The journey begins with your first move
As promised, Philipp Marquardt, a former International Business student and now Director of Global Finance (P2P) at Kärcher Global Services in Schwaikheim returned to campus on 15 September 2025 to inspire the new students of the English-taught bachelor programs for the winter semester 2025/2026. His visit took place as part of VIA Impulses, a signature event series where first semester students are introduced to successful alumni at the start of each term. Philipp Marquardt shared insights from his international career while emphasizing the importance of making the first move to actively shape one’s own journey.

A student journey that opened global doors and minds 
With a strong interest in business studies and a passion for languages, Philipp Marquardt chose to study International Business at Pforzheim University from 2002 to 2006. The program not only provided him with business knowledge and social dynamics in an international environment but also allowed him to develop language skills as he wished. During his studies, he spent his fifth semester at the partner university Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. He recalled how working in an international environment taught him to approach group projects with greater dynamism and flexibility. This openness to differences later proved valuable in his career. 
In addition, Philipp Marquardt participated in a hands-on project in Shanghai, working in self-formed groups on how automotive companies can start a business in China. The challenges of the project showed him the importance of cultural intelligence in business. He explained that these experiences helped him develop a global mindset, teamwork skills in an international environment, and communication abilities. “The international perspective I gained has helped me a lot in the years after in my career” he shared with the students.

Every move counts – with trial & error
Philipp Marquardt highlighted the advantages of Business School Pforzheim’s strong network with partner companies, noting how it helped students explore future opportunities: “Strong network with partner companies that Pforzheim University has is pretty good and helps a lot to find a good start” he shared with the students. 
During his first semester, he completed an internship in product management at Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG (now operating as Alfred Kärcher SE), where he gained insights into medium-sized companies and learned what makes “Made-in-Germany” quality unique. It was here that Philipp Marquardt realized that product management was not the right fit for him. This trial & error moment taught him that choosing the “wrong” path is not failure, but an important step towards finding the right one. He stressed resilience as a key attitude: “It’s okay not to get it right the first time. Each experience gives you clarity for your next move.”
Later, towards the end of his studies, Philipp Marquardt discovered his true career path: he completed an internship in accounting at N.V. Robert Bosch S.A. in Brussels, which confirmed his interest in finance. As part of his diploma thesis, Philipp Marquardt spent several months working at Bosch Industrial España in Madrid, Spain. Working as a trainee in the finance and controlling department, he developed and implemented a balanced scorecard for the Shared Services Organization. After graduation, Philipp Marquardt began his career at EY in Stuttgart as an internal auditor, crediting the professors at Pforzheim for motivating him to land this role. He encouraged students to actively build these relationships and networking, attend events, and not be shy about reaching out when you need help.

Leadership, Innovation, and the Human Touch
During more than 11 years at Clariant, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies, Philipp Marquardt gained extensive international experience, traveling across regions from East to West. A highlight of his career was a three-year assignment in Indonesia as Director of Finance, where he led a team of 20 and adapted his leadership style to local contexts to ensure motivation, performance, and team harmony. Building on these experiences, Philipp Marquardt highlighted the growing role of technology in today’s business environment: “Organizations have become more agile, and technologies such as AI now play an important role in driving efficiency. Yet, they remain a tool supporting strategy, decision-making, and intercultural competence while the final responsibility continues to rest with people.” 
At Kärcher, Philipp Marquardt encourages employees to explore AI tools like Gemini to streamline workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making, all while maintaining human oversight and team cohesion. He emphasizes leading teams with harmony, ensuring technology supports people rather than replacing them. Today, he serves as Director of Global Finance at Kärcher Global Services, where he leads a global team of nearly 100 people across Germany and international locations, fostering both innovation and collaboration in a digitally evolving workplace.

Taking the Step, Living in Balance
As a final takeaway, Philipp Marquardt shared a guiding principle with the students: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” He reflected on the importance of being open-minded, positive, and taking that first step individually. “Although the studies in this business school are tough, with demanding subjects like statistics, tax, and labor law, you need to go through them even if they are not your favorites, because they are truly important for your later career and helped me greatly in my professional life. At the same time, I recommend everyone to enjoy life during your studies, having fun is also part of the journey,” he wrapped his inspiring talk by encouraging students to find balance and practice self-care, discovering their personal ways to recharge and stay energetic and positive.