“One internship, four insights and plenty of new things learned.”

Alissia Haldemann, University Intern

What do you tell your friends about your work at the university?
That it’s incredibly diverse. I have had the opportunity to work in four different areas – ranging from media work and online marketing to event planning, including the “Nacht der Forschung” (Night of Science). I have conducted interviews, written journalistic texts and prepared social media content. I also learned a great deal when working in the Alumni UniBE team, such as devising and implementing new concepts. No two days have ever been the same.

How did you get your internship?
I studied media and communications at the University of Fribourg. I did not want to jump into further studies immediately after my bachelor’s degree, preferring to gain some practical experience first. Communication is a very broad field, and this internship has allowed me to gain insight into not just one but several different areas. It has been the perfect way to find out where my true strengths lie. 

How have experienced the work culture at the University of Bern so far?
As very appreciative and supportive. I was warmly welcomed everywhere and immediately felt at ease in every team. We work together professionally, but there is also room for personal conversations – during our shared coffee breaks or over a beer after work. If someone feels stressed, someone else will step in immediately. I really value this mutual support. 

Which of the University of Bern’s values resonates most with you?
It has to be diversity. I’ve had the chance to work with many different people, including with researchers for the university’s “uniFOKUS” magazine. It’s exciting to see the level of pride and passion people bring to their work here.  

What key things have you learned during your internship?
I’ve learned so much! I was thrown in the deep end on my very first day – with good support of course. It was my first office job, and I learned from scratch how meetings are run, how to manage schedules and structure projects. It’s about being stretched to grow while being fully supported.

What advice would you give future interns?
Stay open and inquisitive. In the beginning, it wasn’t always easy to know what suits me best – but as I progressed in my internship it became clearer to me: You should be willing to dive into anything and have the confidence to tackle tasks even when you think “I can’t do this.” Oftentimes you can, and that’s when the real leaning happens.