Career choice: What are they doing today?
Ramona Stieger: «I always had several jobs at the same time»
I've been with SRF for almost 15 years. Even when I was studying to become a primary school teacher at university, I worked in television on the side. As a video technician, I make sure that what the cameramen film reaches the viewers in good quality.
I always had several jobs at the same time. At first, I was an examiner at the vocational school. Later, I taught video technology there. I also worked in a newly created electronics and digital workshop at the University of Teacher Education. Finally, I found a Master's degree programme that combined my three interests of education, communication science and computer science: Media and Computer Science Didactics. Unfortunately, I fell ill before I could start my Master's thesis.
What I start, I see through.
I interrupted my studies and I no longer teach at a vocational school. My health is much better today. I'm following through with what I've started. I'll write my Master's thesis when I find the time. But first comes the baby break. Then I'll look further.
Jérémy Donath: «I always have a plan B and C»
While I was at secondary school, my brother was battling leukaemia. I organised a Charité event for children with leukaemia as my A-level project. That's when I discovered my love for organising events. After a language exchange in Toronto, I did an internship at an event agency. Because I was interested in international relations, I began studying political science in Zurich and completed an exchange year in Copenhagen. There was an exciting programme on maritime security policy.
Back in Zurich, I wrote my Bachelor's thesis and decided to do an embassy internship. I thought I had better chances with a Master's degree. I found the right degree programme in Tel Aviv. From there, I organised a tennis tournament in Switzerland with colleagues. The small project turned into an international ATP Challenger tournament with a budget in the millions. After two events, I had to make a decision: Event organisation or diplomacy. I chose the latter and went to Copenhagen as an embassy trainee.
If I hadn't passed the statistics exam at the University of Zurich, I would never have ended up in Copenhagen.
Some time later, I got a job as Economic Officer and Project Manager at the Swiss Embassy in London. Funnily enough, I also do event management for the Swiss representation.
In a few years' time, I want to apply for the Concours diplomatique - the Swiss diplomatic training programme. You need to be lucky for that, because there are only a few training places. If I hadn't passed the statistics exam at the University of Zurich, I would never have ended up in Copenhagen, I wouldn't have done an embassy internship and I wouldn't be in London today. But I always had a plan B and C.
Marlen Frick: «Sometimes I miss the teamwork»
As a farmer's daughter, I could have imagined a career as a farmer. But the job is really tough for a woman. So I became a meat specialist. After my apprenticeship, I worked in the profession and realised another dream: I spent two summers on an alp with my best friend.
Another passion is photography. I've always loved taking photos. Then someone gave me a photography course as a present. I took on my first assignments, photographing couples, families, friends, sometimes even christenings and weddings. I did this for three years alongside my work in the butcher's shop and in the Alpine farm. Then it became too much for me. Since last year, I've only been working as a photographer.
If I were 15 again, I would learn this profession again.
As a meat specialist, food photography would be an obvious choice for me. But my passion is working with people. However, photography only makes up ten per cent of my work. The rest of the time I sit at the computer and edit pictures. I like doing that too, but sometimes I miss the teamwork in the butcher's shop. I can well imagine working as a butcher again. If I were 15 again, I would learn this profession again.
