Boost your career

Janet Blasius is from Merzig in Germany’s Saarland region. Following her Bachelor studies in Hospitality Management at IU, she has worked for over a decade in the industry, and now serves as the head of Marriott’s talent programmes and brand training for the whole EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region.

Having grown up in the gastronomy sector, I wanted to combine my experience of the family hospitality business with my own independence and desire to carve my own path. 

An Independent Vision

My parents owned a restaurant and inn, so I was surrounded by that sector right from the beginning. With my mother being particularly active in the industry, I soon became interested in it myself, though in the end I decided against taking over the family business in favour of making my own way. That path lead me to study Hospitality Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

The Personal Touch

I found studying at IU to always be dynamic and exciting. There was the practical side of the learning, which was very important, but I was also never short of opportunities to be academically challenged. What I liked best was the personal touch – I was never treated as a number and I was always able to make great connections, many of which have lasted in the form of friendships with my fellow students.

New Directions

After graduation, I undertook the Management Trainee Programme at the Ritz Carlton in Wolfsburg with a focus on Food & Beverages. Though I learned a lot and made some great contacts there, it also led me to a revelation: the HR sector was where my true career passion lay. After a spell in an entry-level HR role with an executive search firm, and subsequently a Master’s in HR, I returned to the hotel world in 2012, working as an Assistant Training Manager at the Atlantis the Palm in Dubai. Since 2020, I have been responsible for Marriott talent programmes and brand training for the whole EMEA region, based in Marriott’s Frankfurt offices. My IU experience helped me understand how important networking would turn out to be through all of my career developments, not to mention how much my workplace communication skills benefited from the fact that all my IU lectures were delivered in English.

Giving Back on the Alumni Council

I got involved with the Alumni Council because, ever since I graduated, I retained a strong sense of connection to IU, until eventually I decided to reactivate that connection. I wanted to get personally involved again, to help create an interface between alumni, students, companies, and the university. This experience has reminded of how much you can learn just by listening to people and being genuinely interested in what inspires them and how you can help them on their career path. An active alumni network is a great way to stay in touch, learn from others, and create opportunities.

To current students I would say: cultivate your contacts, remember that the career path is rarely straightforward and it’s OK to try out different things, don’t worry about starting small, and always remember to take time for yourself along the way. As for my fellow alumni, get involved too! Go to any meetings and get-togethers organised by your local IU Alumni Network, and attend the online events as well.

From air traffic officer to controller of a Swiss airport – with good work, high motivation and a Bachelor’s degree, IU International University of Applied Sciences alumnus Anthony rose through the ranks and is now looking after major projects at Flughafen Zürich AG.

I started my career doing an apprenticeship as an air traffic officer. After that, I worked for different companies in the air traffic industry and so, right from the outset, I was highly specialised in this sector. To get an insight into a range of other industries and methods, I started online studies in business administration at IU. At this time, I was working as a senior analyst at Flughafen Zürich AG.

With a degree from Senior Analyst to Major Projects Controller

I didn’t have to wait long for my degree to bear fruit: While studying for the degree, the position of Major Projects Controller at Flughafen Zürich AG was advertised, which required a university degree. Thanks to my previous good work, my personal motivation and the prospect that I would soon be graduating, I got the job.

As Controller, I now support all major projects at Flughafen Zürich AG with an implementation sum of at least 50 million Swiss francs and can devote myself to my passion and fondness for figures. The most exciting projects currently include the project to construct a new, small district in a projected called The Circle and expanding the central baggage sorting system at the airport. Within this framework, I also support subprojects for the purposes of credit management. I calculate the business cases for them and create reports and analyses for the decision-makers. It’s easy for me to draw on the assessment methods for the business cases I learnt in my degree because I was able to develop a deeper understanding of them through my studies.

Promotion, family and studies: IU’s flexible learning model makes it possible

The fact that I managed to study alongside my full-time job and also change to a new job with more responsibility was only possible due to IU’s flexible time model: A typical day for me comprised office time, time with the family and then only when my children had gone to bed did I have time to study. Fixed classroom appointments for lectures would not have been possible for me – especially while I was in the process of changing jobs. In short: the degree suited my needs and schedule perfectly, not the other way around.

With ambition, drive and commitment to success - IU (formerly known as IUBH)-Alumna Nienke Baas fulfilled her dream of working for a multinational company: Immediately after graduating, she joined Nestlé Professional as Junior Brand Manager, where she is responsible for brand management of the food service brands.

Determination and Passion led to success

Parallel to studying for my master’s degree at IU (formerly known as IUBH), I worked part-time as a student-worker in the marketing department of Foodora. I also worked as a brand manager and consultant for the Broderick's Brothers, a family-run cookie brand based in Dublin. I was part of the team responsible for the successful launch of the brand in the Dutch market. I continued to advise Broderick's on how to continue their success in the Netherlands. Additionally, I wrote my master's thesis for Broderick's: I investigated how the company could successfully establish its brand in the German market. I completed my master's degree summa cum laude and won the Best Academic Performance Award. What helped me to do all this? Firstly, I believe that you can achieve whatever you want if you make a firm commitment and are willing to dedicate yourself to it. Secondly, I have a true passion for marketing and brands.

First the IU (formerly known as IUBH) degree, then the dream job

Immediately after completing my master's degree at IU (formerly known as IUBH), I achieved my dream of joining a multinational company: I applied online for a vacancy at Nestlé and passed the multi-stage recruitment process. I now work as Junior Brand Manager for Nestlé Professional where I manage their food service brands, including CHEF, Maggi Professional, Garden Gourmet and Buitoni. My responsibilities include commercial marketing and brand communication. My focus is on online marketing, project and event management, activations, promotions and the development and implementation of brand campaigns.

Marketing and communication with an international focus

The international perspective that I developed during my studies at IU (formerly known as IUBH) helps me tremendously in my everyday professional life. During my master's degree programme I learned how international companies work strategically and how they operate locally. Every country, every market, every target group is different and requires a specific marketing and communication strategy. Studying at IU (formerly known as IUBH) provides an opportunity to develop the ability to work with people from different cultures - after all, students come from all over the world. In addition, the marketing curriculum in particular covers a wide range of subjects, but at the same time goes into depth and combines theory with practice. IU (formerly known as IUBH) also has excellent professors who really make the university as great as it is.
In general, my tip for career planning is this: try to find out what your true passion is and try to integrate it into your studies and career. Simply love what you do, so you can do what you love!

Riku Luostari, Chief Technology Officer, Nokia New Zealand 

Finland born Riku, moved to New Zealand 20 years ago to forward his successful career in telecommunications. Hungry to expand his horizons and keen to learn the latest in data science, Riku recently decided to take on a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence—but needed studies that suited his schedule. 

So, Riku, give us a short introduction to you and your career so far. 

I’m Riku, born in Finland but living in New Zealand for nearly 20 years now. I graduated with a B.Sc. Electrical Engineering in Finland 1997 and have worked in telecommunications since. Currently, I work as a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Nokia New Zealand—we employ about 200 engineers and technical salespeople here.   

What do you enjoy about your daily activities as a CTO? 

Part of my work involves statistical analysis of very large data sets. I also have access to interesting data and always enjoy working with it. I find data science is an interesting area of science where lots of things have not yet been discovered and development moves fast. That’s also why I chose to join the M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence programme which I am currently studying at IU (formerly known as IUBH). 

Why did you decide to study online with IU (formerly known as IUBH)? 

For many years I’ve had a dream of continuing my studies, but not many programmes allowed the flexibility required to carry on my busy work and family life (in my spare time I go running and weekends are often spent by taking my daughter and horses around to competitions). All other programmes I found either required physical attendance during the day or at least had fixed start/end times. I was very glad to find IU (formerly known as IUBH) and quickly abandoned the other options I had—without regret. 

What aspects or benefits of studying at IU (formerly known as IUBH) do you appreciate? 

Prior to joining IU (formerly known as IUBH), I had done courses around statistics and machine learning. However, even if many of those courses were great, I did not feel I really understood the big picture. I needed direction and help in finding the materials and books that are worth reading. The programme, tutors, and professors at IU (formerly known as IUBH) are really accessible and have provided me with exactly that. 

For the engineers working in the very leading edge of technologies, it is essential to keep up to date with developments. I am convinced this programme will help keep my knowledge current or even create a new trajectory for my career. 

Do you have a few words of advice for students taking a distance learning degree? 

I can see that online studies require self-discipline, interest, and willingness to work. Read the suggested books and don’t just go with the bear minimum.