{"id":29592,"date":"2020-10-21T11:05:52","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T09:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/?p=29592"},"modified":"2022-01-27T13:18:08","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T11:18:08","slug":"sophia-ruscher-mediaplanet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/sophia-ruscher-mediaplanet\/","title":{"rendered":"Sophia R\u00fcscher, Managing Director at Mediaplanet, on Finding Success and Rapid Career Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EU alumna Sophia R\u00fcscher has been working at Mediaplanet <\/a>since 2016. In just two years, she rose from Senior Project Manager to her current position as Managing Director, Austria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophia is originally from the small, east-Austrian city of Bregenz. Having studied her Bachelor at EU Business School some years earlier, Sophia decided to take an MBA in Communication and Public Relations<\/a> at EU\u2019s Barcelona campus in 2014. Her career has also led her to live in London, Stockholm and Vienna, where she is currently based.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophia gave us an insight into what it is like to be a young woman in business and shared her advice for aspiring leaders.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What <\/strong>does <\/strong>your <\/strong>typical <\/strong>day at <\/strong>Mediaplanet<\/strong> look like?<\/strong> <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the media industry so there is never a typical day, especially in my position! As Mediaplanet is very much like a startup, my responsibilities reach from taking top-level decisions, down to ordering office supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three things that I would count as everyday business are lots of personal meetings with my staff and clients, observing what\u2019s happening in the world, and staying flexible so we are able to quickly react to the latest trends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does your creative process look like?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I like to examine a problem or project from as many angles as possible. First, I collect as much information from as many people involved as possible. Then I create different scenarios and play them through to find the best solution. I must admit, my best ideas have not come up during big meetings but rather in the shower or at night. That\u2019s why I always have a little notebook lying beside my bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You went from Senior Project Manager to Managing Director in just two years:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you rise so fast in the company?  <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say \u201cgood\u201d was, and is, never enough for me. I was always a very ambitious, hands-on person and I am most certainly my biggest critic. I rarely take things as they are. I always strive to optimize and I am willing to go the extra mile, even if it\u2019s uncomfortable or could lead to sacrifice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, I had amazing people who guided, supported and taught me along the way which made it possible for me to get that far.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you ever have difficulties being so young and in such a high position?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, being young and a woman in this position has brought me a few difficulties. I remember one situation when I first took over as Managing Director and a lady asked me: \u201cAren\u2019t you a little young to be a managing director?\u201d and I answered: \u201cYes, I might be young, but I am damn good at what I do.\u201d After almost three years in the position, I can say that I successfully convinced her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advice I would give others is that being underestimated is never a disadvantage but can actually work in your favor, as it provides you with many opportunities to prove yourself.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does being a woman in business mean to you?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sophia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Above all, I learned that you will always have to work a little harder. And for me, being a woman in business also means that I can help other woman grow and become the best versions of themselves. I am a big believer in female solidarity, which is still difficult to find in many businesses. So, what I am striving for is, if one day the young women in my office decide to leave Mediaplanet, they\u2019ve learned to support each other rather than tear each other down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life? <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I strongly believe in mentorship and apply it in my office too. I highly recommend that EU graduates seek a mentor who is willing to support and guide them through their career. Learning from someone else\u2019s experience and mistakes can be incredibly valuable in reaching a goal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophia is one of many talented EU alumni<\/a> who participate as mentors on the <\/em>Alumni Hub<\/em><\/a>. Sign up today and reach out to someone who can help guide you on your career path.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

W<\/strong>hat failure <\/strong>have you experienced at work that <\/strong>led to some <\/strong>important and useful<\/strong> lessons?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My biggest failure was with a company I previously worked for. I put a lot of energy, ambition and extra hours into getting ahead, and even took pay cuts, to get onto their management program. Afterwards, I was told that I would be too high a risk as I was of a certain age (mid-twenties) when the likelihood of my getting pregnant was far too high. Instead, they said I was welcome to continue in the low-paid trainee position.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was that day I decided to leave that employer behind and find a company that was not only willing to invest in me, but was also modern and inclusive. And look where I am now!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it might be painful to close doors, especially if the investment has been high. Nevertheless, choosing new directions when facing one-way streets can be rewarding and liberating.        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wh<\/strong>at do you think makes a great leader and wh<\/strong>at leadership principles <\/strong>do<\/strong> you follow?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I believe a great leader<\/a> is someone that puts their people and business before their own self-interest. Someone who is not only able to communicate thoughtfully, truthfully, consistently and with foresight, but knows every part of their business. A great leader is never above their employees but with them doing whatever task is needed to enable their team to reach success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some principles I follow are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n