Andrei Moroc, Romania, MBA Class of 2011
Associate Director - Shipping Origination, CFA Berenberg Bank

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
"During my Bachelor studies I was able to study at Hochschule Pforzheim as an Erasmus / ISP (International Study Program) exchange student for one semester. In this semester I was able to see the hands-on teaching methods and the excellent professors, who usually had an industry background and were always in close contact with the students. I feel as though I learned more in that one semester than in years of Bachelor studies, while at the same time enjoying the classes more and putting in what felt like less effort. Therefore, I knew that once I got my two years of work experience required by the MBA, I would come back to Pforzheim."
 
What was your career path like after graduation?
"At the start of my last semester of the MBA program I was interning with Allianz Global Investors in Frankfurt. At this time I was approached by a headhunter, who brought me a great job before I even started writing my thesis. The position was for a project manager handling shipping investments at a joint venture between GE Capital (General Electric), Peter Döhle Schiffahrts (a leading ship owner controlling over 400 vessels), and HCI Capital (Germany's largest equity raising firm for shipping). I worked in this position for almost five years before changing to Berenberg, a leading investment bank and wealth manager in the German-speaking area with a history of 430 years. I have been with Berenberg for over four years now and my current position is Associate Director with a focus on the maritime industry and shipping investments."
 
What aspects of the MBA program would you tie to your success after graduation?
"The main aspect was the knowledge and advice I got from the professors at the Hochschule Pforzheim, both in and out of class. Having classes with practical content, with 5 to 15 students and professors coming from the industry made the learning environment conducive to acquiring practical skills and know-how. Another aspect was the awareness I gained from my colleagues, who came from all over the world and from various professional fields."

Thank you, Andrei!