Gütersloh, 03/20/2018

Bertelsmann’s Trainee Program for Humanities Graduates Enters Its Second Round

Starting today, humanities and social sciences graduates can once again apply for the “Creative Management Program.” Bertelsmann had introduced the program last year  to offer students another way to start a management career with the Group. This year, the program has been expanded to include a posting in a European country outside Germany. Applications will be accepted until May 13.

Bertelsmann's trainee program for humanities graduates, the only one of its kind in Germany to date, is entering a new round. Starting today, humanities and social sciences graduates can once again apply for the “Creative Management Program.” Bertelsmann had introduced the program last year to offer students another way to start a management career in the Group.

“Humanities and social science graduates have many qualifications that are very valuable in management roles – creativity and communications skills, for instance,” says Immanuel Hermreck, Chief HR Officer at Bertelsmann. “Our 'Creative Management Program,' makes us the first company in Germany to set up a training program specially tailored to this target group, and more than 700 students applied for it last year. The great success of the first year confirms our feeling that we have really struck a chord here. We will therefore continue the program in 2018 and add an international component.”

For those who want to work creatively and entrepreneurially, Hermreck added, Bertelsmann is the ideal employer. Humanities and social science graduates will find numerous career opportunities in the Group, he said

‘Diversity of Mindsets and Backgrounds Is a Model for the Future’

Both Immanuel Hermreck, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources, and representatives from the corporate divisions were very impressed with the commitment of the participants from the first run of the "Creative Management Program". “In the past few months, our first trainees in this program have impressed us with their creative ideas, their drive, and their individual perspective on business processes,” says Immanuel Hermreck.

"The music industry ticks differently than most industries in the economy, it has always given career changers a chance. A pure business degree is of limited use in quickly gaining a foothold,” says BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch, talking about his experiences with the program. “Employees with a degree in the humanities are out-of-the-box thinkers. That provides a valuable basis for healthy interaction within our teams. They can quickly pick up business administration skills. The participant who is currently with us comes from a journalism background, and is highly motivated to bring herself up to date in new fields. We love the program, this diversity of mindsets and backgrounds is a model for the future."

Vox Managing Director Bernd Reichart also takes a positive view of a participant’s dedication: “Besides program planning, creative program work and press relations and her work in production management, she’s been diligently helping to put together my presentation for the Bertelsmann Supervisory Board in the past few days – fantastic!

Four Postings in 20 Months

The 20-month program of rotating placements at Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Verlagsgruppe Random House, Gruner + Jahr, BMG and other Bertelsmann divisions gives participants multifaceted insights into the Group's businesses and industries. At the same time, the participants acquire economic and entrepreneurial skills in accompanying seminars. While to date the focus of the placements has been on Germany, the program is now being extended by a placement in another European country. This will give trainees an opportunity to get to know Bertelsmann's international businesses and expand their own network internationally.

Applications Open Until May

The Bertelsmann “Creative Management Program” is specifically aimed at graduates of Master’s programs in the humanities, social sciences, politics, media, language or communication sciences, sociology or journalistic studies. Besides having completed a degree in the humanities or social sciences, applicants should also have a strong interest in business and some relevant practical business experience. The three-stage application process for the second round of the trainee program, consisting of online application, online test, and selection day, starts now. Applications will be accepted until May 13, 2018. The program starts in mid-October 2018.