Alumna Fiona Liddell: From Golf Greens to Global Controlling – Fiona’s Path from KLU to Beiersdorf HQ

Name: Fiona Liddell
Degree: MSc Management, Class of 2022
Position, Company: Junior Production Contoller, Beiersdorf

Best About My Degree Program:

Prior to my studies at KLU, I was in the US for my Bachelor’s degree and I was not sure what my next steps would be. I was looking for an opportunity to combine top-level sport with a Master degree program, and Hamburg was the perfect option. I also wanted to study in an international environment. At first, I considered doing a Master program in Supply Chain, but ultimately, the Master in International Management program at KLU was the best choice for me. The diverse curriculum helped me realize that Finance and Controlling are where my passions truly lie. That clarity was key for me. The program gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of business topics, helping me discover which subjects I enjoyed most and where my strengths lie, as well as the chance explore new areas such as Supply Chain.

I also appreciated that KLU gave me a rigorous academic environment where, at times, everything depended on one final exam. It was a big adjustment, but in hindsight, a valuable one. I think my golf background helped my focus and determination—golf taught me to accept the situation and focus on doing the best I can with what I have. That mindset helped me adapt to KLU’s exam-based system.

What’s Best About My Job:

Since graduating from KLU, my job satisfaction has been 100%. I started a traineeship at Beiersdorf, the Beyond Borders Trainee Program in Finance & Controlling. It gave me the opportunity to rotate through several departments every 4–5 months, gaining real-world experience and seeing how the theories we learned in class are applied in a large company. It was fascinating and a true extension of my education.

One of the highlights was spending five months in Vienna, where I was based at the hub for Beiersdorf's Eastern European business. It was not only a beautiful city, but also an incredible chance to work across diverse markets and cultures, which I had never been exposed to before.

Earlier than planned, I transitioned into my landing position: Junior Production Controller at Beiersdorf’s largest global production site in Hamburg. This was a full-circle moment for me—remember how I said I liked Supply Chain but didn’t know how to combine it with Finance? Now, I get to work right at that intersection, in a small team handling all aspects of production controlling. It’s an incredible learning experience. At some point, I could see myself returning to more commercial topics like sales or marketing controlling, but for now, I’m excited to fully understand this side of the business.

What KLU Means To Me:

KLU holds a very special place in my heart. I moved to Hamburg knowing only a few people—mainly fellow golfers. The city had always appealed to me, and it ended up being the perfect place to start this new chapter. I am grateful for my friend, who was studying at KLU, who recommended to study there, too.

The friendships I made at KLU are truly lifelong. Many of my closest friends in Hamburg are people I met during the program. It’s one of the top things I appreciate about KLU: the size. It’s big enough to meet people from many different backgrounds, but small enough to truly get to know them—even across different Master's programs. That closeness extended to the faculty as well. Professors knew us by name, and I felt genuinely supported, especially by Professor Himme, who supervised my Master’s thesis. He recognized my prior experience but still challenged and encouraged me to grow.

We also started our studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, so there were fewer activities and more restrictions. Despite that, the shared study experiences—especially during exam prep—became some of my best memories. Sitting in a room with friends, completely stressed but somehow still having fun, really brought us together.

Final Thoughts:

If there is one piece of advice I would give to students: Enjoy the ride. It goes by faster than you think, and in the moment, you may not realize how lucky you are to be surrounded by such amazing people. I know I didn’t fully grasp it then, but looking back now—I wouldn’t change a thing.

Whenever someone asks me about KLU, I can say with complete confidence: I had a wonderful time, met incredible people, and landed the job I wanted. I’d do it all over again if I could.