I’m Cecilia de Cabo Jiménez and I studied the Bachelor in Communication and Digital Media. I think the program is the best combination of creativity and business out there. I would consider myself an “out of the box” thinker, and this program pushed my creativity and problem-solving skills to new heights.
Could you tell us about your current work at Celonis?
I joined Celonis in Munich right after my internship with the IE University marketing department. I have been working now for three months as part of the design and video team. I help to create content for different platforms, specifically for their social media accounts and webpage. Some of my responsibilities include scheduling video and photography shoots and tracking our projects’ progress, keeping clear communication between the team, clients and freelancers, as well as preparing creative briefs, brainstorming sessions and giving presentations before every creative project.
How did your experience at IE University prepare you for your professional career?
IE University showed me both the soft and hard skills I needed for my professional career; from knowing how to do a basic SWOT or benchmark analysis to working within an international fast-paced environment. IE University also focuses on teamwork, which is essential in every company.
My time at IE University showed me how to best communicate with people with different personalities and backgrounds and how to best solve conflicts within a team. It also taught me that embracing diversity and listening to others is the key to a successful team.
Do you have any advice for IE University students and alumni who are looking to pursue a career in marketing?
I have worked mainly in marketing so far in my career and at Celonis I focus on video production and project management as part of the video and design team.
The advice I would give to other students is to be curious. If you are working within a design and video team in production and project management, you need to step out. Do not only stick to your tasks; go beyond what is asked of you. It is important in a creative environment to think out of the box and have great ideas, but ideas are not everything. There is a lot more to it; from strategy to execution to knowing how to use a camera. So my advice would be to always look at the whole picture and not only focus on one little thing. There is always a lot to learn in creative environments, so always try to learn as much as possible.
What skills are needed to succeed in your field?
Active listening, teamwork, and clear and respectful communication are always the top skills needed in creative teams.
Tell us about the IE University alumni community and the impact they have had on your life and/or career.
IE University has one of the greatest sense of community I have ever seen. The friendships I made during my four years of the Bachelor of Communication and Digital Media will last a lifetime. IE University was probably the best four years of my life.
Anywhere you go you will find someone who studied at IE University. Even now in Munich, I have met many people from IE University thanks to the alumni group chats. We have a large IE Alumni Community who try to gather once a month either for after-work drinks or to organize talks on really interesting topics.
If someone were considering going to IE University, what would you tell them?
I would tell them to rethink their campus options. Even-though Segovia can seem as a very small town, it is full of life. The friendships you will make in Segovia will last a lifetime. It is a great place to get to know people from other bachelor programs too and to be surrounded by amazing landscapes.