Martina Wirth, Communication Specialist, Federal Office of Justice

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 Martina Wirth, Communication Specialist for Federal Office of Justice of the Federal Administration in Bern (CH). USI Degree: Bachelor in Communication Sciences, 2016.

How did you start your career?

After finishing my Master degree in Public Management & Policy at the university of Bern, I applied to the job which was published on the job career website of the Federal Administration. What for sure helped me to get this job is that I already did an internship in the Federal Administration after completing my Bachelor.

Why did you choose a career in the Federal Office of Justice?

I am highly interested in the interplay between communication, politics and public interest. That's why I was looking for a job in the public sector.

What is your current role/duties?

I am responsible for eveythings that is related to communication in a informatics project at the Federal Office of Justice. I am part of an agile project where we develop the new system for the Swiss criminal records. In addition I supervise a mediamatics apprentice who is also part of our project team.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in the Federal Administration?

It is important to be able to work independently and bring in your own ideas. In addition, languages are a key factor as well.

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

The interdisciplinarity of the Bachelor program in Communications at USI gave me an insight in all the areas where communication is important. Additionally doing my studies in a foreign language helped me a lot to improve my language skills.

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

The Bachelor in Communications offered me a 360 degree view on all the areas (public and private) where communication is important. That broad and interdisciplinary view helped me to find my areas of interest. Additionally the international composition of students at USI is expremly unique in Switzerland and learned me a lot about other cultures.

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

Define your main areas and/or companies of interest. Ask former colleagues and superiors about how they'd define you and what they liked about you when working with you. See all the job interviews as an experience where you can learn about yourself, even when you won't get the job. Don't give up even if it is hard to find a job!