Interview with our alumna Hannah Walke

Hannah works at Alnatura in employee services and development.

Where am I & what do I do?
I’m Hannah and I work at Alnatura in employee services and development. In the Culture Experiences and Travel department, my area of responsibility is diverse. On the one hand, I am jointly responsible for internal and external art and cultural events. A range of different workshops, seminars and events is planned in order to bring art and culture closer to employees and to use the Alnatura Campus in Darmstadt as a place of experience for employees as well as external guests. That is why we plan and organize various workshops and events, some for the internal development of employees and some as a future offering for external visitors. This mainly involves planning and organization in our department, and sometimes also concept development and implementation, so it never gets boring.
The second part of my work is travel management at Alnatura. Here I support the implementation of a company-wide travel management system that is intended to simplify travel bookings and travel expense accounting in two online tools. I really enjoy the diversity of my tasks. It is wonderful to see when events, workshops and seminars bring joy to participants and when I can sometimes accompany them as well. The creative work and the connection to art and culture are the perfect balance for me to the process-oriented work in travel management, where project management and working with programs are the main focus. This allows me to combine a very wide range of tasks in my work and gives me a varied day-to-day routine.

How did I get here?
After graduating from high school, I spent a year abroad and worked at a Waldorf school. After that time, I knew that a “normal” business studies degree would not be the right fit for me. Soon after my return, I made the decision to apply for the dual business administration degree program at Alanus University. I was drawn to the combination of business, art and interdisciplinary thinking. Above all, however, the practical relevance was important to me, which is why I completed my degree in cooperation with the practical partner Alnatura.
I spent two of my practical phases in an Alnatura Super Natur Markt and four practical phases at the headquarters. I was largely able to choose for myself in which area and department I worked during the practical phases, which gave me a comprehensive insight into the working world. I had points of contact with natural cosmetics, purchasing, marketing, and human resources (called “employee services and development” at Alnatura). After my insight into the HR area, it quickly became clear to me that I could imagine my professional future there.
After my studies, however, I did not immediately know how I should continue, as there was no suitable position available at Alnatura after my graduation. So I initially started in employee services and development, actually on a temporary basis, in order to consider where I wanted to go in the long term. But when I got to know professional life and my new position, I wanted to keep it, because I found great joy in my tasks and was able to work in a fantastic team. My responsibilities convinced me, so I made the decision to stay at Alnatura in the long term. Although I had not gotten to know the Culture Experiences and Travel department during my practical phases, I am very happy that I ended up here, more or less by chance.

How did my time at Alanus University shape me?
The holistic view of economic contexts, the practical relevance and also the many art modules during my studies shaped me greatly. The six practical phases that I completed in two Alnatura stores and at the headquarters in Darmstadt were exactly the right thing for me in order to have a balance between theory and practice and to be able to apply what I had learned.
Through the holistic approach that is taught at Alanus and lived at Alnatura, my view of business was deeply shaped. My idea of how business should be conducted and which companies I want to support became more firmly established and was strongly influenced by my experiences during my studies. Through the art modules that were part of the degree program, I was able to develop personally above all. The artistic experiences are also beneficial for my current tasks at Alnatura. Through the art modules in my studies, I gained an understanding of how art influences personal development and working life, and I can therefore connect the planning and organization in my work with my prior knowledge.
I can benefit in the long term above all from reflection, which is given great importance at Alanus University. Through frequent reflection, not only is one’s own behavior questioned, but also connections in everyday (working) life, which helps me in many situations. Through the holistic approach, the artistic experiences and reflection in everyday life, I was shaped a great deal, and with me my current working day as well, which is why I like to look back on my time at Alanus University.