30/09/2015
DHBW study course with Voith - Interview with Maximilian Gauland
In today's interview, Maximilian Gauland talks about his experiences to be a " dual studies student" at Voith.
-
- Zur Großansicht
Why have you decided for a DHBW study course at Voith?
By signing up for a dual study course I was hoping to gain a deeper insight into the operations of a globally active company and learn more about its value creation chain and its internal processes. The prospect of also learning more about my own strengths and weaknesses during my practical phases was a determining factor for choosing dual studies. Voith inspired me by its highly diversified product portfolio as well as the Group's international orientation based on the values of a family-owned company. For these reasons I really wanted to become part of the company and therefore a true Voithian.
Why exactly did you go for this degree course?
My interest in business subjects began at an early age when I signed up for an intensive course in economy during my final years at high school. I therefore consciously decided to start a study course in business administration, as it included materials management, controlling, HR and marketing. In my opinion it is essential to know about these areas in order to understand the inner workings of a company.
What are the requirements for this study course?
First of all you need to be resilient and willing to produce outstanding results. The theoretical phases at DHBW are really stressful, and the practical phases, too, require a great deal of initiative and motivation. Through these studies I have learnt how to act under pressure and adopt a target-oriented attitude. Equally important is to be a good communicator and jump over your own shadow. In this way you can take up many opportunities and complete your studies successfully. It is certainly never boring.
Which personal interests and hobbies are useful for your studies?
My passion for travelling and making friends all over the world is really an asset for dealing with different cultures. Intercultural competence is an essential feature of this study course and highly important in day-to-day business. A good knowledge of foreign languages is also very useful. English is a basic prerequisite for successfully carrying out daily occurring tasks. In my spare time I attend language courses for Spanish, French and Chinese at the DHBW.
Which departments did you get to know during your studies?
I was able to gather my first professional experience during my practical internships in the departments marketing HR and communications. Apart from getting to know the Holding company of Voith GmbH, I also came across the Divisions Voith Paper and Voith Turbo. In addition I had a practical internship in Shanghai, which helped me to understand the Chinese way of life.
What did you have to do during this time?
During my studies I had an opportunity to take on a wide variety of tasks. One of the projects was looking into the intercultural communication between Germany, China and Brazil within an HR IT rollout. In addition I was entrusted with generating German and English product brochures and sales presentations for the introduction of new products. I also cooperated in a product launch and organized a photo shooting. In personnel marketing I gained a deeper understanding of the world of social media with activities on Twitter, Xing and WeChat. Other exciting assignments were the organization, implementation and the follow-up of German-wide university and career shows.
What were your best and worst moments during your studies?
The downside of the study course are the time-intensive and therefore stressful exam phases. On the other hand, my studies offer unique opportunities that are vital for me, so I would again decide in favor of this training. Apart from my practical internship in Shanghai, China, I also completed a double BA (Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in business management in Cardiff, UK. These overseas experiences were the highlights of my three-year studies.
What would you like to do after your studies?
I would like to continue working in an international environment, and I am particularly interested in marketing and sales. Through my studies I have learnt that my interests lie in these areas and that I really enjoy working in these fields. In the long run I can imagine to live and work abroad and go on an international placement.
Many thanks for the interview!
