Marco Tikvic | From the yacht to a degree in Business Administration

Marco Tikvic is studying Business Administration at the University of Klagenfurt. After finishing school, he was able to gain professional experiences in the private sector and also decided to start studying at the same time. We met him for an interview.

Please tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Marco Tikvic, I am 26 years old, and I currently live with in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee with my wife. I am in the final stages of my Master’s degree programme and I also work at Kelag in Klagenfurt.

What are your hobbies, what do you like to do in your free time?

In general, I love to travel and try to spend my free time exploring foreign countries and beautiful places around the world. But when we are here in beautiful Carinthia, I usually spend my free time playing football, tennis or just relaxing with my family and friends.

Can you tell us something about your CV up to now?

I completed my school-leaving exams at the BRG Mößingerstraße and then I took up my studies. Alongside my studies, I have always had an active professional life. Today I can look back on more than three wonderful and very interesting years in the yachting business. During this time (and in the course of completing my Bachelor’s degree), I had the opportunity to get to know the University of Klagenfurt both as a student and as a teaching assistant and tutor at the Department of Marketing and International Management, the Department of Controlling and Strategic Management and the Department of Economics. Experiencing everyday life at the university from a different perspective broadened my horizons and helped me to appreciate the opportunity of studying even more. Immediately after my activities at the university and at the start of my Master’s degree programme (Applied Business Administration – General Management), I was able to gain a foothold at one of the largest energy supply companies in Carinthia, where I am currently very happily employed.

How did you find out about the University of Klagenfurt?

Born and raised in Klagenfurt, it goes without saying that I have always been aware of the university. Even so, the years leading up to the end of my school career and associated thoughts about the future brought the University of Klagenfurt into focus for me more and more. This was reinforced on the one hand by my family and friends (some of whom studied at the university before me), and my service at KHG Klagenfurt gave me further positive insights into student life at the University of Klagenfurt.

Why did you choose the programme you are studying?

It became clear to me relatively early on during my school career that I wanted to pursue an academic career. I have always been interested in economics/politics and numbers, and the general economic correlations/models/constructs and phenomena of everyday life more or less made the decision for me. Since Economics is not offered as a separate degree programme in Klagenfurt (but the University of Klagenfurt appealed to me), I decided to study Applied Business Administration, as this degree programme most closely reflected my interests.

What milestones have you been able to master in this study programme to date?

I have taken several interesting and exciting courses during my studies. I would say that every completed exam/course is a milestone in itself and brings you a little closer to your goal. Although it must be said at this point that completing a degree (with the associated Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis) is certainly the most significant milestone from a student’s point of view.

What do you remember most?

There are quite a few: the first course at the university, the first exam, or being actively involved at the university for the first time, these are all things I will cherish forever. Here, once more, I have to repeat myself: graduating from university is really a special moment. All the efforts etc. that go with it are forgotten at the time of graduation, I would say that this is a moment that really stays in the memory of every student.

What challenges still lie ahead for you?

As I am currently finalising my Master’s thesis, I would say that this is the next logical (but perhaps not the last) hurdle/challenge in my studies. Once the Master’s thesis has been finalised and the Master’s degree programme has been completed, a new chapter will begin with new challenges.

How would you describe the University of Klagenfurt to a good friend?

The University of Klagenfurt is a good place to complete an interesting and varied degree programme. A wide range of different programmes, teachers from all over the world and a friendly atmosphere complete the overall picture. In addition to the academic aspects at the University of Klagenfurt, it must of course also be noted that Klagenfurt as a location with its extraordinary quality of life contributes to making the University of Klagenfurt a worthwhile address for every student.

Do you have a role model? If yes, who and why?

Naturally, we all have people, in sports or science, who serve as role models and against whom we measure ourselves, or from whom we can learn a lot. But my role models come from my personal surroundings. Firstly, my parents, who opened every door for me and were the best role models in terms of diligence and motivation. And secondly, definitely my wife! She is not only a calming influence, but also manages to motivate me every day – in every way – to support me, to make me laugh and she compensates perfectly for my weaknesses.

Marco Tikvic is pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration