Laura graduated in 2020 with minors in Marketing and Psychology. She has over a decade of experience in marketing, and is now a Senior Marketing Manager at Cisbox, in Germany.
Laura worked at Arvato Systems while studying International Business
I started my career at Arvato Systems while studying IB. After working for Bertelsmann in Germany, I moved to their IT solutions-focused subsidiaries in NY. A year in, my manager told me, “I don’t think I should extend your contract unless you start pursuing your undergrad degree for your own good.” That push led me to start studying at CUNY, and looking back, I’m grateful.
Laura worked in different positions at Arvato Systems
I began as a Marketing and Sales Team Assistant. After a year, I transitioned into the marketing team as a Marketing Associate. In 2017, the company integrated closely with its German headquarters, shifting my responsibilities significantly. Over the past 10 years, my role has transformed significantly, allowing me to experience multiple facets of marketing.
Cisbox’s Business Model
cisbox is a leading SaaS Purchase-to-Pay solution platform built on a sovereign cloud, designed to manage the article lifecycle for industries such as hospitality, healthcare, services, multi-location businesses, franchises, associations, and purchasing cooperatives. Our advanced AI reduces tedious manual tasks like invoice bookings, streamlining procurement, accounting, and bookkeeping processes. By providing complete control over article data, cisbox helps customers achieve significant savings and operational efficiencies.
Laura’s Role at Cisbox
At cisbox, I’m one of two marketing specialists, currently functioning in a more senior role. We’re revamping almost everything—social media, campaigns, events—you name it! What makes this role particularly rewarding is the opportunity to bring in my own creativity and personal style, and it’s amazing to see how even small changes can have a positive impact.
Working in the U.S. vs in Germany
Working for a German company in New York meant a lot of my colleagues were also German. This brought a unique, German-influenced culture, especially after integrating with the headquarters. I particularly enjoyed the New York tech vibe: office happy hours, and a relaxed 9-5 approach, especially before the integration with the German headquarters.
Laura’s Advice to Students
If you want to work in the corporate world, I strongly encourage taking psychology classes. It helps you understand people, hierarchies, and managing emotions in the workplace.
Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself if things don’t go as planned. For example, if you want to work in marketing but can’t find a job, it’s okay! Many people don’t start in marketing; they often transition from other departments. Find a company you like, fit into their culture, and apply for roles that match your experience. Once you’re in, it’s often easier to transfer to your desired role later.