School's out – but what's next? After graduating from school, many students are faced with the big question of what to do next. At the DOUGLAS Group, we foster the talents of tomorrow by offering various career paths.
In addition to traditional apprenticeships, such as retail specialist or visual merchandise designer, Europe's leading beauty retailer offers high school graduates an exciting career path: a dual study program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Those who want to gain practical experience and deepen their academic knowledge will find a wide range of opportunities here. In this interview, 19-year-old Luna Mila Ney, who has been part of the DOUGLAS Group for two years, shares insights into her everyday life between the company's headquarters and university.
Why did you decide to pursue a dual study program at the DOUGLAS Group after graduating from high school?
LUNA MILA NEY: One thing was clear to me even when I was in high school: I wanted to work. At the same time, I knew that a degree is often the ticket to a successful career these days. So "either/or" was not an option for me — I wanted both. To me, the dual study program is not a compromise, but rather the ideal way to combine my interests by diving straight into the working environment while simultaneously building up theoretical knowledge. I chose DOUGLAS mainly because of my personal interest in the beauty industry, and I knew DOUGLAS and its stores since I was in school.
How is the dual study program structured, and what opportunities will you have after completing your bachelor's degree?
LUNA MILA NEY: The program lasts three years. During the first two years, you will work in various mandatory departments, such as human resources (HR), marketing, purchasing, and finance. During the third year, you can specialize in an area that interests you. Our week consists of three days of work at the company and two days at the university. During months without lectures, we work full-time in our assigned department. The goal of the program is to be hired as a permanent employee after graduation. The company considers each individual's interests and strengths to determine the best position and area for them.
In which areas have you worked so far?
LUNA MILA NEY: At the beginning of my studies, I worked in marketing for the Douglas Collection, where I gained exciting insights into our own brand. I then moved on to category management before switching to HR and our Learning & Development team. A deployment in a store allowed me to experience the other side of the business and observe day-to-day operations. Back at headquarters, I worked on the social media team, dealt with ESG reporting, and explored e-commerce. This variety and the many perspectives make the experience valuable to me.
Is there a special experience or unique project from that time you would like to tell us about?
LUNA MILA NEY: The first thing that comes to mind is planning the onboarding month for the new dual students and trainees who started a year after I did. I had the opportunity to organize the entire four-week program, which included a trip to Frankfurt, a project week, and a scavenger hunt through the DOUGLAS stores in Düsseldorf. I really enjoyed the project, especially because I could relate to how overwhelming a new start can be. This project showed me that my ideas matter and that I am trusted to take on responsibility.
What advice would you give to new students who want to start a dual study program at the DOUGLAS Group?
LUNA MILA NEY: If you start a dual study program at DOUGLAS, you can look forward to gaining many impressive insights into the worlds of study and work. However, it is important to be aware of the parallel commitments. But what I can tell all young talents is: We are not here because we already know everything; we are here to learn. Be curious, ask questions, take advantage of opportunities, and build your network. Be open to different ways of working, different personalities, and different perspectives. Personally, I think the best part is getting to know a variety of people over time. Contacts are a valuable resource, and you gain many of them during a dual study program. But most importantly: have fun!
