The first time Merve used Mentimeter, she was sitting in a lecture hall at Chalmers. Her professor launched a live poll, it was interactive, anonymous, and surprisingly easy to join.
She had no idea at the time that the same tool would one day become central to her career.
“It’s not always easy to ask questions, especially in a class or even in a business meeting. You start wondering, ‘Am I sounding stupid? Does this even make sense?’ But then you see that someone else has asked the same question, or you get to ask something without the fear of being judged. I think that’s so powerful.”
After graduating from the master’s programme in Management and economics of innovation, she found her first job at Mentimeter. Now she works as a sales manager in customer success, leading a team that supports clients across the globe.
2019 was one of the happiest years of my life. I made some of my best friends at Chalmers
Crash course in real world-business
While studying at Chalmers, she joined Chalmers Teknologkonsulter (CTK), a student-run consultancy firm that gave her an intense crash course in real-world business and sales.
“We were responsible for the whole sales process from cold calling to delivering projects to clients. That was a key experience, and it helped me land my first role at Mentimeter,” she explains.
Her path at the company has grown over time. She started as a sales development representative having the first contact to potential clients, then moved into a customer success responsible for existing clients, and now manages a small team in the same area.
“I lead a team that works closely with our clients, from day one and onwards, to make sure they use Mentimeter in a way that supports them to achieve their business goals.”
A culture that clicked
There was something about the company that immediately felt right to her. Not just the product they were developing, but also the way they spoke about their company values.
“I saw a post on Linkedin from them that just resonated with me. They talked about inclusion, curiosity, work-life balance and having fun at work and it wasn’t just words. That culture is really lived here.”
She’s seen those values in action daily.
“One value we have is ‘Include everyone’. Since we are an international company, our working language is English. That is not always a given.”
Now, she’s trying to bring those values into her own management style.
“I want to lead with curiosity, just as our product Mentimeter helps leaders do. One of the favorite parts of my job is supporting my team’s growth. I love being part of that journey.”
Made friends for life
When asked about her favourite memories from Chalmers, Merve doesn’t hesitate.
“2019 was one of the happiest years of my life. I made some of my best friends at Chalmers.”
They still keep in touch, both online and offline.
“I travel with them, I visit them, and they come to see me here in Stockholm. One of them is getting married this summer and I am going to her wedding. To be honest, the connections I built at Chalmers are my favorite memory.”
Originally from Turkey, Merve first came to Sweden as an exchange student during her bachelor’s studies. That semester made a mark.
“Because of that experience, I wanted to come back to Sweden. I was looking for programmes and universities that fit in with my engineering background in Industrial engineering.”
She chose Chalmers partly because of the programme — but also because of the city.
“In the end, I chose Chalmers because the programme felt very practical and hands-on. The city is also the perfect size, not too big or too small, and there were so many opportunities for us students, both in class and outside.”
Stayed longer than expected
She hadn’t planned to stay in Sweden long-term, but five years later, she’s still working at the headquarters of Mentimeter in Stockholm.
“I didn’t expect that to happen, but I’m grateful. I really believe in the product we are building and the impact we are making together with my colleagues.
Looking ahead, Merve wants to continue growing in the role of leadership and perhaps work from one of Mentimeter’s international offices in Toronto or Sydney.
“There are so many opportunities. I just want to keep learning and stay curious.”
Find out more about the programme
Management and economics of innovation, MSc
In the modern economy, knowledge has a unique value of its own. Especially in technology, it underpins critical aspects of industrial innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth. Through a combination of advanced business management and engineering-related economics, this master’s programme will train you to analyse, understand and skilfully manage innovation processes in companies and other areas of society. At the intersection between technology, management and economics, the education will train you to skillfully analyse and manage the processes of innovation and renewal, focussing on how and why companies innovate, and the best way to transform innovation investment into real financial and social gains.