With the new IBM curriculum, the Master’s students are profiting from practical business laboratories, in which they can engage in real-life business projects in every semester. A special highlight of the third semester is the “International Consulting Lab”, taught by program director Dietmar Sternad and part-time lecturers Pierre Bechler and Bernhard Erler. In the lab, students are working in teams to consult various Carinthian companies. This year, the students have the pleasure of working with ASSMONT GmbH, go-e GmbH, P.SYS system creation KG and SLEEP TIDY GmbH. In the course of their project students conduct an in-depth marketing analysis and create a market development strategy for their client.

In the kick-off phase of the Consulting Project, the “IBM team” invited Romana Navisotschnig into their midst. Being a CUAS International Business Management alumna herself, Romana shared her steep career path. Furthermore, she gave valuable input from consulting practices she learned at EY and adapted for herself.  

Not only did she share insights into her work as a consultant, but also as a recruiter for EY, and provided advice for potential future applicants. Eventually, students were allowed to ask any questions they had, for instance regarding “myths” about consulting, the day-to-day business of a consultant, recruitment secrets and, last but not least, input for their own consulting projects and the first meetings with the client. Meeting Romana in the hybrid IBM classroom allowed students to get inspired by her honesty, enthusiasm and ambition in an informal setting.