Tanja Coray, Corporate Communications Specialist, Basler & Hofmann

In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Tanja Coray, Corporate Communications Specialist at Basler & Hofmann in Zurich. USI Degree: Master in Corporate Communication, 2017.

How did you start your career?

I started working as Communications Officer for a new research initiative at ETH Zurich whilst finishing my master thesis.

Why did you choose a career in Basler & Hofmann?

After three years in academia, I wanted to get to know the private sector. The broad range of topics covered by Basler & Hofmann as an engineering company with 700 employees caught my interest.

What is your current role/duties?

As Corporate Communication Consultant I am responsible for the development of communications concepts, the production of content and the strategic distribution of content across all our channels.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in Basler & Hofmann?

You need to be an open-minded, self-motivated team-player who likes to be in exchange with others and is eager to push new ideas and innovation forward.

What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?

I think it is of great value that everyone gains some basic economic knowledge in the first semester. I personally strongly appreciated the mixture between theory and applied work.

What competences and/or skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

The ability to think strategically and the understanding for the complexities organisations are facing today. I appreciate the broad, strategic understanding of communications linked to topics such as organizational culture and development that is being taught at USI.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

If you’re unsecure where you should be heading: try to talk to more experienced people, even if you don’t know them so far. People are usually willing to share their own experience. LinkedIn is great for this!

Listen here to Tanja's video testimony.