Vanessa Fehlig is about to start her Master's thesis at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. She has already completed her Bachelor's degree in Bernburg and tells us in this interview why she decided to do a Master's in Business Administration and Corporate Management and what experiences she has had at the university during her studies.
You decided to study for a Master's degree in Business Administration / Company Management in Bernburg - how did that come about?
I had already completed my Bachelor's degree in Business Studies at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and was therefore able to get to know the university. It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to do a Master's degree straight away. I was particularly interested in the modules on corporate management and human resources in my Bachelor's degree, so I wanted to do a Master's in this area. In addition, I was very satisfied with my Bachelor's degree at the university and wanted to stay here. After a lab and a look at the module description handbook, I decided on the Business Administration / Company Management master's degree program and have not regretted it.
Who do you think this degree program is right for?
Basically, you should be interested in Business Studies and not be afraid of numbers. Especially if you want to work in management, controlling or finance later on, this Master's degree will help you prepare for this. It's also good if you have an open personality and enjoy interacting with others, as group work and practical projects are a big part of the course. If this is the case, the degree program could be a good fit for you.
What has impressed you about the degree program so far?
I was most impressed by the versatility of the course. In addition to traditional exams, many group projects are part of the individual modules. I found this particularly positive because I was able to develop a wide range of skills, such as creating and giving presentations, away from "traditional" learning and in discussions. I also found the cooperation with partners from Economics particularly exciting, because it gave me the chance to combine the theoretical foundations with practical examples. In addition, I found the commitment of the Degree Program Advisor, Professor Cornelia Scott, particularly good, she always had an open ear and took a lot of time for the students' concerns. Her own opinions and problems were valued and taken seriously. This should be a matter of course, but unfortunately it often isn't, which is why I personally noticed that this was always the case with her.
Did you have any worries that turned out to be unfounded in hindsight?
I didn't have any major worries, as I already knew the university and many of the professors. Of course, I was still a little nervous about what exactly to expect and whether I would be able to cope with the demands of the Master's program. I am now about to write my Master's thesis and can say that the degree program was exactly the right choice for me.
What advice would you give to young founders who are setting up their own business after their studies?
My advice would be to plan well (especially the financing), but not too much, otherwise you can quickly miss an opportunity - and of course to get support. Even during your studies, you can get in touch with the Anhalt University Center for Entrepreneurship, FOUND IT! There you can get advice on the entire start-up process. We are also very lucky to have some experts "on board". For example, Pascal Döring, an external lecturer and MBU graduate, who founded a very successful international start-up after completing his studies and acts as a mentor. Furthermore, the head of the course, Professor Scott, is also nationally and internationally networked and organizes regular Manager Talk meetings. In my opinion, it makes sense to take advantage of such offers - especially if they already exist directly at the university - as this can only be useful.
Vanessa, thank you very much for the interview.
