Daniela Eder had already managed her first projects during her dual study programme, and she soon moved up the career ladder at Telekom. But then she decided to return to the seminar room. She also changed her career at that time: She moved from a management position to a team position, albeit with global relevance. She wanted to gain a better understanding of the complex market situation. This brought her back to the lecture theatre. Ten years after this second degree programme at ISM Campus Cologne, she looks back: What were Daniela Eder's milestones?
A decade ago, Daniela Eder decided to continue her studies on a part-time Master's programme after completing a dual study programme. The ISM had just opened a new campus in Cologne's Mediapark - Daniela Eder was one of the first students to start the programme. She was working in the field of IT product management and wanted to expand her practical knowledge to include the academic aspect - specifically: ‘I wanted to develop a broader understanding of market design.’
Getting to know management levers better
As an alumna with practical experience, she was offered the opportunity to teach at ISM from the third semester onwards. However, she turned down the tempting offer: ‘That would have been too much at the time, alongside a full-time job and studying on Saturdays.’ She had previously risen quickly to management positions. Then she paused and moved back into a position in the team. A step backwards? She doesn't see it that way, but emphasises that it was a conscious decision: ‘I wanted to broaden my strategic view of corporate management and employee development within the Group.’
Managing work and study times
From the part-time degree programme, the strategic tools in management have remained particularly important to her to this day, and she says: ‘Overall, the quality of the teaching was higher than in the first degree programme. During my stay abroad, which ISM organised, I was able to expand my network in Dublin and was also given new perspectives on the specialist topics.’
How to combine the additional work that the part-time degree course entailed with a career was an important question: ‘Of course, this meant planning for additional peak study times and recognising how you have to manage your own capacities.’ She still takes this learning to heart today, with a working week that often exceeds 50 hours. She recognises the value of taking a longer break, for example via a sabbatical: ‘I know my resources and know when I need to replenish them.’
A decade later
Ten years have passed since she graduated from ISM Campus Cologne. A look back: ‘Back then, the campus was much smaller, we started with a third of the size - on the lower floor, there was basically only the part to the right. During my time as a student at ISM, the campus then grew by the left half.’ The area on the 4th floor was added later.
The opportunity to teach arose again. Shortly after graduating, Daniela Eder was soon back in the lecture theatre alongside her job - for the first time as a lecturer. ‘Sometimes the students were even older than me,’ smiles the thirty-something. ‘However, I deliberately only teach students on dual and part-time degree programmes. With them, I can see that the quality and motivation remain high. I can also identify better with this target group.’ The individual needs and expectations of the new study groups guide her in her work as a lecturer: ‘I try to use different methodological approaches and variety, but also clear communication, to ensure that the content sticks.’ In return, she also expects students to achieve high quality in their examinations.
Paying attention to team spirit
She is impressed by how well her students are now methodically familiar with internet tools and web instruments and how quick they are with the applications. ‘I also see artificial intelligence as a good support for them, but I would advise them to always check the AI results.’
Although Daniela Eder herself is a fan of hybrid offices, she enjoys working on site at the company a lot. However, she is ambivalent about this development for the so-called Generation Z: ‘In view of the widespread hybrid way of working, very young professionals hardly have the chance to develop a team spirit and, according to studies, are more willing to change jobs.’ Eder therefore recommends providing strong support to young colleagues in their professional lives so that they are well supported and also feel more emotionally connected to a company.