After my studies of mechanical engineering and economics at the Technical University of Graz I have worked for ALSTOM Switzerland and experienced what is like to be part of a completely international and multicultural company. I have lived in several countries and travelled from one continent to the other carrying out inspections of big gas turbines and taking them into operation. As a Commissioning Engineer I mainly dealt with technical aspects, however, with the promotion to the Commissioning Manager my tasks changed and I could experience my first leadership positions. After 5 years with ALSTOM it was time for change.
Due to a job search I came across the International Management Program of the Zurich Elite Business School. The IMP offered the combination of both studying at the ZEBS and accomplishing several projects for a company that supports the IMP. Also very promising sounded the leadership coaching and mentoring that was offered by the ZEBS helping the fellows in developing their leadership skills and also giving support during the daily business.
My educational and professional background met the requirements for the IMP and shortly after my application ZEBS offered me three different positions within companies that were interesting in supporting the IMP: I was offered a position as a project manager for a consulting company, another as a consultant for production management and the third one as a consultant of a CEO. All three opportunities sounded very interesting but finally I chose the consultant position for the CEO of a company in the traffic safety business where so far I could apply almost the whole knowledge gained by the MBA program. Especially the strategic management and management consulting courses helped me to develop a promising international business strategy for the company.
Overall I must say that the International Management Program at the ZEBS met all my expectations especially due to the highly qualified lectors out of the business world and the practical orientation of the program that gave me the opportunity to directly apply all acquired knowledge in my daily work. A very good mixture between theory, case studies and business simulation games in Zurich ensures the high quality of the program. Working within multicultural groups shows the diversity of thinking, processes and results. I’m convinced that I made the right decision to join the IMP and I’m looking forward to applying the tools and skills gained by the program in the future.
Markus, IMP – Fellow at Zurich Elite Business School