What was your career path like after graduation?
In my current role, I work at the intersection of strategy consulting, energy transition and digitization. On a daily basis, I develop new strategies, business models and organizational structures, analyze markets, value chains as well as drive digitalization and innovation in companies.

In what ways did the MBA help prepare you for the German labor market?
The MBA equipped me with the necessary strategic management, innovation and digital transformation skills. I gained experience in the management of consulting projects and had a chance to work in collaboration with a global consulting firm as part of a company project in the third semester.

What advice would you give to those applying?
Use the opportunities offered by the MBA program to try a broad range of topics and see what you are truly passionate about. Also, try to work with various types of personalities on your projects to see first-hand how diversity can improve project success rates.

Thank you, Paula!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“Intercultural teamwork and the professional presentation /appearance through all the company visits, project presentations & guest speakers.”

What was your career path like after graduation?
“I started to work as a project manager in a small digital agency before I acquired my SCRUM Master certification and started to work as a Scrum Master for NTT Data Germany.”

What aspects of the MBA program would you tie to your success after graduation?
“Working a lot in group projects with different team- and culture-mixtures for every project definitely shaped my career path.”

Thanks, Sandra!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“I wanted to do the next career step. Certainly, there are different options to do so, but for me a MBA study seemed to be the perfect fit. Hochschule Pforzheims very good reputation, combined with its extensive academic & professional network and the excellent price-performance ratio convinced me to choose Pforzheim.”

What was your career path like after graduation?
“After graduation I applied and got accepted for an IT project management position at Daimler AG. Currently, I mainly manage large-scale business intelligence / analytics projects.”

In what ways did the MBA help prepare you for the German labor market?
“The MBA´s networking opportunities are very directly linked to my career success, as I got offered to write my thesis at Daimler´s business innovation lab at the end of my first semester. Apart of that, many of the people I met during the MBA shaped my mind set during very intense 1.5 years, which helps me in my job.”

Thank you, Kevin!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“I chose Pforzheim MBA because I was planning a radical change in my career while raising a 3 year old. Pforzheim MBA met all requirements I had for a business school: well rated school in Germany [check], situated in the proximity of large companies [check], family friendly [check], business oriented curricula [check]. Pforzheim MBA was a no brainer.”

What advice would you give to those applying?
“1. Think first what you want to achieve. Make your check list and then ask the MBA Office and alumni for information to verify your requirements list.
2. Keep a radically open mind. While you’re focusing on your end goal, and your check list, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity that lies behind the corner.”

What did you think of the MBA’s use of case studies?
"The case studies helped me understand and work better with the concepts I was learning. I believe Pforzheim MBA has an optimal combination of theory, concepts, frameworks and their practical implementation. After 5 years, sometimes I still go back to some of my assignments to get some ideas for my current work.”

Thank you, Adriana!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“1. Interactions with professors who have successful business careers in their fields as well as a highly diverse group of students broadened my horizon.
2. The student consulting project helped me prepare for my next career move.”

How has your life changed since finishing the MBA?
“After the MBA, I have started a new career track in management consulting and joined DHL Consulting, the in-house consulting unit of the Deutsche Post DHL Group. I have had a fantastic experience at DHL Consulting since then in a highly international, fast-paced and collaborative environment.”

In what ways did the MBA help prepare you for the German labor market?
“During the MBA, we had a well-structured international management curriculum taught in small classes of diverse students and carried out student consulting projects were we gained experience in how to manage a consulting project and stakeholders. We visited a number of renowned German companies.”

Thank you, David!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“I was looking for an international MBA program at an institution in Germany with high reputation in Management studies and with broad industry network in Germany and in the region. In addition, the international classroom experience has led to my decision for Hochschule Pforzheim.”

What was your career path like after graduation?
“I started my career right after graduation at BASF in Germany in a global procurement role and worked on IT Procurement strategies and diverse sourcing projects. Afterwards I had the chance to join the BASF regional procurement team in China for several years as Procurement Category Lead and team lead... In 2018, I moved back to Germany to work for Bayer.“

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“Leadership and European politics classes shaped my perception of working in and leading effective teams and the influence of macro-economical factors at corporation level. The wide network of the program with partner universities enabled me to study in the UK and in China within the MBA.”

Thanks, Bo!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
There were multiple criteria that influenced my decision to study at Hochschule Pforzheim.  The first criteria was an AACSB accreditation, which would show my achievements at HSPF are recognized worldwide. Secondly, I wanted a practical, hands-on approach to learning where I would also gain exposure to industry experts in- and outside the classroom. Finally, I sought a program that emphasized sustainability and corporate social responsibility not just in specific courses, but also integrated these topics through the curriculum. The MBA at HSPF fulfilled these top three criteria perfectly. When it came down to choosing between HSPF and another university, I ultimately chose HSPF because of the longer duration of the program. The longer program not only allowed me to gain foundational knowledge of various business functions in the first semester, but it also allowed for a deeper exploration of relevant topics and coursework in subsequent semesters which are vital to approaching today's business needs.

How has your life changed since finishing the MBA?
Since finishing the MBA, I moved to the Netherlands, started working as an Investor Relations Officer for a publically listed tech firm, and nearly tripled my network. For me, the MBA gave me the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in such an interdisciplinary role whether it is in finance, cross-cultural communication, marketing, or strategy.

What advice would you give to those applying?
The MBA is about what you learn. Go for it and commit to being a lifelong learner. Moving to a new country while also taking on the challenge of a rigorous MBA program is not easy, but it is the best time to try and learn new things even if there are some mistakes along the way.

Tank you, Gabrielle!

What are your main takeaways from the MBA?
There is a lot of variety in the professional working world, might sound corny saying that, but the MBA program really has a lot of different personalities with different areas of specialty & expertise. Regardless of that background, your ambition to pursue any business topic during your studies & after graduation are supported by your professors and wide choice of business electives. The base program is a strong foundation & the electives + company project and ability to work in the 4th semester really give you a great opportunity to focus your career in any direction you choose.

How did the MBA program help you in your professional career?
The interactions with future business leaders from a ton of different cultural backgrounds certainly prepared me to work with international teams at EY. I work with teams across EMEIA & having the empathy and emotional intelligence on top of the hard skills the MBA provides has certainly been an advantage for me. Relevant courses that have really helped me in my current work include: change management, innovation management, information management, design, project management and communications management. I refer back to that knowledge & have really built my career on top of those foundations, making them stronger with each new project and new work experience that I take on.

What do you, in your experience, think is/are the main advantage(s) of HSPF's MBA?
The HSPF MBA is credentialed, affordable and full of world-class professors that have worked in business for many years before coming to HSPF. So emphasizing the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule) over a regular research university, really means that students get relevant, hands-on case studies based on real world experiences from professors and companies in Europe. Further to that point, you also get to meet those leaders of industry in the region and have the opportunity to work on actual projects that directly impact those companies. This makes transitioning into the German working world significantly easier than other programs. Another advantage for those that want to work in other countries in the future, the lessons you learn here can be applied in any professional services working environment globally,  not only in Germany. On top of that, there’s the opportunity to learn with partner universities in several other countries as well. Alumni of our program are working for top companies in countries all over the planet.  
 
What would you advice current students to do/look out for while going through the MBA?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone into the new area of work you envision yourself in. Want to be a better public speaker? take advantage of those opportunities to present case studies and pitches in front of your classmates & experienced professors. Want to get into consulting or finance or marketing? Take electives in those fields and really apply what you learn from them during your projects and internships. The real benefit of the MBA is not getting the best mark, it is about gaining new knowledge, failing fast and truly learning from your 2 years at HSPF. Also, hang out with German students outside of the MBA batch! Those connections and experiences will really give you a taste of the local culture & help you make some lifelong friends while also seeing more the region has to offer like beautiful hikes, streams and villages in the Black Forest that are only 15-30 min away by S-Bahn or bus.

Thanks, Rupert!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“I want to highlight the coaching sessions we had, focused on soft skills, negotiation, and effective presentations. These skills are key for any role, helping MBA Pforzheim graduates to stand out.
The main reason why I chose this program was to acquire academic and practical knowledge.”

How has your life changed since finishing the MBA?
“After successfully finishing my studies I shifted my career to the financial sector, which was my goal before starting the program. Now, I’m part of Qontigo - Deutsche Börse Group as a Strategy Analyst in Frankfurt, leveraging the different learnings and experiences that I acquired in the previous two years.”

What advice would you give to those applying?
“The MBA is the perfect setting for anyone to build or improve their business acumen, and strengthen their soft and hard skills by gaining practical and academic experience in different topics. Don't miss any opportunity to leverage and interact with the program's professors, which have outstanding practical experience and deep knowledge in technical topics.”

Thanks, Andrés!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“I wanted to work in Germany after graduation… the MBA program seemed to be very well connected with companies and institutions in Germany and even neighboring countries like Switzerland. It allowed me to increase my knowledge and experience in business topics…”

What was your career path like after graduation?
“I received a job offer already in the second semester due to a project done through the MBA program. However, it ended up not working out and a month after graduation I got the opportunity to start working at one of the leading companies in the furniture fittings industry worldwide. I am currently in charge of Sales Controlling for the Sales Director in Germany.”

What advice would you give to those applying?
“When applying, be yourself. The program benefits from all different backgrounds and perspectives, as this mix combined with critical reasoning and analytical thinking improves classes and learning in general for both students and teachers and makes learning way more interesting.”

Thank you, Eduardo!

What was your career path like after graduation?
“I received an offer for a full-time job at SAP, which is where I started working as an intern during my MBA studies. I have been happily working there since 2015.
I did my bachelor in marketing, and wanted to focus more on digital marketing, which is what I am currently doing.”

What aspects of the MBA program would you tie to your success after graduation?
“The MBA program has an excellent reputation; this is helpful when applying for jobs at top employers in the area. Also, the MBA Pforzheim collaborates with companies that are top employers in the area.”

How has it been working in Germany since you finished the MBA program?
“I've been fortunate to find a job that I like in a global company, all the intercultural competencies I learned during the MBA came in handy. Also, SAP has received many awards for being an awesome place to work, so I can only say that it has been a positive experience.”

Thank you, Gabriela!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to study with and learn from students from other countries.
I appreciate the dedication of professors and staff who constantly provided a challenging curriculum that often integrated their professional experience into the teaching.”

How has your life changed since finishing the MBA?
“I purchased one business in 2003, founded a second business in 2007, and currently working on starting a 3rd business.  I believe The MBA program at Hochschule Pforzheim provided me the basis to confidently apply what was taught to me during the purchase acquisition of one company and to be able to successfully grow two companies over the last ~20 years.”

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“Hochschule Pforzheim provided me a unique opportunity to study business administration in a foreign country, surrounded entirely by foreign students, which would not have been the case at U.S. business schools.  Also, the ability to work at a German company (Zeiss) and to be advised by a professor while writing my thesis in German…”

Thank you, John!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
The MBA International Management is a very practical and focused program. The MBA allowed me to significantly strengthen my skills and enhance my knowledge in different business aspects.
The chance to connect with various companies and professionals from different sectors is also a very positive point of the MBA.

What aspects of the MBA program would you tie to your success after graduation?
I had opportunities to work with classmates from 8 different countries and cultures and have amazing friends. Our professors, experts in their field, are always enthusiastic about helping students, even now after graduation.

How would you describe your MBA experience?
I enjoyed exciting classes, real-life business cases, group discussions, and very practical and valuable company projects. Diversity was also the highlight of the program.
My MBA time at Pforzheim University was a great experience. I am happy that I made the right choice for my education and good preparation for my career.

Thanks, My An!

Why did you choose to study at Hochschule Pforzheim?
“Because of its prestigious AACSB accreditation, small class size offering a vibrant cross-cultural atmosphere, strong cooperation with firms like Bosch, Daimler, Mahle, Siemens, etc. and last but definitely not the least the promising career development that the program offers the students post-graduation.”

In what ways did the MBA help prepare you for the German labor market?
“The innovative mix of theory and practice in the MBA curriculum prepared me well to not just enter but to rather thrive in the German labor market. The wide variety of courses covered all crucial business areas and played a pivotal role in building a solid foundation for my future professional career.”

How has it been working in Germany since you finished the MBA program?
“I have had an excellent experience so far of working in Germany since finishing the MBA program. I can attribute a lot of the credit to the MBA curriculum, the world-class teaching faculty of HS-PF, my peers in the program from whom I learnt a lot through our multicultural interactions.”

Thank you, Himanshu!

How did the MBA help you?
Our MBA program definitely has broadened my horizon in many perspectives.It not only has fulfilled my expectations of expanding business knowledge but also helped me a lot to improve my communication skills. It was totally worth it!
 
What is the most memorable experience from your MBA times?
The 2 years were full of challenges, laughs, and that certainly leads to growth. We teammates worked hard together for group projects, enjoyed the time together visiting companies, celebrating after exams. It was all unforgettable times.

What advice would you like to give to our current MBA students?
Enjoy the time of studying as much as you can, it certainly the best investment for yourself!

Thank you, Lei!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
“1. Intercultural relationships management - In all facets of my professional career so far, I have been working in global setups where interpersonal skills and people aspects that I acquired through my MBA group works and company project allow me to be successful.
2. Focus on value - The program taught me how to differentiate myself from being generic.”

How has your life changed since finishing the MBA?
“The MBA led to a 180° transformation of my career thus enabling me to switch from being a backend IT service staff to a strategic top management advisor. The challenging assignments with the professors and my cohorts over the 2 years have made me someone that pays close attention to time, quality and market credibility in everything I do.“

In what ways did the MBA help prepare you for the German labor market?
“The program offers a rare combination of classroom study and company visits/engagements. This not only helped me in strengthening my core skills but also connected me with the German industry as such. My first real opportunity in the German market was through a summer internship at Carl Schlenk AG through the MBA program's contact.”

Thank you, Gopi!

What were two of the key takeaways from your time in the MBA program?
a) Modern work takes place in teams. To succeed, you have to be a team player and be agile
b) Think strategically and do only smart work

How has your life changed since finishing your MBA?
Since completing the MBA, I have had head hunters calling me and it gives me so much satisfaction that my bosses and colleagues listen to me because they have come to understand that I have well-grounded business competence

Why did you chose to study at Pforzheim University?
I searched for an MBA which was affordable with a Business School accreditation. Pforzheim Hochschule fulfilled the prerequisites and in addition, focuses on the Triple Bottom Line concept.

Thank you, Olaitan!