A new job through a practical project

Isabella Gandler is studying part-time at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and is in her final year. She is enrolled in the part-time Bachelor's degree program of her choice: Sports, Culture & Event Management.

FROM THE INITIAL CONTACT TO A CAREER RESTART

The initial contact with Sparkasse Kufstein, Gandler's current employer, came about through the kubi Children's Literature Festival. kubi – Library for Science and Leisure is both the campus library and the former Kufstein public library. A lot of events are organized at kubi with great dedication, with the primary aim of introducing children to stories, books and fantasy. Student Isabella Gandler was responsible for the search and supervision of sponsors as well as marketing at the kubi Children's Literature Festival. As in all practical projects, specific assignments from companies and institutions are accepted so that students can measure themselves against real challenges. The project's search for sponsors became an interface between the students and the Kufstein savings bank – and also for the professional re-start of the working student.

PROJECT SUCCESS AND TRANSPARENT WORKING METHODS

In addition to the good design of the sponsorship packages and the marketing mix, the ongoing communication with the sponsors was also a special task for Isabella: “Since it was always important to me that Sparkasse, as one of the main sponsors, was always up to date, I sent interim project reports. It was important to the savings bank that the project be carried out professionally,“ says the student. ‘As a special feature for the main sponsor, the well-known ’happy saver', the symbol of the savings bank, was incorporated into the event – and the children were simply thrilled,” Gandler sums up.

“The project was a complete success – all stakeholders were satisfied. The schools, the library management, the University of Applied Sciences, the sponsors and, above all, the many children.” Due to the high number of visitors, a wide reach was also secured for the sponsors. ‘After the project ended, the savings bank was thrilled with how the event went and the report on the regional TV channel,’ says Isabella Gandler, who is pleased with the success.

NETWORKING FACTOR LEADS TO NEW JOB

Thanks to her contacts through her sponsorship of the Sparkasse Kufstein and a vacancy for a marketing and event manager that arose that same summer, the student was already well informed when she went to her first interview. “During the personal interview, I was able to find out about the requirements as well as the prospects. It was clear to me that this is exactly the kind of job I had always wanted and why I had started the degree program at the university of applied sciences,” reports Isabella. It certainly helped that the Sparkasse team was not dealing with an unknown person, but rather with an organized and transparent personality.

Today, Isabella Gandler is part of the marketing team at Sparkasse Kufstein: “I really enjoy my job. I am responsible for sports sponsorship and events. I am also helping to develop the topic of financial literacy. The profile is very varied and I can develop further,” the students are certain. 

THIS DEGREE PROGRAM IS SPECIAL

In particular, the areas of project management, marketing, and sports and event management are particularly helpful to Isabella in her new job, all core subjects that the degree program revolves around. “My studies gave me the opportunity to meet new people, make valuable professional contacts and personally grow beyond what I thought I was capable of, for which I am very grateful,” reports the student. Isabelle wholeheartedly agrees that the degree program should be recommended: ‘Yes, because I was able to gain important experience for my professional life and the mix of sports, culture and events is what makes this degree program special,’ says the event manager. 

DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE PRACTICAL PROJECT

To understand the scope of a practical project, it is important to look behind the project curtain. “Our marketing and communication plan for the kubi children's literature festival included the redesign of the logo, bookmarks, posters and all press releases before and after the event. We set up our own social media channel on Instagram & Facebook, filled it with content and also used the digital billboards in Kufstein as an advertising medium. Furthermore, we made extensive use of direct marketing in schools. In the sponsorship area, I was also responsible for acquiring some sponsors. Due to the size of the event, it was important to us to get a lot of sponsors, which we managed to do through teamwork,” says Isabella Gandler, summarizing her work.

Every year, students in the degree program at the University of Applied Sciences in Kufstein complete around 50 practical projects to test their knowledge and skills in real-life projects and challenges. The practical application of what has been learned and the trust placed in the students are a motivating model for success.