(gratuated in 2011)
Executive Management Assistant, transport engineering industry (5.000 employees worldwide)

"My initial drive to study International Business Management at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences was my interest in languages, business and cultures. After two semesters in Villach with interesting seminars, projects, excursions and guest lecturers, I decided to go abroad. As I had already been to the U.S. and to Ireland during my Bachelor degree, I wanted to experience a country that is culturally more different. So I went to our partner university in Istanbul. 

During this semester we also had the challenging task to undertake an interregional project for a company. We formed our own project team consisting of six students from five different cultures, established contacts to an Austrian company that was interested in expanding to Turkey and conducted a market research project, offering strategic market entry options for our client. In this project we could use all the theoretical knowledge about project management, intercultural communication, international management and market entry strategies that we obtained in the previous semesters. Our client was very satisfied with the results and it was fun and challenging to work amongst different countries. 

After I graduated I moved to Cologne, Germany where I started to work for a renowned company. Here I can use my international experience, language and intercultural skills, theoretical as well as practical background that I obtained during my studies to coordinate our subsidiaries and assist the CEO in strategic decisions.

I can only recommend studying in Carinthia due to the good education, the unbureaucratic organization, the friendly atmosphere as well as the modern infrastructure and amazing landscape of mountains and lakes surrounding the university."

(graduated in 2011)
Key Account Manager, Kleine Zeitung GmbH & Co KG

"For me, studying International Business Management was a quite challenging experience because I did my bachelor in engineering and consequently had a technical background. The reason why I changed my study career was that I saw myself more as an industrial engineer and wanted to improve my managerial skills. Therefore, the master course in International Business Management provided me with all necessary business and socio-economic knowledge and skills to specialise in this field. Another convincing factor was that the whole program is taught in an international environment which means that students from all over the world are working together. Hence, the opportunity is given to form international networks and build up friendships with people from all over the world.

My greatest wish after I finished the master degree was to stay in Carinthia. The explanation is that during my five years at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) I really learned to appreciate the all around perfect conditions which I discovered here. As a result, I was very contented that I found an optimal profession where I have the possibility to apply my gained knowledge instantly.

As Key Account Manager I am responsible to coordinate the relationship between our business and its most important customers. To fulfil this duty a variety of tasks including project management, strategic planning, relationship management and the know-how to develop innovative opportunities are necessary. When I am looking back, I definitely can say that the diversity and quality of education which I experienced at the CUAS are one of the key factors of my success."

(graduated in 2011)
Project Manager Marketing & Sales, EF Education First, Vienna

"Travelling, learning languages and trying to grasp the socio-economic context of the countries in question has always been an inspiration to me. It was also a major motivational factor to start and continue studying. On these grounds, I was glad to be accepted to join the "International Business Management" Master program at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Villach. Learning about international business environments while sharing the room with classmates from all over the world (e.g. Brazil, Russia or China) added some first-hand insights and a kind of “real-life-trial and error” tests to many of the discussed topics.

After graduating, I moved to Vienna where I was given the chance to work as project manager for “EF”, the world’s biggest language travel organizer. For me, flexibility and an open mindset are substantial for any kind of career advancement. Therefore, I am sure that CUAS provided me with a set of useful tools for many challenges yet to come."

(graduated in 2011)
3i program manager at Siemens, Malvern/Pennsylvania, USA

„Joining the International Business Management program at CUAS was definitely one of the best choices I have ever made, as it has added so much to my life in different ways. Firstly, it has broadened my political and cultural perspective as the classes offers an interaction with international students and well-experienced teachers. This has helped me to better analyze situations with a more critical view. Secondly, CUAS created a professional environment which I personally believe is very important for the development of our business-oriented mind. I can still recall the projects that we had to developed facing time and performance pressure. I have learnt a lot from these projects as they integrated multiple disciplines from the IBM program. Finally, I must say that the course has greatly helped me to improve my soft skills. Meeting people from all over the world was definitely part of a great experience that will never be forgotten.
I am sure that IBM has opened many doors for my future career, providing a perfect combination of theories and practice in a international environment. Many great moments with teachers and colleagues will endure in my mind. They have taught me many many great things ...“   

(graduated in 2010)
Project Controller, NABUCCO Gas Pipeline International GmbH

"I decided for the IBM Master Study driven by the idea that multicultural teams bring synergy to projects. This was later on confirmed when becoming part of an international flagship project: Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH.

During my studies at FH Kaernten, I worked on projects within an international environment and developed a strong interest for travelling and understanding other cultures by organizing events/trips together with my friends and colleagues here.

I moved to Vienna and started to work as Team Assistant in the above mentioned company. The business knowledge and skills acquired during the IBM and the motivation to get  more involved in the Nabucco project, created me the opportunity to work in the PJM Department on Project Controlling with a focus on Cost Management. As part of a multicultural team, I’m consolidating my business background and learning how to react to challenges of all sorts."

(graduated in 2010)
Marketing Assistant, Loccioni Group, Italy

"I chose the IBM Master degree as I wanted to gain managerial competences in a nice and international environment which CUAS is able to offer. What I got out of this period is far more than I expected at the beginning – not only regarding the important skills that I acquired. Also personally, I grew a lot. For instance, I improved my communication skills and developed intercultural competences, upgrading my ability of working in international teams. I also found real friends and made experiences that I will keep for life.   

After the Master´s degree, I moved back to Italy and started to work as a marketing assistant at Loccioni Group, where I am part of a young team with a lot of international experience. I have found a dynamic and motivating environment where it is possible to grow professionally and to make use of the skills acquired during these last years at CUAS.

Looking back, I am really convinced that the experience at CUAS School of Management was the right choice and opened new opportunities for my future."

(graduated in 2009)
Faculty coach, FAB/BBRZ Reha GmbH
 

"I consider myself very fortunate that I had the opportunity to do my master´s degree in International Business Management at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

The extremely practically-oriented instruction allows a fast and easy implementation of the skills learned in later professional life. The cross-cultural orientation was very interesting and I learned a lot for my future career.  I would also like to emphasize the always friendly and professional support that I received.

My previous bachelor´s degree was in Health and Care Management , so I preferred to return to the social sector again. In the autumn 2010, I entered as a professional and social worker at BBRZ Reha GmbH. On July 1st, 2011 I will change internally (FAB) to the Production School  as a faculty coach teaching business administration. The objective is to strengthen the personal development of the participants and to improve their chances in the education system and the labour market.

I am able to combine both disciplines, Health and Care Management and International Business Management, well in my current work, which provides me with a good basis for my job."

(graduated in 2009)
Project Manager, Carinthia Economic Chamber, Foreign Trade Department and European Union  Affairs

"After several years working abroad in different countries and areas I decided to complement my practical experience by doing a Master studies in International Business Management.

Looking back, this was the right decision not only because I could develop my knowledge in business management, communication and intercultural competences, but also I got to know some extraordinary colleagues from all over the world. Studying and working in an international environment was one of the main targets for my future career. Since autumn 2009, I am the responsible manager for EU projects within the Carinthia Economic Chamber. My previous studies helped me a lot to be well prepared in my today´s job where I represent the connection point between companies and institutions among different regions. I am proud to have studied in such an intercultural and competent environment."

(graduated in 2009)

"The Master Program in International Business Management gave me the opportunity to complement my former studies, to interact with colleagues from Austria and abroad and to develop my soft skills. This was the perfect combination for my further career and preparation for an international environment that I am now working in. Since August 2010, I am working at the headquarters of Mayr-Melnhof Karton GmbH in Vienna. As Junior Corporate Accountant Manager, I am responsible for the consolidation process of the financial statements of our subsidiaries in 5 countries as well as the preparation of the annual report of the group according to IFRS."

(graduated in 2009)
Researcher and Trainer
 

"As an IBM student, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge on legal issues, the global economy, and specifics of doing business in South East and Central Europe and the EU.

Being an international student from Eastern culture, I have experienced different cultures through my colleagues, as well as a beautiful natural environments and landscapes in Carinthia.

Originally coming from a technical background, the IBM has opened a new way of thinking from a business perspective to me. As the father of three children (two  during my study period) and a full time employee, I have experienced a hard, however impressive and enjoyable time.

Continuing my research work in integrated systems and the area in circuits design with the intercultural experiences and the knowledge accumulated in the IBM program, I was invited to do trainings and workshops on intercultural awareness for renowned companies such IBM in Germany, Windtec, FACC, or WKO. A single proprietorship will be started soon, and I am interested in the cultural activities and business between Europe and Asia. Without the IBM program, I would not have begun all these new challenges."