Alumna

Devika Soman

Portrait Devika Soman

Devika Soman

"My advice to foreign students is that if you plan to work and live in Germany, please learn the language as soon as you get in, so by the time you are done with your course, you speak fluent German. It will open many more doors for you. Other than that, have fun. Spend time with your friends as much as you can and explore and do different things, because, once you start working, you are always pressed for time."

Where do you work now, and what is your job title?

Haensel AMS. Business Development and Marketing

What are your main duties in this role?

I am responsible for biz dev for the company and I also, manage the marketing activities.

Why did you choose this role, and what motivates you?

The fact that it is a company of the new age as it focuses on Data Analytics, AI and Machine Learning. Also, at the same time it is a boutique firm and that allows me to learn so much. Aside from that I am getting to do both biz dev and marketing. It is a very exciting role in a very competitive, dynamic industry. The future is going to be very interesting.

Did you imagine you would be doing this kind of work before you started your degree?

Yes. Absolutely. I wanted to break into the technology sector.

To what extent did the university, the university’s partners or the university staff prepare you for the work you do today?

The projects we undertook, the professors and classmates definitely shaped my approach and my knowledge for the work I am doing today.

What kind of contact did you have with your fellow students? What do you expect from these contacts in the future?

When we were in University we were definitely more in touch and hung out more often. However, the group gets smaller when you finish the course as some people go back to their home countries or one just gets busy with work. I got this job opportunity as one of my classmates referred me here. I hope to continue to collaborate, support and have fun with the friends I have made.

When you think back to your degree, what are your fondest memories? What did you like in particular, and what were you less enthusiastic about?

It is so hard to pick one, because it was indeed the best time ever. I loved everything about being in University; the lectures, the projects, classmates, keeping deadlines for project/paper submissions, cramming before exams, collaborating and brain storming with my classmates, chilling after classes. The group was so diverse so you learn so much about other cultures and also because of different interests one gets to add to the repertoire of knowledge.

What do you understand by “change and transformation”?

Change is the only thing that is constant. We have to adapt and transform to keep up with the world. Constantly upgrading skills, taking risks with new disciplines. Accepting failure along the way, and learning and growing from it also contributes to transformation.

In your opinion, how important is it to be “open to change” in order to survive in the modern, digitally-driven working world of today and tomorrow?

Very. You snooze, you lose. Even if you are in the art or social impact world, the world today connects and moves forward with technology. We have to constantly adapt and change.

Do you have a goal in terms of where you would like to be in 10 years’ time?

Absolutely. But, one never knows. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be studying or living in Germany. And, here I am.