We contacted Lucia Loposova, cohort 2010-2012, and found her in Myanmar. Somehow we managed to have a phone Skype call with her about EMTM and what happened after. Lucia Loposova is an EMTM graduate from the very first Erasmus Mundus cohort. During EMTM, Lucia co-created the emtmmaster.net webpage, managed the EMTM social media, initiated the EMTM logo project and engaged in many more projects. Today she remains active within Erasmus Mundus as Regional Chapter Coordinator in the Eramsus Mundus Association (EMA) Steering Committee. After graduating in 2012 Lucia continued building on her communication skills and is now professionally active in marketing and advertising, product development and branding. She started off working in event management in Singapore, and received later a job offer in Myanmar. Interviewer: Lucia, can you please describe your present function and responsibilities?
Lucia: I work for the Hintha business centres, which are part of Anthem Asia, a private investment company. Basically, the Hintha business centres provide office space for rent to new businesses. You could see it as a hotel for businesses that gives the flexibility and comfort that these companies need to test the market in Myanmar. It is a package that gives businesses the opportunity to operate from the first day. I’m the Sales and Marketing Manager of the business centre. I take care of all marketing campaigns, social media, public relations and online advertising. I’m also responsible for direct sales, by taking care of pricing proposals, viewings with clients and contract negotiation. Furthermore, I’m active in product development (new packages, services, locations), and research new market opportunities. Lastly, I work on our new business strategy to create a chain of business centres and I look for strategic partners. Interviewer: Was it difficult to find a job after graduation? Lucia: First, I was working as an entrepreneur in Slovakia, but I always had the idea of working on an international career. Through AIESEC I found an opportunity in Singapore. It was not easy and it took a lot of time, and I even thought about staying in Slovakia, but in the end I landed the job! Interviewer: What were the three most important things that EMTM has given you for your career development? Lucia: Two of these are a bit more generic. First of all, adaptability to new environments, as in EMTM you switch every six months to a different country. Now, I find my way around easily and I can cope with different circumstances because I’m prepared for the situations. Second, flexibility: as every University and country has a different system, such as requirements and way of working. During our studies we were all freaking out about this, but now I’m used to it. I now know it’s part of the process. Thirdly, the courses in Girona, which were more entrepreneurial, helped me to develop my skills for my present responsibilities. For example, the class on Innovation helped me find tools that I still encounter in my daily responsibilities. I keep on saying, that the things I learned in Girona I still apply in my present job function. Interviewer: Do you incorporate values that EMTM teaches, such as sustainability, responsibility in your job functions? Lucia: It really depends on your area of business. Sometimes you are not able to promote these, as it also depends on your role in the organization. In Singapore, the company did not allow for it... However, my present company embraces sustainability in its core values. I have set in my agenda to set a CSR agenda. So, I’m pushing for responsibility on different levels. Interviewer: Would you enrol again in the EMTM programme, in relation to career development, and why or why not? Lucia: Yes, I definitely would. What is important in Erasmus Mundus courses, is that they prepare you for an international career, no matter what kind of job you chose after graduating. You get in touch for two years with so many countries and cultures. That is the biggest value of EMTM. Interviewer: Did you ever benefit from the EMTM network for your career? Does the EMTM network (or ‘family’ as we call it) really help? Lucia: First of all, after graduating, thanks to my involvement with EMA I was able to establish a network that provided me with short term marketing jobs. I think the Eramsus Mundus network (EMA) is much bigger and more helpful for jobs. Thanks to EMA I was able to connect to many people in Singapore, not only for career purposes, but also on the personal level. You are alone on a different side of the planet, but EMA is able to connect you with people. However, EMTM is still too young as a programme to help you with networking... Nobody has a huge career behind, but in the end I see it definitely evolving like EMA. Interviewer: Are there things that could improve in the programme? Lucia: There are always things to improve. I was the first Erasmus Mundus cohort, so we had many things to improve, but the EMTM consortium took always our suggestions seriously, and I can already see the changes in next generations. The programme has shifted due to the many suggestions. The destination in Denmark was replaced from Esbjerg to Kolding; furthermore, professors and nature of courses have changed. I really appreciate that they are really open and listen to students. Of course, the problem is that changes cannot easily be made within the same generation. Interviewer: Describe the most memorable moment that happened in the programme. Lucia: It was the moment that I had the feeling ‘EMTM is a family around the world’. It was the evening before graduation in Girona. Without previous planning, other people of EMTM with their family appeared in front of the doorstep of our apartment. We were famous for the dinners in our flat, so everyone knew it very well. But suddenly they appeared with their aunts, mothers and fathers. It was a nice feeling to see them together with their family and were so excited to introduce each other. Interviewer: Any advice for students looking for a job? Lucia: Three words. Determination: You don’t immediately land the dream job. Risk: don’t take comfortable jobs for easy money. Know your value: this will bring you high in your career. Interviewer: Thank you very much Lucia! Your input is very useful for all of us! Comments are closed.
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June 2017
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