Interview
Why did you decide to study International Business and Management on the work-study programme at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?
First of all, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to share my experiences. I hope that this interview will appeal to some prospective students who, whilst still exploring their options, are undecided as to whether they should pursue a dual degree programme or opt for full-time study instead.
Why HSRW? I grew up in a small village near Kalkar in the district of Kleve, and the development of the university, and the associated urbanisation of the town, was something I witnessed from an early age. Whilst studying economics and administration for my A-levels, languages were one of my strongest subjects, so it was clear to me early on that I would prefer to study in English. As luck would have it, HSRW established itself as a renowned university and offered a variety of Degree programmes that were very interesting to me.
First, I’ll briefly explain how I came to undertake enrolment on the dual study programme, as I had previously been enrolled at the university as a full-time student. My journey at HSRW began in the Winter semester of 2017, at that time as a student of International Relations – a very interesting, exciting and highly topical Degree programme which, however, as I realised during the course of the first semester, could not open the doors to the professional world that I had envisaged. In the following semester, I switched to the International Business & Social Sciences degree programme (now International Business and Management), which soon proved to be a career-defining choice for me. Due to the birth of my son during my studies and the resulting financial difficulties, I found myself forced to make plans for the future at an early stage. I decided to take a break from full-time study, stabilise my financial situation and complete my degree through the dual system. So much for my personal background.
Much more interesting for you: why a dual programme? It became clear that, alongside a sound theoretical background, companies particularly value practical experience and, in some cases, even prefer it. Therefore, partly due to my age, the best choice for me was to complete a dual degree programme, i.e. one that combines academic study with practical work experience.
Which company did you do your apprenticeship with?
I completed my training at EAF Computer Service Supplies GmbH in Goch, a medium-sized IT distributor that offered the dual study programme in 2022/2023 and where I secured a place relatively quickly after an initial interview. During my studies, there were a few challenges, both for me and for the company. For example, the projects, assignments and field trips that are part of the course were at times a major challenge in terms of managing the daily workload and not falling behind. The company was always understanding of the situation and supported me in my career plans.
What has been your experience with the dual study programme? What went well and what, if anything, was challenging?
I can offer the following advice to anyone interested: generally speaking, the cliché that a dual study programme is nerve-wracking and time-consuming holds true, but – and this is the key point – it’s worth it. The investment you make, even if things sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride, will pay off in the end.
The positive aspects of the programme were the fascinating insights gained in the lectures, the university’s very well-organised projects, the insights into the company, and the support that came with it. Because you’ve chosen a slightly more challenging path and the company is aware of this, you have the opportunity to take on tasks within the company that go beyond the traditional scope of training.
Perhaps some of you might view the following points negatively, but I still see a positive opportunity for your development in all of this, just as it offered one for me: During the dual study programme, a high degree of time management, self-discipline and, above all, self-organisation is required. This means that in some situations, you will have to teach yourselves the course content from your studies or school. It is important that you build up a good network within the school and the university and stay on the ball. It is essential that, throughout the entire process, you keep track of when deadlines are and complete tasks well in advance, because – at least in my experience from my previous full-time studies – they will catch up with you eventually.
The challenging aspects of my studies – though this is a very personal perspective – were the limited time I had with my son, the constant three- or fourfold workload that came with it, and the feeling that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
At this point: thank you to my coffee machine.
What are your plans after graduation?
I started looking for jobs after my dual degree programme well before I finished my studies (I’ll be submitting my Bachelor’s thesis a few weeks after I complete the programme), as I knew early on that I enjoyed the strategic and project-oriented work within the company the most. Unfortunately, there were no vacancies for this at the company where I did my training. Over time – to be honest, after sending out 180 applications – I received a positive response from eBay for a role as a strategic account manager, which is where I’ll be heading on 1 July 2025.
At this point, I’d like to emphasise two things: if you decide to go down the dual study route, be clear about your career aspirations and preferences early on. Also communicate in advance what your career aspirations are and consider whether the company can support you in that regard. If this isn’t the case, then enquire broadly about whether there are opportunities for Internships or working student roles, because I’ve found that the more experience you have in a specific (not too diverse) field, the better.
What is your typical working day like as an Account Manager?
My job is fully remote, which means that I work exclusively from home, except on very special occasions (and then in Berlin). My day-to-day work involves analysing the performance of our sellers on the eBay marketplace, advising them on areas for improvement, and proactively suggesting ways to boost sales on the platform. I work for the company’s German Department, have around 50 parent accounts and a few child accounts that I advise, and a great team with whom we try to make the platform a little better for buyers and sellers every day.
What advice would you give to prospective students interested in an IBM dual study programme?
I think I’ve already given quite a bit of advice along the way. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with me at any time. Preferably via LinkedIn using the name shown above.
I hope I’ve been able to help you and provide a bit more clarity on your journey.
Good luck on your journey!
Date of interview: June 2025