INTERVIEW WITH SARAH SCHUMACHER
How was your overall experience of studying at the HdM in Germany?
The most unique aspect of the PMT program is the people: the international network of fellow students, the passionate mentors and professors, and the supportive environment that truly encourages you to grow. It’s a hands-on program, and looking back, I would say that most of my classmates had a strong entrepreneurial mindset. Something that inspired and motivated me deeply. What I valued most were the collaborations between the university and the print industry. Although the pandemic made this more challenging at the start of my studies, the program team worked incredibly hard to make it as interactive and practice-oriented as possible.
What were your highlights and most memorable experiences?
During my PMT journey, I achieved several milestones, including winning the INTERGRAF Young Talent Award 2025, completing my bachelor’s thesis with Tetra Pak, studying abroad in Mexico, receiving the German Print and Media Award 2023 as part of the “Student Group of the Year,” earning a Canon Scholarship, and contributing to an award-winning campaign for Mademoiselle YéYé.
Beyond academics, PMT helped me build lasting relationships within the university and the print industry while supporting me in balancing my studies with my athletic career, culminating in becoming a World Champion in minigolf. During this time, I also founded my own business as a keynote speaker, helping organizations apply success principles from sports to business, and offering corporate minigolf team events.
What were your most important takeaways?
The most valuable skills I gained through PMT include an open and curious mindset, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively in international teams. I also developed strong initiative and entrepreneurial thinking, learned how to turn ideas into tangible projects, and strengthened my problem-solving skills through creativity and collaboration.
Do you have any advice for current and future students?
You will struggle at times, and you will make mistakes — and that’s okay. It’s not a weakness; it’s part of the learning process. Talk about your challenges — with fellow students, professors, supervisors, or even the free psychological counselling service by the “Studierendenwerk”. It will help you overcome them faster and grow — both academically and personally.
What did you do after you finished your Bachelor’s degree?
After the PMT program, I recently graduated from the one-year Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Lund University, Sweden, and co-founded a Minigolf E-Commerce Business. It might not be the most traditional path — but I believe we don’t study to follow one fixed route, we study to develop the skills that help us create our own path, and simultaneously, this path always leads me back to the print industry in one way or another.