From MBA to Senior Leadership at a Media Giant

This article was originally published on Business Because and written by Norma Maher on August 8, 2024.

From an MBA internship to Bertelsmann and Penguin Random House

With an English Literature degree under her belt, New Jersey native Pamela Taylor was on track to pursue an editorial career in publishing. Find out how she used her MBA in Germany to reach senior leadership.

Until a serendipitous move to Germany and a change of career led her to begin an MBA. Today, Pamela has reached senior leadership at the world-renowned media company Bertelsmann and its notorious subsidiary, Penguin Random House.

From the US to an MBA in Germany

Pamela began her career in a trade publishing role in Massachusetts when she realized that working with people was where she would thrive. However, the 2008 global financial crisis led to widespread job cuts, and Pamela decided to redirect her career.

When love brought Pamela to Munich, she decided to try her hand in an e-commerce company, until the company downsized.

“I just kept thinking, I keep getting laid off. I realized that in Germany—if you want to do business, you study business.”

Determined to establish a business career in Germany, Pamela sought a degree that would prepare her for success in the industry.

She aimed for a program that offered a solid foundation in business fundamentals and a strong professional network, leading her to pursue an MBA at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, the oldest business school in the country.

“I wanted to set up a foundation for my life in Germany, and a strong foundation for my life involves a strong foundation for my career, so I became very intent on studying a business degree in Germany,” she says.

Building a professional network at business school

To build a career in business, especially in a new country, a strong network is crucial. For Pamela, her MBA at HHL was key. “I wanted to study business and build a network—HHL was perfect for that,” Pamela says. At HHL, she found a close-knit community of students from over 55 countries and an active alumni network. The small, interactive classes and connections with students across programs were particularly valuable.

Pamela’s MBA network provided diverse perspectives that guided her career decisions and development. “The different perspectives helped me understand my strengths and where I want to contribute,” she says. The benefits of her business school network extend beyond graduation. HHL’s alumni association (HHLAA) connects more than 3,700 active alumni, professors, and faculty worldwide.

Pamela, now on the HHLAA board, continues to invest in this network.
“The alumni network is a great way to stay informed and connected, especially since I live in Germany,” she says. Pamela also emphasizes the value of learning the local language. Achieving C1-level proficiency in German before starting her MBA was integral to her professional success in Germany. “Learning German fluently has been critical,” Pamela concludes.

Landing an MBA internship

An MBA offers an array of opportunities, but it’s up to you to make the most of them. As an expat trying to establish herself in a new country, Pamela had to make strategic choices.

“I would have learned a lot on a semester abroad, but my goal was to get my foot in the door in a long-term career. An internship in Germany was going to help me achieve that, not leaving the country,” says Pamela.

Luckily, one internship shaped the trajectory of Pamela’s career. During Bertelsmann’s presentation at HHL, she recognized an opportunity. As a media company interested in international profiles, Pamela took the initiative to approach the company representative about an internship.

“I knew I wanted to get into strategic HR, so I reached out and indicated that I would love to do an internship in talent management. I was then offered a position at the corporate center as an intern,” she says.

Climbing the corporate ladder: from an internship to senior leadership

Much like getting accepted to an MBA, securing an internship is only the first step. Turning these opportunities into career-launching experiences requires strategy and hard work.

Pamela leveraged her internal networking experience at HHL to advance her career. During her internship, she was made aware that her team wasn’t looking to hire anyone, but intra-company networking landed Pamela a full-time position in a different team at Bertelsmann.

“I networked in the company, which resulted in me meeting somebody from the employer branding team who was looking to expand his team, and I was able to start full time after my internship,” she says.

Once Pamela secured her first full-time position in the company, her drive and enthusiasm propelled her rise to senior vice president of corporate Employer Branding at Bertelsmann and more recently, since January 2024, she’s expanded her focus to director of People Development and Transformation at Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe.

“I loved the projects that I was working on, and I was always hungry to try something new. One opportunity led to another, until I was offered the chance to lead the team. It’s really special to start as an intern and now be a leader in a renowned media company,” she concludes.