go into broadcasting, publishing, journalism, or PR, be it in a start-up or a major corporation. The field is diverse like hardly any other. Try out different things to find out, what suits you most and is the most fun.
- Secondly, it is not only about the industry you choose, but also about the team leaders in the company. For example, I was never really interested in cars but still decided to go to Daimler after my studies. Why? Because during the interview, I had the feeling that I was in tune with the person facing me. It paid off: my former boss was my mentor for more than three years and taught me almost everything I needed to know about my job.
Relevance of the studied program
One of the most important skills you need in communications is the ability to understand complex issues fast and holistically. Only then can you create communicative content and introduce appropriate measures. This is something I learned at the University of Mannheim, particularly through academic writing in the seminars and lectures of Media and Communication Studies. But also, the network I established and the university’s good reputation were two assets when I started my career.
Last updated: February 2023
Credit: Fotofabrik Stuttgart