MD at FC Bayern München speak to Sixth Form

Year 12 students were delighted to welcome Dee Kundra to their assembly this week. Dee spoke with the students about her route from college to her current position - Marketing and Communications Managing Director of Bayern Munich for the Americas.

Charters Sixth Form is keen to show its students that career paths are rarely linear, and that hard work and determination are as important as good exam results. Dee's story underlined the fact that tenacity also plays a major part in being successful.

After being given incorrect careers advice as a college student, Dee was unsuccessful in securing a place at the London College of Fashion as she did not have the required qualifications. Instead of giving up on her dream, she contacted the course director and badgered him until he agreed to take her as a student on a part-time course; and when a place became available on the full-time course, she took advantage of the offer. Dee undertook work experience throughout her undergraduate course, and came to realise that it was an industry she absolutely hated! 

So with a degree under her belt, she looked for a change of direction, and after watching an awards show on television began looking for work experience in the PR sector. Her proactive approach led to roles at the BRITS, the MOBO Awards and Party in the Park before she secured a permanent position in media and PR with The Prince's Trust. Over her five years working for the charity, Dee worked on sport, music, fashion and media initiatives and travelled to New York during a three month sabbatical where she fell in love with the city.

Dee's role at The Princes Trust brought her to the attention of many organisations, and connections made through her work with the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association led to a job offer from Liverpool FC when the Prince's Trust scaled back their large-scale events. Actively working to build a network of friends and associates within the industry was something that opened more doors for Dee, and ultimately led her back to New York when she was approached to become Director of Marketing and Communications for football team New York Cosmos. 

After nearly two years in her new role, the organisation ceased all operations and Dee returned to the UK. It was at this time that Bayern Munich approached her and after flying out to Germany to meet the board, she was appointed Head of Communications for the Americas and is now Managing Director of FC Bayern Munich - Americas.

It was incredibly inspiring for the students to hear about Dee's successful and varied career and she rounded off her talk with four valuable pieces of advice:

1. Don't underestimate the support of your family and undertake as much work experience as you can. Those connections matter and it's useful to see which roles you like and also which ones you hate!

2. Surround yourself with positive people. Good people that support each other mean that you always have a champion and this positive mind-set allows you to thrive.

3. Build yourself a network. Dee has been invited to apply for her last three jobs as a result of her reputation and the people she knows.

4. Hustle. Never think that a job is too small and don't think that starting at the bottom and making cups of tea won't lead to something.

With this advice, we can't wait to see what the future holds for our Year 12 students!