Between future skills and a full-time job

Stefanie Huber works full-time at Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH and has opted for part-time studies at the FHV. In her job, she works as a Learning Specialist in the HR department and manages two global strategic digitalization projects. The passionate skier is also a core team member of the cable car world market leader's employer branding project. With her Master's degree in Business Administration - Sustainable Management with a specialization in People, Organization & Transformation, she wants to better understand and actively shape change in organizations.

Acquiring future skills

The decision to study in Vorarlberg was well-considered and characterized by a portion of curiosity. In 2018, the former university management of the Vorarlberg Electrical and Metal Industry (V.E.M.) had already completed a Master's degree in Business Education at the University of Innsbruck. "The FHV is close by and the course is part-time. That fitted in perfectly with my everyday life," she says. However, the content was the main deciding factor: future skills, personnel development, digitalization. Topics that are not just buzzwords for her, but real levers for change in companies. She was particularly impressed by the new course structure with lecture series*. "I hadn't seen it before and I think it's an exciting approach," she says.

Time management with freedom 

She doesn't want to reduce her intensive and exciting full-time job at Doppelmayr at the moment. Studying, working, everyday life - it sounds like a challenge, and it is. But she keeps the balance with tight time management. Perhaps it's because she consistently carves out time for herself: Crossfit twice a week, spontaneous walks on the Bödele at the weekend, games evenings and rounds of Jass with friends are a must. "You have to give yourself space, otherwise it won't work," she says.

Practical studies 

What she particularly appreciates about the FHV is its proximity to practice: many lecturers work full-time in companies and also teach at the FHV. And this is exactly where Stefanie sees the added value. "That way you keep your finger on the pulse. Theory and practice go hand in hand." She advises prospective students to prepare well: Read the curriculum, attend information events and ask questions. "It's good to know what to expect. Then part-time studies can be a real opportunity." For Stefanie, the path is clear: understanding the future, transforming organizations and not forgetting the people, but taking them with you.

*All students on the Master's in International Business Administration - Sustainable Management with the various specializations (Accounting, Finance & Controlling / Marketing, Sales & Innovation / People, Organization & Transformation) initially have six lecture series together on the cross-cutting topics of sustainability, business psychology and digital transformation. The lecturers also alternate within the different lectures in order to provide students with different perspectives. After the lecture series, each cross-cutting topic is concluded in a seminar focusing on the respective specialization. 

Do you also want to deal with the future of organizations, understand change and play an active role in shaping it?

Then find out here about the study opportunities in the Department of Business and Management.