Relaunching my career in Berlin: need tips!

Hi Elpha community,

My family is moving to Berlin this summer for my husband's work, and I am contemplating what my career can look like there.

My background is in partnerships and BD, primarily in edtech in the Bay Area (Coursera, Khan Academy, start-ups). Laid off several months ago and doing freelance here and there.

I speak English, Russian and some Spanish, but unfortunately, not German.

There are a couple of paths I see atm and would love to discuss with folks:

- continue with work similar to what I have been doing in the Bay Area at a company that does not require German (apparently, this exists in Berlin), leverage the "Silicon Valley" brand, and maybe find an org that wants to expand to the US

- change towards internally facing roles to make knowledge of German less critical, I am currently working towards Google Project management certificate

- go back to school and learn something completely different, areas of interest: psychology, social work, art management, library studies. This will have to be in English

Any input would be greatly appreciated and if I can help others with anything I am happy to. My Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inessaroman/

Danke!

Iynna·Dec 17

How exciting, Inessa! Stoked for you. We do have some Elphas in Berlin including @evita @marialedentsova @alessandraberlin @dilaraneutze @varshalalwani @alliebeardsley1 @niharikaghosh @melissadeseguin @danougill @4ellen2 @ivashtembari @Unam @ashleysimcox @fannitihanyi @Verrome @SusannaB @joeunlee In case you want to connect and maybe meet up once you're there!Good luck with the move :)

inessaroman·Dec 18

very helpful. thanks so much!

KQ·Dec 17

I love how you're aiming for creative solutions. are you specifically not interested in learning German? if that's not true, then I think you're limiting your options here. and if so, how can you see from the space of both/and, rather than either/or?I also love thinking outside the box, if you want to have a quick jam sesh: https://kqunplugged.as.me/givefirst

inessaroman·Dec 18

hi certainly planning on learning German, in fact I have started already but it takes years (at least for me) to master a language as an adult:(

AntonellaS·Dec 18

I moved to Berlin from the US in the spring. There are several companies that don't require German. Check openings at Zalando, it is a very international setting where the main language is English. Also feel free to reach out for more tips

inessaroman·Dec 18

thanks for responding! can you recommend more companies that have english as their company language? i have definitely heard of zalando