Elif Begüm Bulunmaz
Where do you work at the moment and since when?
I currently work at Blinkist GmbH, a German company based in Berlin, where I started in June 2025. I've been with the company for three months now.
What is your educational background, what are you currently studying ?
I completed my bachelor's degree in Sociology at Boğaziçi University in Turkey. Currently, I'm pursuing a master's degree in European Studies - Sociology at Freie Universität Berlin.
Which of the skills or the knowledge you gain(ed) in your studies are helpful for your job in marketing?
While I don't work in sociology, the skills I've developed through my education are highly transferable to marketing. Sociology has taught me to analyze complex situations, identify patterns, and understand behavioral differences. These analytical skills are particularly valuable in marketing, where understanding demographics and group behavior is crucial. The methodological and systematic thinking approach that sociology provides has proven invaluable in my current role, helping me approach marketing challenges with a structured, research-based, data-oriented mindset.
Sociology has taught me to analyze complex situations, identify patterns, and understand behavioral differences. These analytical skills are particularly valuable in marketing, where understanding demographics and group behavior is crucial
What is your motivation for your studies and for your work?
My motivation for studying sociology was primarily intellectual curiosity. I wanted to better understand the world around us and develop a broader worldview. I pursued it more for personal fulfillment rather than with specific career plans in sociology. My interest in marketing, however, stems from the dynamic and engaging nature of the field. Marketing is constantly evolving, requiring quick adaptation and offering opportunities to test different approaches and strategies. This variety and the need for creative problem-solving make the work both interesting and professionally rewarding.
How did you come to your position at Blinkist and what do you think was crucial for you to get the job?
I was relatively fortunate in my job search. Having worked in marketing for a small startup in Turkey during the four-year gap between my bachelor's and master's degrees gave me practical experience that facilitated finding a student position in Germany. Blinkist was particularly appealing because of its international environment and English as the working language, which addressed my main concern about language barriers in the German job market. My genuine enthusiasm for both the company's mission and the business model were evident during the interview process, which I believe was a key factor in securing the position.
Having worked in marketing for a small startup in Turkey during the four-year gap between my bachelor's and master's degrees gave me practical experience that facilitated finding a student position in Germany.
What do you like about your job?
I particularly appreciate working with an international team of intelligent and supportive experts. Additionally, I'm working in a marketing area that's new to me, which provides continuous learning opportunities. The fact that I can discover something new and expand my skill set every day makes the role both challenging and fulfilling.
What kind of challenges do you face at work?
One of the inherent challenges in marketing is the difficulty in predicting outcomes with certainty. This requires constant testing, competitive analysis, adaptation, and continuous improvement. The field presents an endless array of possibilities and approaches, which, while exciting, can also be demanding as it requires staying agile and responsive to market changes.
What is the composition of your team, and which language(s) do you primarily work in?
Our team is highly international, with colleagues from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and other regions. English is our primary working language.
What are your plans for the time after graduation? Are you planning to stay in your professional field or are you looking for some change?
I plan to continue building my career in marketing after graduation.
The most crucial qualities are genuine interest in the field, strong analytical thinking skills, and intellectual curiosity. These foundational traits often matter more than specific technical knowledge, which can be developed over time.
What are in your opinion the most important degrees, competences and interests someone should have to work in marketing?
While degrees in marketing, business administration, or industrial engineering certainly provide a strong foundation and familiarity with essential tools and frameworks, I've learned that the field is accessible to people from diverse educational backgrounds. The learning curve for marketing isn't prohibitively steep. The most crucial qualities are genuine interest in the field, strong analytical thinking skills, and intellectual curiosity. These foundational traits often matter more than specific technical knowledge, which can be developed over time.
What tips would you give other international students regarding job search in Germany?
Learning German is important and significantly expands your opportunities, even though I was fortunate to find an English-speaking position. However, limited German shouldn't discourage you entirely, as international opportunities do exist. The key qualities for a successful job-search are persistence, maintaining a positive attitude, taking initiative, and remaining open to unexpected opportunities. As students, we're not expected to have extensive experience or expert-level proficiency. Instead, employers value genuine interest, willingness to learn, and eagerness to contribute. These qualities, combined with a proactive approach to applications and networking, can open doors even in a competitive job market.
Thank you very much for the exciting insights into your work in marketing!
The written interview was conducted in September 2025.
