Why this programme

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.

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.