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... Tomorrow's impact.

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne trains outstanding young talent and equips them for a successful career. Their career paths, paved by a sound degree programme, are diverse and individual.

As a valuable source of engagement and inspiration, here are some of our successful alumni talking about the impact of studying at WiSo on them individually and on their careers.

Alumni-Testimonials

  • "You are not here to accumulate knowledge, but to learn how to think." This sentence from my first lecture at the University of Cologne has shaped me to this day. During my studies at WiSo, I learned the fact-based and analytical approach that still helps me today to solve strategic and abstract problems with the necessary depth of detail. – Tim Höttges, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deutsche Telekom AG

  • The University of Cologne is one of the top universities - not least because of its excellent academic training. I really appreciate the large number of practical references in the main seminars and was able to use them over and over again. – Dr Stefan Schulte, Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport AG

  • Studying at the WiSo Faculty has been an all round successful period in my life that has shaped me holistically as a person. It was a time that paved the way for my professional life, as I was able to built the foundations of my career. I still remember with great fondness Professor Harald Schaumburg's lectures on international tax law, which took place on Wednesday evenings and were attended by no more than ten students on average. There was certainly no better way to learn how to deal creatively with difficult, non-strictly logical national tax laws than in those two hours. Great moments in my education! – Lars von Lackum, Chief Executive Officer of LEG Immobilien AG

  • Remember that the best managers are not only experts in their fields, but also have strong personalities. Above all, you have to be able to take people with you. As a manager, I have to be able to motivate, moderate and integrate, as well as act empathetically. A good boss builds a strong team by finding the ideal mix of different skills and characters. My advice for your career and professional development is to always show your personality. Don't pretend to be someone that you’re not. Stand up for what you believe in, even when there's resistance. At some point, you’ll be recognized as someone who can withstand the storm. And as soon as a position opens up, the leaders will remember you. – Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Member of the Executive Board, Finance and IT of Porsche AG

  • Studying economics taught me structural thinking, sharpened my analytical skills - and my eye for the essential. It was the quality of the lecturers of the University of Cologne and in particular the topics of economic policy, financial economics and, later in the main courses, microeconomics and energy economics that shaped me. WiSo's reputation and network made it easier for me to enter the profession. Receiving the basic skills needed in my job from challenging teachers at a renowned university has helped me up to the present day. – Dr Dirk Schmelzer, Chief Financial Officer of Scout 24 SE

  • I am proud to be an alumnus of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, where I studied Business Administration. The knowledge, skills and experience I gained during my time at WiSo have been invaluable to my career. I would recommend studying at the WiSo Faculty to anyone looking for a comprehensive education and a solid foundation for a successful career in the business world. – Henning Gieseke, Chief Financial Officer of Ströer Management AG