Marketing students visit East Africa Breweries for a mentorship session
By Maureen A. Kangu
On February 19, nine marketing students accompanied by their professor, Dr. Maureen Kangu, had the opportunity to visit the East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) microbrewery and later had a mentorship session led by the Marketing Department and championed by the Spirited Women (A team of amazing women working at EABL).
The students were taken through the process of innovation and new product development at the microbrewery where they were privileged to preview new products that were yet to be launched into the market. They were able to see the raw products that are used in production, the sustainability measures that EABL is taking with the farmers of the raw materials and the corporate social responsibility of training brewers of local brews on safe brewing practices.
The head of marketing opened the mentorship session and informed the students on what makes a good marketer. He emphasized on three things: creativity and good judgement, passion and unending desire to keep working. The students were also taken through the various careers in the marketing profession such as brand managers, consumer planners, innovation managers, media planners and creatives. The EABL Marketing Department staff gladly took them through what day in their lives entails.
The HR Manager also graced the mentorship session and led the discussion on internship and graduate trainee opportunities available and mentored the students on how to prepare for the job market. Thereafter, the students sat in groups and were able to mingle with the EABL staff. The students were also taken through responsible consumption of EABL products and one of the young members of staff corrected the perception that EABL sells alcohol – they sell celebration of life and emphasized on responsible celebrations.
