Anna Negri, Global Burton Guide Strategist, Burton Snowboards

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 Anna Negri, Global Burton Guide (Customer Service) Strategist in Burton Snowboards in Innsbruck (A). USI Degree: Master in Marketing, 2018.

How did you start your career?

Straight after graduation, I started to work at Burton Snowboard, in its European Headquarter, in Innsbruck, Austria in the B2C Customer Service.
Initially, they offered me a seasonal contract, only for 6 months, but I had the opportunity to stay longer and got a small promotion as team lead after 1 year. Even though, I studied marketing and my goal was to work in marketing and events for winter sports, I took the chance to have a full-time job and start learning by doing. Burton gave me a lot of opportunities and possibilities to grow: after 1 year and a half in customer service, my manager at that time got a promotion as ecommerce manager and HR gave me the opportunity to become the european customer service manager.

Why did you choose a career in Burton Snowboards?

Snowboarding and mountains have been my biggest passions since I was a kid, so during my Master I was looking for job opportunities in the alps and in companies connected to winter sports mainly. My hope was to find a job in marketing or events, but finding a real job and not an intership after graduation is not as easy as I thought. I was submitting application for also internship and Burton Snowboards called me back saying that unfortunately the spot for the intership in digital marketing was already filled, but they had an opening in customer service. To be honest, I was not super excited about the role itself, but I gave Burton a chance and moved to Austria: the best decision I have ever made!

What is your current role/duties?

Since this summer, I am the Global Burton Guide Strategist for Burton Snowboards. I report to the Global Vice President of Consumer Direct and work closely with the Digital commerce (DTC) team to create a new strategy for the consumer service globally, define KPIs and reporting and provide a holistic customer experience, listening to the Voice of consumers and employees. I work together with the Global Training Specialist to make sure everybody in the company has the right tools to work and communicate with final customers and consumers.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in Burton Snowboards?

Do not be scared to ask and fail, everybody makes mistakes but if we do not try and take on challenges, we will never know what could happen.

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

Working groups and hands-on assignments have been very important and gave good perspective on the different topics.

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

Structure and team work are for sure two key ones.

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

Do not look for the dream job, start from somewhere and do not be scared if the job you get at first is not what you wanted to be, you need to start from somewhere and if you show, you are open and willing to learn, you will achieve your goals, no matter what.