I really liked the unique combination of business, communications, culture, and languages. Overall, I enjoyed my time at SDI, especially the fact that all the courses were very ‘real-life’ oriented. As I am involved in international project setups basically 24/7, I would definitely say that the cultural awareness I gained at SDI has been the most valuable – in connection with the communications aspect. Learning languages was fun for me before SDI, but my time studying Chinese really was an additional eye-opener for me, seeing how languages really can open doors.
Max Radford, graduate of the Intercultural Communication and Moderation (MA) programme
Full Interview
Max's Success Story
- Why did you choose to study at International University SDI München?
I really liked the unique combination of business, communications, culture, and languages. - What was your overall SDI experience like and what did you learn?
Overall, I enjoyed my time at SDI, especially the fact that all the courses were very “real-life” oriented and that many of the professors/lecturers also had jobs outside of university – something which allowed them to bring in valuable practical views. - What was your favourite subject and why?
Chinese: because it was the main reason I chose my BA/MA program. - Were you involved in any extracurricular activities (student council [Fachschaft], organisations, sports, etc.)? If so, which ones?
N/A
- How has your career evolved since graduation?
During my MA program, I was a working student at Siemens, helping with the organization of delegation visits to the HQ in Munich. After graduating from SDI, I was fortunate enough to land a full-time job in project management in the Global Business Services unit. During my first four years, I gained experience in various in-house projects and was also able to obtain a CAPM and Scrum Master certificate. Also during this time, I moderated a few minor team meetings, which is where I realized how much I enjoyed moderating. At one point, I was given the opportunity to moderate two management meetings of my business unit. Soon, more moderation opportunities came up with other business units. In early 2024, I transferred to the Communication Services team in order to focus more on moderation activities. Major events are the Hannover Fair and SPS Fair (Nuremberg), where I co-host the Siemens Stage Program. Other moderation jobs include conferences, offsites, and larger team meetings – basically anything that requires a moderator. In addition to moderation, my other tasks are focused on communications projects within Siemens. - What skills or knowledge from your education have been most valuable in your career?
As I am involved in international project setups basically 24/7, I would definitely say that the cultural awareness I gained at SDI has been the most valuable – in connection with the communications aspect. - Have you encountered any challenges or obstacles in your career? If so, how did you overcome them?
Compared to other university programs (such as the classic “Business Administration”), I definitely did not have as much business knowledge as some of my colleagues at work. But I quickly noticed that most of what I was doing was “learning-on-the-job”. And that has been a big learning for me. The consequence is that I do lots of research on many things in order to have the necessary information. Talking to more senior colleagues in our organization is even more important, as they are able to filter the information and pass on the most relevant chunks.
- What piece of advice would you give to current students or recent graduates looking to start their careers?
Definitely try to get a part-time student job in a relevant field as early as possible. Time at university can fly by, and the sooner you have worked out your opportunities post-graduation, the better.
- How has your experience at International University SDI München shaped who you are today?
I would say that I am more aware of my background and upbringing (English father, Austrian mother, spent approx. 10 years in the UK, 10 years in Austria, and 10 years in Germany) and the value it can bring to me and my peers. Learning languages was fun for me before SDI, but my time studying Chinese really was an additional eye-opener for me, seeing how languages really can open doors. - What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5–10 years in your career or personal life?
I hope to establish myself as a professional moderator at Siemens, expand the range of events I host, and also move in the direction of coaching and training others. - How do you stay connected with the SDI München community or fellow alumni?
Either through WhatsApp or LinkedIn.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work (hobbies, volunteer work, personal interests)?
Motorcycle riding, mountain biking, football, tennis, volleyball, and travelling. - Are there any causes or organizations you're passionate about that you would like to share?
N/A
- Share something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
I was three minutes away from becoming a Bayern Munich fan. For whatever reason (I was only five years old!), I was up watching the 1999 Champions League final with my dad. After 90 minutes, Bayern Munich were winning 1-0. In the three minutes that were added on at the end, Manchester United scored twice. I have been a “Red Devil” ever since.
Would you also like to share your personal highlights of your time as a student as well as your further professional career with us?
Then simply fill out the Alumni Questionnaire to tell us about your milestones, challenges and successes! We greatly appreciate the opportunity to inspire future students and highlight their potential by providing insights into your varied careers.
We would like to thank you for your participation and commitment - our current students and alumni are already looking forward to learning about your unique stories and career paths!
