Gütersloh, 09/14/2016

Bertelsmann Launches Trainee Program for Humanities Scholars

Humanities scholars and social scientists can't run a business? Bertelsmann proves that this prejudice is unjustified. A glance at the management floors of the divisions reveals that many of our employees have an academic background in the humanities – for example Julia Jäkel, CEO of Gruner + Jahr, and Territory CEO Soheil Dastyari. Vox Managing Director Bernd Reichart, Verlagsgruppe Random House Managing Director Ulrich Genzler and Fred Casimir, Executive Vice President International Repertoire at BMG, all have a humanities or social sciences degree.

To boost its desirability as an employer for humanities and social sciences graduates, Bertelsmann has initiated a trainee program specifically for humanities and social science scholars. Unique in Germany, the "Creative Management Program" is aimed at graduates in the humanities, social sciences, politics, media, language or communications sciences, sociology, and journalism. The program starts on April 1, 2017 and is composed of a wide range of content designed to prepare the graduates for a management career at Bertelsmann.

During the 20-month program, the potential young managers are put in charge of individual projects at Bertelsmann's German subsidiaries. Rotating placements at Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Verlagsgruppe Random House, Gruner + Jahr, BMG and other Bertelsmann divisions give them multifaceted insights into the Group's businesses and industries. At the same time, the participants acquire economic and entrepreneurial skills in accompanying seminars.

"Numerous career opportunities"

Immanuel Hermreck, CHRO of Bertelsmann, said: "Working for Bertelsmann has never been as exciting as it is today. There are numerous career opportunities for humanities and social science scholars at our company. Our new program is designed to prepare them even better for taking on traditional management positions. Many humanities scholars are excellent communicators and very creative – important skills for potential managers. At Bertelsmann, we believe that management teams that are mixed with regard to gender, age and background always achieve the best results. Accordingly, we are strengthening the diversity of our future management with the 'Creative Management Program.'"

Besides having completed a degree in the humanities or social sciences, interested parties should also have some practical business experience. Applications for the trainee program are now being accepted online or by email until Nov 13, 2016. Nico Rose, Senior Director Corporate Management Development, Send email , is the contact. For more information: www.creativemanagementprogram.de  .