“The good image of the University of Klagenfurt really impressed me.”

Our graduate Manuel Krebs studied Applied Business Administration at Bachelor’s and Master’s level, and also completed a Master’s degree in International Management. Today he is a member of the Talent Network team at Infineon Austria Technologies AG in Villach. The well-balanced curriculum and the positive image of the university particularly caught his eye when choosing a degree programme.

Do you still have a connection with the University of Klagenfurt?
I regularly attend USI courses and I continued to enrol in language courses even after completing my business studies. I was recently invited to speak at the Career Paths event in the field of Business Administration.

An unforgettable experience during my time at university was … There are several: from fun university parties and fascinating excursions to spending two semesters abroad.

When I think of the University of Klagenfurt, I immediately think of … great friendships that were formed during these years, the elation after each successful exam and the study breaks at and in Lake Wörthersee.

Why did you choose the University of Klagenfurt?
The well-balanced curriculum and the positive image of the university particularly caught my eye when choosing the degree programme. What attracted me to International Management was the multicultural group setting, the fact that the degree programme is entirely in English and the mandatory semester abroad.

Did you spend time abroad?
I went abroad twice for six months each time as part of the Joint Study and Erasmus programmes. At Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, I lived more or less right in the geographical centre of the USA, and was able to improve my English and make great friends. By my second semester abroad I already had quite a lot of “international experience”, but it wasn’t until I was in Alicante that I really learnt to speak Spanish. The first few weeks there were particularly exciting and challenging.

How have these experiences shaped you?
The two semesters abroad were probably the most instructive periods of my student life. What began as a major challenge with a (partial) lack of language skills in a new cultural environment proved to have a significant impact on my personal development. I’ve taken a much more relaxed view of life and all its many challenges since then and I know that I can handle situations involving considerable uncertainty with ease.

Do you have any tips for current students who would like to go abroad?
Take advantage of the opportunities, learn to find your way in a foreign environment and get to know lots of people.

How did you end up in your current position/job? How has your career developed?
Parallel to my studies, I started working at the university as part of a team addressing a university-wide optimisation project. This gradually developed into a full-time position in Controlling. After around two years and having completed my second degree, I moved into the energy sector, where I worked for almost six years. There, I was able to develop very well and work my way up. I then decided to explore new professional territory and change sectors. After taking a short break, I started my current job in HR.

What kind of duties does your job entail? Could you tell us what your daily work routine looks like?
I am currently part of the Talent Network at Infineon Austria Technologies AG in Villach. This department is responsible for all activities aimed at attracting talent to the company. In addition to talent marketing, my main task in the area of talent attraction is to find the best talent and recruit them for the right positions within the company. The operational activities are peppered with several HR-related projects that are carried out across countries and divisions within the group.

What do you like most about your job?
I really enjoy the contact with many different people in an international context. I can draw something positive and instructive for myself personally from every conversation with every person and I am particularly pleased when I can help people find their dream job at Infineon.

Did your studies prepare you for your current job?
The Business Administration degree programme in Klagenfurt gave me a very comprehensive education, which prepared me perfectly for my professional life in that I can always incorporate as many different aspects and a wide range of knowledge as possible into my decisions. In addition, the International Management degree programme provided excellent preparation for working in a global company with multicultural teams.

How do you define success?
For me, success means getting a little better every day, no matter in what respect.

What advice would you give present-day students?
Gather as much experience as possible and try things out. If you have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad, take it – you won’t regret it. Working part-time in various student jobs or internships also provides valuable insights into working life and looks good on your CV. Make contacts during your time at university, you never know whether they will be useful to you later on.

What do you do to achieve a healthy work-life balance?
Above all, sports in various forms and I like to enjoy my free time with family and friends.

What challenges excite you the most?
Those that initially seem particularly difficult to accomplish.