Why this programme

Choosing the master’s in media & business at Erasmus was an easy decision for me. I first discovered this university in 2020 during my bachelor's exchange, and when I first walked around campus, I sensed that this was the right place for me. My instincts were spot on, as I had an amazing experience during my bachelor's, encouraging me to return for my master's degree.

An unmatching experience

The remarkable quality of education, the charming campus, and the vibrant international atmosphere collectively create an unmatching experience at Erasmus. What truly attracted me about the programme was the flexibility it offers. The Media and Business programme empowers you to shape your master's to align with your goals and interests. The array of enticing electives enables you to explore diverse areas, and the course structure provides a solid theoretical foundation that is actively applied and debated in tutorials – a dynamic and effective way of learning.

Balancing academic and personal life

Nevertheless, the programme can pose some challenges. Personally, these involved time management matters. Balancing academic and personal life can be a bit overwhelming, especially for international students. However, with effective organizational skills and supportive friends, these challenges can be overcome.

Overall, the master’s in media & business at Erasmus offers an enriching educational environment that not only provides you with valuable knowledge but also fosters personal growth. If you're seeking a programme that combines academic excellence with a vibrant international community, this is the ideal choice.

An innovative approach to research applications

I chose the study programme because I wanted to study Media and Business at a university that understands the needs of students going into the current job market whilst maintaining a strong research background. I feel that sometimes education is either immensely practical or immensely research heavy. The Media and Business program takes both to provide students with the relevant knowledge to do both effectively. 

Wide Variety of Courses

In the Media and Business programme I can choose electives from a wide variety that allows me to complete my degree with the knowledge I chose. For example, I am really interested in business culture and digital news media (journalism, etc), and I have fellow classmates who are interested in digital fashion activism and data analytics, and those are all courses we can chose and take in the one-year Master. Even within the research-focused courses, you can pick topics that most appeal to you within a certain research style (qualitative/quantitative) and you are fully supported by professors to be creative within the topics. 

Supportive Professors 

I must say a highlight has been how supportive the teaching professors have been. They are interactive in lectures but especially seminars, and they truly care that students fully understand concepts and information, whilst also being open minded to creative ideas for presentation and essays as well as in discussions. This was immensely important for me when I started and it’s really pleasing to experience coming to class and feeling pride in your work that the professor creatively backed up. 

As Global Communications Manager at Philips, Media & Business (2021) alumna Maria develops and executes best-in-class internal and external communications strategies to enhance brand reputation and drive business objectives. She works closely with teams across different functions and regions to ensure effective communication and messaging. Maria shares with us her experiences with finding a job and working in the Netherlands.
 

What is it like to work as an international in a tech-company in the Netherlands?

It has been a wonderful experience, and I take pride in being an alumna of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Many of my colleagues also studied at Erasmus, leading to engaging discussions about our shared experiences. This environment allows me to offer a diverse perspective and collaborate effectively with colleagues from various cultural backgrounds. Being part of a multinational team promotes creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding, all vital in today's global business landscape.

How did your job search in the Netherlands look like?

I approached my job search in the Netherlands methodically, starting with extensive research on scholarship opportunities and internship programmes on university websites and job portals. I specifically targeted scholarships with mentorship programmes to gain an advantage and build a professional network during my master studies. 

And with success: I was fortunate to receive the NN Future Matters Scholarship, which funded my studies and included a mentorship programme from the company. Towards the end of my studies, I proposed conducting my master's thesis on a business case in collaboration with NN Group, an idea warmly embraced by both the company and my supervisor. This experience allowed me to gain extensive knowledge about the company and build a strong network. The scholarship and my decision to do my master thesis with the company helped me secure my first role at NN Group.  

How did you experience the interview process?

The interview process in the Netherlands is generally structured and thorough. Employers often conduct multiple rounds of interviews, focusing on both technical skills and cultural fit. As a candidate, you should expect behavioural/HR questions alongside technical assessments such as a writing assignment for communications roles.

What advice would you like to give to ESHCC students entering the labour market soon? 

In the Dutch labour market, personal connections and networking play a significant role in finding job opportunities and advancing your career. Therefore, I encourage students to actively participate in networking events, join professional associations, and leverage online platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in their field of interest. Building and maintaining relationships with peers, alumni, mentors, and industry professionals can provide valuable insights, advice, and potential job leads. Don't hesitate to reach out to your network for opportunities, or advice on navigating the job market.

Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work can greatly enhance your options and help you stand out to potential employers. Another way to increase your chances of catching the attention of employers is to customise your CV and cover letter for each application as it demonstrates your specific qualifications and genuine interest in the role. 

Finally, staying informed about industry trends, job market demands, and skill requirements is crucial for adapting and positioning yourself competitively in the labour market. Continuous learning and development will be essential throughout your career journey. Proficiency in Dutch, for instance, can further broaden your options, especially for Dutch agencies or those involving client interaction in the Netherlands. 

Want to connect?

If you're interested in connecting or learning more about my journey, please don't hesitate to reach out to me on LinkedIn. As a former ambassador of the faculty, I continue to support students who are interested in studying or working in the Netherlands.

After finishing my bachelor’s in Communication Sciences I was unsure which master to choose. I knew my passions and interests lay in organisational communication, however, I was uncertain as to how I could dive deeper into this area while acquiring complementary knowledge which could enrich my path to building a career.

Futuristic approach to teaching

After researching and comparing different master programmes, I noticed that Media & Business was one of the few which addressed a wide range of fields of study related to new media and corporate management, ranging from surveillance and artificial intelligence to corporate social responsibility and marketing. The entrepreneurial nature of the courses’ content is also something that I have come to love about the master specialisation. But in my opinion, one of the most exciting aspects of Media & Business is its futuristic approach to teaching. Students learn about the role and impact of media within organisations, however, they are also encouraged to critically think about how future technologies might impact organisations of the future.

Self-learning capabilities

During my previous studies I got familiar with mostly in-class learning which meant a higher load of classes per week. The weekly Schedule of Media & Business, on the other hand, is much less overwhelming with classes highly relying on the students’ self-learning capabilities through the materials provided in the university’s platforms. At first, I struggled with this teaching style, as I had encountered some time management issues during my bachelor's. However, this method has allowed me to learn how to best manage my responsibilities while balancing my personal and academic life.

International environment

Lastly, the international environment of both the university and the master specialisation allows students to exchange experiences and opinions in and out of class. This exchange has especially helped me gain a global view of how new technologies are impacting different countries at different rates and in different ways.

After moving from Finland to France, and later to the Netherlands, I was certain I wanted to complete my university education abroad. After completing my bachelor’s degree, making the choice for the right master’s programme followed. What stood out to me from Erasmus University Rotterdam and Media & Business, in particular, is the way the specialisation incorporates theoretical courses while keeping the focus on the professional field.

A variety of research methods

Having a background in Media and Culture Studies, I enrolled in Media & Business to broaden my knowledge of media from an organisational perspective, focusing on communications and digital transformations. What I encountered from the start was the emphasis on the different research methods. While I didn’t work with some of these methods, such as the quantitative methods, during my bachelor’s, we were able to practise them from the beginning. Exploring new methodologies was both challenging and useful for upcoming courses as well as for conducting a master’s thesis later in the year.  

Broadening your interests

Media & Business offers a range of courses suitable for my future, as I later aim to start my professional career within the field of communications. However, since the start of the specialisation, I have taken part in courses such as Media Economics and Media Management, which have broadened my understanding of the economics of media companies. This course gave not only many ideas for a possible master’s thesis, but also career prospects after the specialisations. For this reason, I also encourage future students to explore topics outside of their planned trajectory.

The story about why I chose this specialisation, and the city of Rotterdam is actually quite romantic. Last year, while I was living in Belgium, I had the chance to visit some cities in the Netherlands and I immediately fell in love with Rotterdam.

International and stimulating environment

It was such a big feeling of belonging that I checked the website of Erasmus University Rottedam and found out that the master specialisation Media & Business suited perfectly with what I wanted to do. I’ve always loved living and studying in an international and stimulating environment and everyone told me that Erasmus University Rotterdam was the first and best choice. I did a Bachelor in Italy, in IT and Communication. After finishing my bachelor and my exchange, I was finally ready to take on a new challenge and start a new academic adventure abroad.

Communication and speaking in public have never been a problem for me and I have chosen Media & Business to improve my skills in Public Relationships, Brand Communication, Corporate Communication, Advertising, and Media Transformation, which are all subjects I am very fond of.

Create your personal path

Moreover, this master specialisation offers a real international and dynamic experience with other students from all around the globe. But also, with international professors which gives you an analytical and entrepreneurial perspective on the new business of media. Furthermore, this specialisation allows you to create your personal path by attending different workshops and courses.

It could be a hard choice, deciding to move to another country with a different academic and study approach, changing downright your life. I strongly believe that all the efforts will be rewarded, and I would choose this Media & Business again and again.  

Prior to enrolling in the master specialisation Media & Business, I completed a bachelor’s in international studies at a different research university in the Netherlands (Leiden University). This is a multidisciplinary bachelor with focus on economics, politics, history, and culture.

Unique combination

I decided to study Media & Busniess because it feels to me a unique combination of media and business, two fields that I am equally interested in. I wanted to get a sense of the interplay between them and have the opportunity to work on entrepreneurial and business-oriented projects, while learning about communication and media markets.

Many strong assets

Media & Business has many strong assets, including the interesting curriculum, the engaging teaching style, the possibility to do an exchange program, the freedom to select topics for assignments, and the international crowd.

Yet, what I consider the most valuable aspect is the practical side that this master specialisation offers to the student. From start to finish, the student is encouraged to be a self-starter and get hands-on experience. In this way, the master’s seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice. For the most part, teachers treat students as partners, being curious about their ideas and turning the classroom into a dynamic project field for real-life cases.

Media Economics and Media Management

My favourite course is Media Economics and Media Management. This course discusses multiple economic and business principles applied to media markets. The lecturer makes it relevant and fresh, by bringing cutting-edge examples from diverse industries. The projects proposed as part of the course are motivating and encourage the student to think outside-the-box and apply the theory into practice.

When I started studying my HBO bachelor Creative Business, I always told everyone that I would go to university to get my master’s degree. Now, here I am! Ever since I started my HBO studies, I felt the need to excel in the field of media and business. Therefore, I decided to study Media & Business and, for me, there is truly no better place to do this than at Erasmus University.

Aside from Erasmus University being close to the city I already live in, the courses and teachers really make it a unique master Specialisation that prepares you for the job market (or for future studies). And your fellow-students, who are from across the world, and being part of a diverse classroom make it even more educational.

Premaster Media Studies

As I came from a Dutch university of applied sciences (or HBO) I first needed to complete the premaster Media Studies at Erasmus University to later enrol into the master specialisation Media & Business. My experience with the premaster was very good. It serves as a good foundation and will make your life much easier during the master specialisation. Especially if you previously struggled with research courses.

Choose your own courses

Media & Business has many different courses and one of the perks is that you can choose some of the courses yourself. One of the elective courses that I really enjoyed and find very insightful is Strategic Mass Communication. The lecturer is very passionate about the subject and shared all kinds of (personal) historical and current experiences and stories. Creativity and research come together at the end of the course when you make your own strategic mass communication project.

Public relations

This master made me realize that I am very interested in public relations. I still don’t know exactly the job title I would like to claim after my studies, but I would like to do something related to public relations. Luckily, this master specialisation offers lots of possibilities on the job market and I still have time to figure it out.

It is a well-known fact that international environments drive innovation and creativity, and Erasmus University is a great example of this. Surrounded by openminded, innovative, and driven people, this is a place where people can push themselves to overcome challenges and create solutions.

First choice

In my final year of the International Bachelor Communication and Media at Erasmus University, I knew that the master specialisation Media & Business was going to be my first choice in continuing my path to build a successful communication and marketing career. There is a list of reasons for why I chose to stick with Erasmus, but above all, I appreciated the international environment and exciting career opportunities that Media & business offered.

Tools to apply knowledge and skills

My favorite aspect of Media & Business is the teaching material and teaching style. Ranging from a plethora of academic insights to gaining firsthand practical experience. Media & Business has not only taught me the ins and outs of business communication, but it has given me the tools to apply my knowledge and skills to a flexible degree of fields and positions. The teaching style itself is also noteworthy as it is incredibly engaging. The seminars require preparation so you can engage and be part of the discussion, which in my experience, is the best way to learn the material.

Rotterdam’s Bustling City Life

As someone who has lived their entire life right here in Rotterdam, I can vouch for its dynamic city life. Rotterdam is a very young, artsy, and almost edgy city full of contemporary art and culture. Living in this city is a must for anyone who wants to experience a vibrant city life full of students and young entrepreneurs. Packed with restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, museums, special events, and more, I can guarantee that you will never get enough of this city.

Why did you choose the Master Media and Business? Was it a conscious choice for a specific career path? What other factors contributed to your decision?
I was always interested in corporate communications during my Bachelor in Communication and Media (IBCoM), and was looking for a master programme to specialize in that field. I talked to the teachers and students of the Media and Business programme to learn more about the content. They told me about the programme’s focus on practical skills that I could fall back on when I would enter a company, which was what I was looking for. Basically, that is why I chose this programme.

Has the Media and Business programme lived up to your expectations?
Yes, definitely. It includes a lot of corporate case studies, which prepare you for life after university.

How long did it take you to find a job after graduation?
It took me two months. It was a full-time commitment: every day I got up at nine and sent out applications until six. It’s definitely a full-time job to apply for a full-time job, which I think is something that people tend to forget. You need to search actively and be on top of things all the time. 

For which organization or company do you currently work, and what is your position in the company or organization?
I work for Shell, as an External Relations Advisor.

How did you find your first job?
I was always thinking of applying to Shell, as it was definitely in my top five of companies I want to work for. However, I thought a job at Shell might be too technical for me, as I don’t really know much about chemicals or engineering. But then I talked to a few recruiters who encouraged me to apply, as they thought I would be a good fit for the company. The application process was just like any other large company: you apply on their website, you go through a whole process where they break you down and build you back up. I made it through five application rounds, and got the job.

What are your most prominent tasks?
I work for internal communications so I work inside the company, explaining and communicating to employees. Because Shell is such a massive company, the internal communications team is quite large as well. My clients consist out of different departments throughout the company. I am involved with setting up internal campaigns and organizing communications on a strategic and practical level. It’s been a very steep learning curve. Communications is not an exact science, so it’s important to know your audience well to get the message across.

Which components of your Master are useful in your current position or career trajectory?
Essay writing came in very handy, and was a really good way to prepare for a job like this. The writing component of Media and Business definitely prepared me for working in corporate communications. I need to be a chameleon, and write in different styles for different audiences.

Any advice for new graduates?
I think it’s really important to not become desperate throughout the job application process. I know that looking for a job can really crush your spirit, but it is important that you don’t let that happen. There are jobs out there. You might not get exactly what you set out for, but in the end you will get there. It’s just a matter of time.