Anas Aldowajy

Date of Graduation
March 2022

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis
The Role of The Government in Enhancing The Solar PV Industry – A Case Study of The Government Role in The Historical Development in Germany and China

Current position
Country Manager – UK Market (LipoCraft GmbH)

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
Managing the UK Market for the brand ActiNovo. Collaborating with the Marketing, Customer Service, Logistics, and Operations Departments to achieve the business goals of the company.

What did you like about your International Business studies in particular?
I liked the program itself and the courses that were available for us, especially the focus elective courses. I also liked the atmosphere in general; I was privileged to make friends with students from all around the world.

Do you have any recommendations for future International Business students?
I recommend the future students to start the program with a positive mindset. Be open, curious, and thrive to learn and grow. The IB program has a lot of great opportunities for the students. Do your semester abroad in a new country and get professional experience from abroad as well. IT IS WORTH IT & IT IS FUN.

Steven J. Pawlowicz

Date of Graduation
March 2021

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis
Starting up an Online Marketing Agency - The design of a sustainable business model considering potentials and risk factors through the example of PACER Media

Current position
Founder @ PACER Media

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
We design and produce creative and unpredictable ideas for our clients to lead their markets.

What did you like about your International Business studies in particular?
I absolutely loved the period abroad! The IB studies did not only hone my academic skills but also shaped me as a person through new experiences and interactions with people from around the globe. 11 out of 10 would highly recommend you to apply for the IB program!

Do you have any recommendations for future International Business students?
Be open and limitless. Every decision can be life changing for you in a positive way when you study IB. Therefore, be open to new things and explore new things. Most importantly, you and your fellow students should be there for each other, like a support system. Be kind!

Martha Wenzel

Date of Graduation
September 2020

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis
Lithium as key resource for a sustainable mobility – understanding the necessity and costs of lithium reserve development in Bolivia

Current position
Co-founder and CEO at E-TERRY GmbH

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
I bring together the right people in the right environment to build an agricultural robot that enables sustainable and intelligent farming on a large scale.

What did you like about your International Business studies in particular?
I was amazed by how many people with different backgrounds come together in one single program and how that enriched every single day of studying. Being in this international environment constantly opens up new perspectives and gives the opportunity to learn so much more than just hard skills. Also, I highly appreciated the intimacy of the program and the hands-on mindset of the professors.

Do you have any recommendations for future International Business students?
Do not hunt after 1.0’s constantly and do not just learn everything by heart. When you get your degree what counts is what you have taken from your lectures and how you make the most out of it in your professional life. Also, get a working student job, socialize with others, and actively shape your course of study to suit your needs and interests. And most importantly, keep pushing yourself and ENJOY!

Polina Ivanova

Date of Graduation
July 2019

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis
Assessing talents effectively and efficiently. Critical analysis of the implemented selection process of information technology managers in Puma SE and development of recommendations for the future improvement

Current position
Junior Manager People Development & Organizational Learning at PUMA SE

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
Assisting various learning initiatives as blended and digital corporate education, communicating learning opportunities to employees.

What did you like about your International Business studies in particular?
Diversity of covered topics during the program fascinates! It makes IB exceptional among other programs on the market. Disciplines cover as classical theoretical foundations, as well as modern trends and technologies, capturing all major business functions. This magical combination makes graduates prepared for dynamic business world and highly demanded on global job market.

Do you have any recommendations for future International Business students?
Enjoy these outstanding years of IB studies! Learn, network and experience as much as you can. It is great intercultural environment for it. Remember, that there are no more and less important subjects, all of the knowledge received you are going to successfully integrate into your future work.

Felix Neulinger

Date of Graduation
June 2019

Topic of the Diploma/Bachelor´s Thesis
Concept development of an evaluation tool for Return of Investment calculation of SIMATIC RTLS (Real-Time Locating System)

Current position
Virtual Sales Associate of the Cisco Sales Associate Program

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
My goal is to provide the industry with the best IoT and telecommunication solutions the market can offer.

What did you like about your IB studies in particular?
I particularly liked the practicality of the program. You can really feel that the professors, who are teaching the subjects, come from the industry, have hands-on experience and are enthusiastic to share their knowledge with the students. They were always very responsive and I constantly felt like if I had a question or a problem, there was someone I could have asked.

Do you have any recommendations for future IB students?
Understanding what business is truly about is not solely achieved by sitting in a lecture and listening to the experiences other people have made throughout their lives. It should serve as a motivator to get YOU moving. Take the initiative, get an idea of what you are good at and capitalise on these strengths. Get a working student job, even if you do not need the money, but it will provide you with such valuable, practical experience. It is the perfect opportunity for you to apply in practice what you have studied in theory. Take inspiration from great people, choose a hero figure for yourself. It has helped me greatly, as you will not always feel as motivated all the time. Eventually, become the hero for others and try to serve as a good example.

Christopher Göhl

Date of Graduation:
August 2019

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis:
Reciprocity in Human-Chatbot interaction: An Experimental Study on Branding-related Outcomes & Effects Based on the Social Exchange Theory

Current position:
Solution Engineer (ITONICS GmbH)

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
I solve the problems and challenges our customers face in their innovation management related activities through sophisticated and bespoke software solutions in order to enable them to scale the ITONICS Enterprise Grade application throughout their organization.

What did you like about your IB studies in particular?
Studying is not only about learning the subject at hand, but also about growing up and learning how to deal with difficult and tricky situations inside and outside the courses you take. Combine that with an international focus and hands-on experience, all in English? Yes, please! In addition, a work/study abroad experience is an option with most degree programs, but with IB it is a must, forcing you out of your comfort zone, shaping each student, and instilling a love of the new. Because we are such a small group of students, each year was able to have a very intimate and focused study experience. Having this multitude of experiences at your fingertips will make a lot of things easier for you later in life.

Do you have any recommendations for future IB students?
Don't take yourself too seriously! You are just one of many we’re not special! There are 2.9 million students, many of whom will have good grades. Don't get lost in the pursuit of grades, use the university experience to make friends, go to parties, and develop skills outside of the classroom. Get involved in extracurricular activities and find a passion outside of studying. Go abroad and make the most of it, overcome the fear of being responsible for yourself. Fail often and fail fast, that's how we grow, so don't be hard on yourself. This is what will distinguish you from the others - everything else is a plus.

Johanna Weigl

Date of Graduation:
September 2018

Topic of the Bachelor´s Thesis:
Analysis of the Importance of Influencer Marketing in the Automotive Industry

Current position:
Digital Transformation Analyst at Accenture SONG

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
By leveraging digital technologies and creative growth opportunities in changing consulting projects, I focus on improving consumer experiences together with our clients in different industries.

What did you like about your IB studies in particular?
Looking back to my good old student times, the two factors, that are immediately at top of my mind are the gained experiences abroad and connections to my peers. Having the opportunity and support to spend two semesters in an international environment to develop interculturally, professionally, and personally shaped my mindset and skills for my current role. Plus, I have collected so many great memories, that I would not want to miss! And, secondly, I always loved the fact, that the IB program is a relatively small group with strong international background. Being surrounded with diverse and open minds fostered strong connections that still hold up until this day.

Do you have any recommendations for future IB students?
Make the program yours! You are provided with so many different opportunities in terms of partner universities, language courses, topics and industry connections – make the program to your personal toolbox and select the puzzle pieces that you need and truly want for your personal path and development. Sometimes its hard to know what you truly want, so give it a try, start, fail, learn & grow – and repeat that cycle as often as possible!

Katharina Thomas

Date of Graduation
July 2017

Topic of the Diploma/Bachelor´s Thesis
The Influence of Shifts in Brand Image on Market Relevance – On the Example of Hollister Co.

Current position
Communication Coordinator, LEGO Foundation, Denmark

How would you describe your work in one sentence?
I drive projects that communicate what the LEGO Foundation is, what we do, how we do it and why learning through play is essential for children to develop a breadth of skills that are crucial for the 21st century.

What did you like about your IB studies in particular?
I loved the international atmosphere, especially that we had the opportunity to go abroad twice during our studies. It made wonderful memories and helped me to find out who I am and where I want to go. It also helped me to find out a little more where my career should take me.
I highly appreciated the strong focus on soft skills such as presentation techniques. This is rather unique and helps immensely for Master studies as well as in different work environments.

Do you have any recommendations for future IB students?
Make the most of your time abroad, it shapes you personally and professionally! Appreciate the sometimes tough schedule, it prepares you perfectly for master studies and your future career. Lastly, do not forget to enjoy your studies and do some extracurricular activities that you love.