Why this programme

For which organisation are you currently employed and what is your job title?

RTL Nederland, Management Trainee

What main tasks do you perform?
During my traineeship of 18 months I will be working 6 months each for a different department within RTL. The first period I have worked as a project lead and data analyst at Videoland and RTL XL, RTL’s video on demand platforms. Working in multidisciplinary teams, I was responsible for setting up a new marketing project, managing a migration of a set of customers as well as analysing user behaviour, product features and A/B tests. Currently I am working as a data analyst at RTL Nieuws, the TV and online news department of RTL. Here I will be working towards better personalisation on our various online platforms by using the different data sources RTL has at its disposal as well as optimising user engagement. 

What made you decide to choose for a master (rather than immediately pursuing a career) after IBCoM?
Next to the expectation of employers in the Dutch Labour Market that you have completed a master degree, I also felt that it would better prepare myself for my future career if I had some more theoretical knowledge about my field of interest, in my case being Media & Business.

How long did it take for you to find a job after graduation? How did you find your job?
I already had a part-time job as a (social) media analyst during my studies, at which I could continue working during after completing my master. After that I quit that job to go on a three month-long trip to the other side of the world. Once I came back I started looking for jobs, leading to my application for the Management Traineeship at RTL a few weeks later, which ended up with me actually getting the job I wanted.

Is there a connection between what you have learned in IBCoM and your work? If so, how would you describe it?
Yes, there certainly is. I think IBCoM gave me a wide base of knowledge in the field of global communication and media, which combined with my own interest in the topic, still helps me in keeping up with market developments that are relevant for my current position at a major media company in a market that sits in the middle of vast (technological) disruption.

What advice would you give current IBCoM students about entering the labour market?
Try to find where your interests really lie before choosing which jobs to apply for. Does the company fit with your ideals and interests? Does the role give you enough opportunity to improve your skills and learn new things? Do you get responsibility for the work you deliver? If a job doesn’t feel right for whatever reason you can think of, it probably isn’t right for you at this early stage of your career. I don’t believe there’s something as a dream job, but I do think that working should be fun, so try to always keep that in mind!
 

A few years before starting my studies at Erasmus University, I visited Rotterdam with my family during my summer break. The city immediately captured my heart: so vibrant yet relaxing, so thrilling yet peaceful. Moreover, experiencing the Woudestein campus and its facilities was unique, since not every university in the Netherlands has a private campus! After that summer break, I instantly got the impression that this is where I want to start the next chapter of my life.

Interdisciplinair 

What I appreciate about the International Bachelor Communication and Media is its interdisciplinarity. It covers various fields of study, which is helpful towards determining career paths. During my first year, I discovered that I want to pursue a career in journalism. I joined IBCoM not being certain about my career goals, so I am thankful that the bachelor assisted me in making my choices.

IBCoMpanion programme

Given the fact that I have never lived abroad prior to moving to Rotterdam, settling in and making friends was quite a challenge. I was unsure about how to spend my time besides studying. Nonetheless, IBCoM truly puts in effort to ensure that incoming students engage with their environment and immerse themselves in studying and socializing. One example is the IBCoMpanion programme, in which second-year IBCoM students’ mentor first-year students, share their study experiences, and organise events aimed at inclusivity of the first-year IBCoM students. It was an incredibly helpful experience and so entertaining to the point that as a second-year student, I am an IBCoMpanion myself!

Ever since I was young, I found media a very interesting subject and I wanted to expand my horizon by studying in an international environment. The choice to study IBCoM was therefore not a difficult one for me, as it brought these two aspects perfectly together. The international environment is one of the things I liked most about IBCoM; it was very interesting to hear different perspectives on things. Of course, the opportunity to go on exchange, to Leeds (UK) was a very valuable experience as well, and one of my highlights during the three years at IBCoM.

After completing my bachelor’s in Communication and Media, I decided to continue my education at Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication by joining the Master Media & Business. One of the courses I followed was Media Policy, which prepared me well for my current job: Senior Advisor Strategy & Policy at the NPO, the Dutch Public Broadcaster. It certainly helped as well that I did my Master Thesis on public values in the online world, as this is a question the NPO grapples with. It is a very interesting time to be working at a public broadcaster: what does it mean to try and fulfill a public service purpose in a world where the choice in entertainment options is abundant and commercial international corporations play an increasingly important role in the life of Dutch citizens? It is very interesting and rewarding to get to think about this on a daily basis.

The research method courses during IBCoM have proven to be very valuable. Not because I do a lot of academic research in my current job, but because it helped me in developing analytical and critical thinking skills. This now enables me to think strategically about a number of challenges the NPO faces in the current environment. The course Media Systems also fits well with my current job. The way the public broadcasting system in the Netherlands is structured, makes much more sense when you have completed this course.

A piece of advice to all current and prospective students: always do the reading assigned to a course. Not because it’s obligatory but because it’s genuinely interesting and helps you to appreciate the subject you are studying more fully.

After visiting Rotterdam for the first time, I immediately knew that I wanted to study there. Being from a small town in Germany, the international atmosphere about Rotterdam was something I also wanted to reflect on in my study choice. It then didn’t take long for me to discover and go for the International Bachelor Communication and Media. It connects an international environment with a diverse curriculum that enables me to get insights into various career paths.

Nowadays, I have friends from all over the globe, which is helpful for my personal life, but I also believe that I can benefit from it career-wise. As my fellow students are also future colleagues, the study helps to develop a diverse and extended network. This is supported by the internship and the student exchange, which are also both part of the study and help you further familiarize yourself with topics of your preference. The favourite part about this study program is that it allows you to go into many different directions in the future. Which means that you can decide during your studies what the right career path for yourself personally is.

It is also important to mention that living abroad and in an international environment can be overwhelming at the start if you have never done so before. Cultural differences can lead to unknown situations, which require adaptation, respect and experience. However, this is also part of being an international student and building your own character, which is why I think IBCoM offers the perfect foundation for personal growth.

For me, the International Bachelor Communication and Media for me was an unexpected choice. I heard about the program through a friend, and I signed up for an Open Day after researching the curriculum a bit. After attending the lectures and talking to students I was fully convinced that IBCoM was the perfect study for me. From that point forward I’ve given IBCoM my full attention.

One of the most interesting parts of IBCoM for me is the agency granted to students when it comes to their course selection procedure. And the ability to delve into many institutional fields such as business, politics, and entertainment. Students who have an affinity for media and communication are bound to be a match with this program, as they can fully immerse themselves in how these fields interact with other fields.

One of the many lessons IBCoM has taught me is to how to be adaptable to change. Once the program starts you will start a constant process of change; you will have new ideas, beliefs, and habits. Once you reach the second year of IBCoM your academic and professional career will start to flourish in ways you didn’t even consider. Your determination and motivation will guide you to new extremes while creating irreplaceable memories with your international classmates.

After spending my gap year travelling and meeting new people from different backgrounds, I wanted to remain that international environment during my studies. When first visiting the Woudestein campus I already felt that the international spirit advertised towards the outside was readily recognizable towards the insight. Afterwards, it did not take me long to realize that the international Bachelor Communication and Media fulfilled all the expectation I had.

Not only does IBCoM offer a very diverse curriculum which allows you to explore a broad range of fields and career paths, but it also encourages you to follow your personal interests by choosing your own Focus Areas. I look forward to putting the theory I learned thus far into practice during the internship and expanding my horizon by making new friends and being part of new experiences during the exchange.

Aside the academics, learning with and from people from all over the world while being accommodated with openness, tolerance, and helpfulness, is what makes being part of the IBCoMmunity truly exciting! As an international student myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to start your studies abroad.

Especially since I started my studies during the pandemic, I was worried about my academic performance and not being able to settle down in Rotterdam. Looking back this concern was unjustified. Through the support and efforts from EUR as well as my fellow students I quickly felt comfortable and confident, at the university as well as in my personal life!

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

I am interested in storytelling with a focus on the entertainment industry but also marketing and advertising. I liked the fact that Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university known outside of The Netherlands as well, and IBCoM is one of the most prestigious media related bachelors. What I really enjoy about this programme is the combinitation of theory and practise. I feel like this balanced approach of IBCoM really helps me to acquire knowledge in a most effective way.

What do you enjoy most about IBCoM?

My favourite thing about this degree is that thanks to its broader scope, I have the freedom and opportunities to explore topics and fields that I am really interested in, which helped me to discover what career path I want to follow in the future.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

When I started IBCoM, I was still stuck with the mindset I acquired in high school that there are topics which are school-worthy and the ones I should not bother writing about, because they are not considered serious and they won’t get me good grades. Thankfully, with class discussions and feedback from teachers, I quickly realised it was completely invalid. I started writing about things I am actually passionate about even though they might not sound professional to some people. This resulted not only in my own satisfaction from the work I have done but also in better grades, as teachers here appreciate our engagement in the assignments as well.

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

For me, a Dutch student, studying IBCoM at Erasmus University is like discovering the world while being close to home. The international focus of the programme was an important reason for me to choose this path. There are students from all over the world studying at Erasmus which gives you an enormous opportunity to socialize with and learn from vastly different people. 

What do you enjoy most about the IBCoM programme?

One of the things I was most surprised by when starting my studies was how incredibly kind everyone is. It is scary to start school in a completely new city but the support I got from peers made it seem strange I ever worried about these things. The atmosphere at Erasmus is very positive and students are open minded and friendly. IBCoM is a programme in which you can really be yourself and develop in areas that matter to you.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

In the first year, there were a lot of different topics to cover such as research and statistics or analyzing media and pop culture. Because of this there was always a class that I enjoyed. At first I struggled a bit with the transition from highschool to university as you suddenly become completely responsible for your own time management. There are no teachers to tell you when to do your reading and when to finish your homework but after a short period of adjustment, I found it liberating to be able to do everything my own way!

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to learn about many different cultures, people and interact with them. This is an international study that not only has students from all over the world coming to study here, but also gives prospects the opportunity to delve deeper into global topics such as politics, media, business, technology and much more! Communication is another element of the study that is studied firsthand and teaches students how it is incorporated into our everyday live, the influence of it, and how it can be used to influence. 

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

We are given the opportunity to explore countless topics such as, social forces, business, politics, media entertainment, and more. I personally was interested in the business and media entertainment aspect and immediately fell in love with the idea of being able to further develop my knowledge of these two topics in my second year.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

During my first year, a struggle that I learned to deal with was how to study. Through trial and error (failure and success come hand-in hand), I learned what the best way for me was to study, manage my time and organise myself to meet deadlines on time. All whilst enjoying my first year, making friends and exploring the beautiful, diverse, international city of Rotterdam. 

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

Rather than studying straight after school, I decided to enter the workforce immediately and travel for a few years. When I finally decided to give university a go, I spent a lot of time researching bachelor's of communication worldwide. Quickly I realised that IBCoM here at EUR was the ideal course for me.

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

What first caught my eye was the emphasis put on fostering a global mindset within the IBCoM community. This is not seen only through the theory we study, but it is genuinely put into practice. Study materials and lecturers encourage us to explore beyond our own experiences of the world when carrying out research. From a more practical point of view, apart from the fact that most of us are international students, IBCoM provides an incredibly unique opportunity for us to live here in Rotterdam, complete an internship abroad, and spend our exchange period abroad, if we so wish!

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

The only worry I had before arriving, was my level of mathematics as some courses are statistics-focused. Fortunately, I found plenty of support throughout the semester and have successfully improved my research abilities. Each week we are guided through exercises and put theory into practice straight away, building our confidence as well as our skills.