With her enthusiasm and open nature, Sydney Kloppenburg enriched HSBA for three years. She studied International Management together with our partner company HELM AG. From the very beginning, Sydney was also involved in the HSBA Executive Committee, working on behalf of her fellow students and the university. As a panel participant, she discussed the future of dual studies at the anniversary celebration and at the annual reception of the Friends and Sponsors of HSBA. We spoke with Sydney about her studies, her daily challenges and her personal highlights during her time at university.
International Management: From Hamburg to the (Business) World
Dear Sydney, first of all, congratulations on your graduation and your new position! Immediately after your graduation ceremony, you started working as Product Manager Ethanolamines at your partner company (HELM AG). Can you briefly tell us what your responsibilities are? What exactly does that mean?
Thank you very much, that's very kind! Yes, my new position involves managing the ethanolamine product group. This includes purchasing and sales, tank management and market research. Basically, it's a commercial job where we have to be in constant communication with every department at Helm to keep day-to-day business running as smoothly as possible. I find it very interesting to observe the market and calculate supply and demand accordingly – very similar to microeconomics (one of my favourite subjects).
Why did you decide to study International Management rather than Business Administration?
Three things were always clear to me: I wanted to study management, do a dual degree and study in English. That's why the International Management programme was a perfect fit for me. I was already interested in the English language before I started my studies, but now I have to admit that my English has improved considerably. By that I don't necessarily mean colloquial ‘small talk English’, but rather ‘business English’. Since Helm is an international company, we work with teams, suppliers and customers all over the world. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to study in English, as it has given me even more confidence to communicate (linguistically) in a business context.
How has the international focus of your studies helped you in your work environment?
There are, of course, some international modules that are only offered in the International Management programme. These include, for example, International Trade & Regional Studies, International Management 1 & 2, and International Group Accounting. In terms of my current job and my prospects at Helm, International Trade & Regional Studies has been very beneficial. The topics ranged from Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) to various trade agreements. We also talked a lot about risk – an issue that cannot be avoided in trade. I notice this every day at Helm. I always found it interesting to buy in a different currency than the one I was selling in, to observe the fluctuations in exchange rates and to minimise the risk through hedging.
Did your studies prepare you well for your current job? Are there any particular modules or projects that you would highlight?
I would say it definitely did. Depending on the industry and profession you end up working in, the different modules have varying degrees of relevance. For example, Accounting and Principles of Finance provided a good foundation for financial topics. However, as I mentioned before, I would say that I liked Microeconomics and the international module International Trade & Regional Studies the most, and that they prepared me best for my current job.
Despite the demanding coursework and practical phases, you were always very committed and invested a lot of time during your time at HSBA: you were Head of the Executive Committee, participated in various panels... Where does this motivation come from?
Yes, that's true. I think it's just in my nature. I love getting involved, being able to support others and participating in events. I tried to do that wherever possible at HSBA, and I enjoyed it immensely every time. But it also had a certain personal added value: you become more confident and meet new people. And if I've learned one thing, it's that making contacts and networking are very important. So here's a little tip from me: be brave, go to events and talk to people.
Is there anything you particularly like to look back on?
The HSBA spirit, of course – how could it be otherwise? For me, that includes Arielle (the traditional HSBA student trip organised by the student representatives, editor's note), but also every single end-of-semester party. It's so nice to see that, in addition to studying, the students have built a community where they can feel comfortable, exchange ideas and celebrate. Ultimately, that's what you often like to remember: being together and having fun during your studies. And that's definitely guaranteed at HSBA!