Tomás works as a Performance Marketing Manager for a start-up in Stockholm
Tomás Albrecht graduated from the master’s programme in Interactive Media Technology in 2019. After graduation, he got a job at the start-up company Funnel, a company that builds platforms that helps marketers automate their data collection.
Hi Tomás, what are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently working at a company called Funnel. It's a relatively small start-up, but growing a lot (we have almost doubled in size since I joined!). Funnel is a data core. That is, we integrate with hundreds of data platforms to provide business users (often people in marketing and business intelligence teams) with a unified view of their data. I work as a Performance Marketing Manager, which involves planning, developing, and monitoring marketing campaigns to generate leads for our sales team.
What can a regular day look like at your job?
A big part of my role is related to performance: how can we generate more leads at a better price. So a regular day consists of monitoring our marketing channels, analysing performance, designing tests, and implementing new campaigns. However, given that we are a small marketing team, just three people, this can change a lot. Some days I can design stickers, plan events, or create presentations and videos. We multitask a lot.
Have you worked with anything else since you graduated?
No. I worked in a similar role part-time while at KTH, but the same week as I presented my thesis, I was contacted by Funnel and have been working there since.
Why did you choose this programme at KTH?
Back in 2016, I decided that I wanted to move abroad and have a career change. I knew I wanted to go more into technology and computer science, but also make use of my past experience (marketing, business, and advertising). The interactive media technology programme offered me this nice mix. I was able to take courses both in Design Fiction, Visualisation, Telepresence, and more. The KTH brand was definitely a plus, given I could be sure about education quality and diploma acceptance.
Are there any insights or knowledge you acquired during the studies that have been extra useful for you in your career?
I can't pinpoint any specific knowledge but a mindset. At my programme, I had people that were really good at specific themes, like programming, sound engineering, or design, while I always thought of myself more of a generalist. That said, I got used to collaborating with people to make the best use of their abilities while adapting to be able to offer what the group was lacking, meaning I had to learn a lot of different things.
What were the best aspects of your studies at KTH?
Studying at KTH was a really mind-opening experience. I was able to join projects and had opportunities that would never happen if I had stayed in Brazil. For example, I was part of the Engineers Without Borders in a project that built wind turbines in Tanzania. I had a school project accepted in a Symposium in Berlin. I was part of the Student Nobel NightCap. I met people from all around the world, and just by chatting or hanging out, we could exchange worldviews. This open environment, I would say, is the best aspect of KTH.
What are your plans for the future?
Moving to Sweden was a great move. Better than I ever expected. Now I plan to stay here, get an apartment, and slowly root myself in this fantastic country.
What would you want to say to a student thinking of applying for this programme?
Don't plan that much. I know it sounds weird, but I believe that the programme is also about experimenting with different things. So I would recommend people be open to trying different classes, even if the subject is not your specialty. Also, I would tell people to get close to their colleagues. Being abroad is not always easy, and having people around you that you trust will make all the difference.