Student talk | Lisa-Marie Rehmann

A part-time student reports...

Congratulations on your new position as Project Coordinator Strategy and Special Projects at Daimler AG.

What will be your new tasks?

Thank you! Together with my colleagues, I am now responsible for the coordination of strategic projects that enable us to stay competitive in the future. Therefore, we break down the visions we have of the future into strategies and targets. My main task is to define the targets and to identify, bring onboard and coordinate the necessary people to reach these targets.

 When and why did you decide for this way?

At the beginning of the year I was looking for a new challenge and looked around the internal job exchange. About this position I particularly liked the opportunity to make a contribution to shaping the future of our company. The automotive industry is changing a lot at the moment and in my team we are a bit ahead of the usual activities and are looking for new ways. This is incredibly exciting.

How did your studies help you with your new position?

We find ourselves in a field of tension between the known and the unknown, this applies to technologies, markets, competitors and much more. The MME TIME course helps me to understand the complex interrelationships, to assess the difficulties involved in such a volatile environment and to place the objectives of our activities in this context.

But it also helps me organizationally. In my studies, too, it is crucial for success to motivate people, to work together for one goal and to bring together the different professional backgrounds.

Are you able to apply what you have learned?

As mentioned above, many areas of my studies find application in my daily work. Especially the understanding of how organizations work, which difficulties can occur therein and which different ways of maintaining competitiveness beyond classical product innovation exist, are essential for me. Sure, there are some courses I can’t apply in my daily work, but because of the modularity and the flexibility to choose from a broad set of courses, I was able to draw value from all of my courses.

 What do you like the most about the MME TIME program?

Basically, it is the modularity mentioned above. To be able to adapt the studies to one’s own needs and interests was a main criterion of my choice. A second point is interdisciplinarity. As an engineer, I know my field, but with increasing digitalization and globalization, the boundaries between the individual fields become blurred. I think it’s great that the MME TIME prepares me well to be able to discuss issues beyond my specialist area and to create understanding.

 What has been your greatest challenge?

 The biggest challenge is definitely to get my full-time job and studies under one roof. It would be a lie to say that this is a piece of cake. Especially, because of the fact that we do a lot of group work, which due to the international cohort usually goes beyond country and also time borders, one has to be able to organize oneself very well. In case of doubt, however, one will always be supported and up to now there has always been a solution.

 What should future students know about the MME TIME program? / What is your advice to those interested in the MME TIME program?

I consider the MME TIME program to be one of the most future-oriented studies that we currently have to offer in Germany. The diverse set of skills that are learned throughout the course enables you to broaden your view over the edge of the plate and to make you understand drivers and game changers in your professional environment.

I can fully recommend the studies and above that, the MME TIME staff, that is always there to support or answer any questions. Don’t hesitate to contact them, if you are also interested in this program!