Caroline Sturm, CEO, Digital Hub Cologne

To help current students and recent graduates navigate the world of work, several USI Alumni shared their career paths and career story. Here the story of Caroline Sturm, CEO at Digital Hub Cologne in Cologne (D). USI Degree: Master in International Tourism, 2013.

How did you start your career?

My career started actually at USI at the IRE Istituto delle Ricerche Economiche, where I worked around two years after my master´s degree. Following that I went back to Germany and settled first in a digital consulting company from Deutsche Telekom, and shortly after that in a Startup within the planning and construction industry. Here, we developed software for automation and AI that supports the design stage of architectural planning in the very early phases. We also took care of the entire value chain after that, meaning that we even build a concrete prefab fabrication factory, where we produced walls and ceilings offside and then organized logistics to the construction side, finally becoming CEO of a software and consulting company in this field. Last but not least my current position is a small step back from construction and a big step towards sustainability.

Why did you choose a career at Digital Hub Cologne?

Digitalization is the most effective way to enhance productivity and be more sustainable. That is our mission statement in the Digital Hub Cologne, where I took the role of CEO in July 2023. We have a focus on SMEs mostly in the Real Estate sector, because the possible impact to be created in this field are huge. Real Estate accounts for up to 40% of Global GHG Emissions. There is no time to waste, it was not a choice for me, it was a calling to be in this position.

What is your current role/duties?

As CEO I am responsible for daily operations, staff satisfaction, liquidity and development of new products and services.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career at Digital Hub Cologne?

My current job requires a lot of creativity and patience, but also a strong mindset to not give up and be a role model. When it is time for action, it is up to me to take action. A little bit like when your newborn baby needs to get its milk, there is just no option to relax and wait.

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

I still use my studies at USI as a resource of know-how, methodology and network in my life.i.e. because the quality of professors was so high standard and with real life experience. It also meant a lot for me that professors and peers valued my opinion and treated me with respect and companionship.

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

Skills I learned are definitely networking (legendary casa castalia parties!), micro, macro and sustainability analysis. Also the field project gave a good taste of real life consulting projects, so that was good training. In addition, I appreciated the digital classes, where we got hands on training on websites and so on. I might not need to create websites today, but it helped me a lot to know the value and negotiate with marketing agencies nowadays.

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

Network! Contact me anytime at LinkedIn under the following name: Caroline (Charly) Sturm. I am so curious about all the ideas coming from the next generation of USI students.