From Classroom to Career: Susanna’s Journey in Digital Marketing

We interviewed Susanna, a graduate of the Master’s in Digital Marketing at Harbour.Space University, who was hired after graduation by one of her professors and now works at her marketing agency in Barcelona.

In this conversation, she reflects on her experience during the programme, from the hands-on, industry-driven approach of the classes to the international environment that defined her studies. She also shares her perspective on moving from Brazil to Spain, and how this transition shaped both her personal and professional growth.

Finally, Susanna talks about how her education at Harbour.Space helped her step into the marketing industry and build a career that continues to evolve today.

I studied Digital Marketing, and honestly, I enjoyed the entire program. But I think what I enjoyed the most was the fact that the professors were very hands-on and were actively working in the industry at the time.

They were not only teaching theory. They were people working in amazing companies, in amazing roles, sharing knowledge that they were applying in their daily work. That made the classes feel very updated, practical, and connected to the real market.

I also really loved the fact that the group was very international. I had the opportunity to work with amazing people from all over the world, exchange knowledge, hear different perspectives, and learn from their experiences as well.

I loved living in Barcelona. Barcelona is amazing. I felt like I could do anything there. I felt free, like no one was judging me, and I could just be myself. That was something really special for me.

I didn’t feel such a big cultural shift in terms of people or lifestyle, because Barcelona has people from all over the world, so it feels very international.

For me, the biggest difference was more related to organization and infrastructure. Coming from Brazil, Barcelona felt very organized. The public transportation is really good, the city feels safer, cleaner, and easier to move around. That was very different from living in a developing country like Brazil.

After I graduated, Stephanie Schwab herself came to me and offered me a job at her agency. I had never worked as a marketing project manager before, but because I had taken her classes and they were very hands-on, based on practice and real projects, she saw that I had the potential to be a good project manager.

She made me the offer, and I’m still working at her agency today, after three years.

I still work as a project manager, but I also develop strategy for clients, so my role has grown a lot. It has been a really nice experience, especially because I work with amazing colleagues. The people at the agency are very special, and I’ve learned a lot from working with them.

I would say it changed the way I see digital marketing. I still use the knowledge I acquired during my master’s in the work I do today.

Of course, things have changed a lot, especially with AI. When I did my master’s, AI was just starting to become a thing. But I feel that the foundation I got at Harbour.Space still helps me a lot.

Everything I learned was very useful then, and it is still very useful in my daily work today. And I believe that, with the knowledge I acquired there, as long as I keep updating myself, I can stay ahead in the market.

I would tell them to really focus on what they are doing there and not underestimate the knowledge and the experience they can have.

Be 100% in. Dedicate yourself. Enjoy meeting people, learning from amazing industry leaders, and being surrounded by people from all over the world. See every situation as an opportunity to learn and grow, to be your better self.

I think sometimes, because you are “just studying,” you don’t realize how valuable that moment is. But you need to appreciate the opportunity you have to get a good education, to learn from the best, and to connect with amazing people.

So my advice would be: live in the moment, put in the hard work, do your best, and really value the opportunity.

Susanna’s journey highlights how a learning experience at Harbour.Space can extend far beyond the classroom, connecting education, people, and real-world opportunities.

Thank you, Susanna, for sharing your story with us, and for offering valuable insight into how curiosity, international exposure, and practical learning can shape a meaningful career in digital marketing.