Alumni Spotlight: Sabrina Pelz

Sabrina Pelz is Marketing Manager at the German-based start-up Mom Hunting, which strives to create an optimal match between qualified “career moms” and suitable companies. There, Sabrina is helping the business build its communications and brand development processes, ensuring that her clients’ skills are best aligned with prospective employers’ needs, while also assisting those companies in diversifying their managerial-level staff.

How has your learning been applicable in your current role?

What always comes to my mind when I’m working is the basic foundation that instructor Rich Keller mentioned in his first module. He communicated that you need to look at what you are offering, what your competition is offering, and what doesn’t work because it’s not your field. Find your “why” and work from that point. Don’t forget where you come from and where you want to go, because if you don’t know where you’re going, you may choose the wrong path. This is a daily learning experience and something I remember every day.

What motivated you to pursue this program?

When you’re working in marketing and communications, everything changes from day to day. I realized there was so much more to learn, and I wanted to discover what knowledge I lacked and what I could learn to do a better job in my work. I wanted to improve, learn more, and have more opportunities in case I were to apply to other jobs.

What was your biggest personal or professional gain from taking this program?

Knowing my worth was both my biggest professional and personal ROI. This experience highlighted that having confidence in my abilities to lead the company from a marketing and communications perspective, and then making sure to surround myself with individuals who could recognize this, was incredibly important to me. The program helped me to realize I wanted to work both for and with someone who values the fact that I am up-to-date in my field, that I am eager to learn more, and that I want to bring the company’s communication to the next level.

How were you able to use this program to reinvent yourself?

Reinventing myself means to discover a new me by taking risks and exploring new paths. I was recently able to do this when I began working with a new employer at a new company. Changing jobs was a direct result of what I gained from completing the program. During those 12 weeks, I learned not only about brand development and marketing communications, but also about myself and what I wanted and needed as an employee and person.

What does the term “lifelong learning” mean to you?

I believe lifelong learning needs to be a part of your life; there is so much value in learning. I learn from my kids and from the books I’m reading and writing. You can’t live without learning, and I think you can’t go through life without learning something new each day.

In looking back on your program experiences, what stands out to you?

Initially I was a bit terrified coming into the course because I’m not a native speaker and I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able follow the instructors. However, it was captivating to see how much they loved what they were doing; you could see it in their expressions and hear it in their voices. It made my whole experience and my overall learning so much easier than I had ever expected.

What advice would you give to fellow professionals or colleagues that might not have considered this type of program?

I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who is interested in reaching the next step of their career. I would suggest that they ask themselves important questions such as: Where and how do I want to work? How do I want to get better? What exactly do I want to learn? Then, when choosing a certificate program, I would suggest a trusted and prestigious institution such as Rutgers because this can be a door-opener on your resume when applying for jobs. You can only win by taking this course.