Interviews

❔You studied marketing first - how did you get your master's degree?

➡️In my bachelor's degree, I didn't really have the one field of study that I liked, so I ended up studying marketing. I quickly realized that it was a bit too monotonous for me. I am a very creative and also strategically inclined person and was looking for new challenges. We had some lectures on the subject of digitalization in my studies and I have always been interested in new trends. Artificial intelligence in particular piqued my interest. As a result, I wrote my bachelor thesis in this area. Afterwards, I did two internships in the field for a year and was once again confirmed that digitization is exactly my thing. That's why I specifically looked for courses on the subject of digitization when I was searching for a degree program and then came across the Master's in Digital Business and Innovation Management (DigiBIM). What particularly attracted me to DigiBIM were the alternative learning formats.

❔How can you bring your knowledge from your previous studies to the master's program?


➡️The topic of customer-centricity, which is central to marketing, helped me a lot. It's also a basic for us in the degree program, as we look at innovations from the customer's point of view. So my bachelor's degree helped me to approach things with the right mindset. Other than that, the creative aspect and "out of the box" thinking was still useful for me. In my opinion, the most important skill for this degree program is to be interested in learning many new things and to trying things out - then the previous study background is not that important.

❔The application phase for the new DigiBIM semester is over - what were your reasons for applying to DigiBIM? 

➡️I found it exciting that the study program is structured differently - no boring lectures with only frontal teaching. DigiBIM is made up of sprints, among other things, in which you actively participate and can ask questions. It is also good that there is a lot of exchange with the professors. The other topic that appealed to me was technology. We learn to code ourselves and have lectures on data analytics. It is quite difficult to find something that links the technological direction with the business side without going into the computer science area.

❔Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen?

➡️Don't be afraid and try everything! There are only 24 of us students in the current semester and we know each other really well by now. It doesn't matter if you have experience in a field or not - just start talking to people. Don't overthink, mistakes don't matter, because you can learn from them. Enjoy Münster and the lifestyle here. For me, a perfect Saturday would be brunching in the Hansaviertel, taking a bike ride along the Promenade, and sitting by the canal in the evening with friends and having a drink.

❔What made you decide to start a second master's degree?

➡️There were several reasons why I dropped out of my first master's program. From where I wanted to develop, the master's was actually quite suitable for me. It was a lot about technologies and innovation management in combination with moderation and consulting. At the end of the day, however, it was a dual master's program and the cooperation with the company was no longer what I had imagined at the beginning. Since the studies and the company were directly linked, I ended both and ventured a small new start. I came to DigiBIM because I realized in my master's degree that I was interested in innovation and digitization. So I found exactly the topic that I wanted to explore further.

❔ How did you decide on the master's program?

➡️To be honest, I stumbled across it. I tried a lot of different things at first - I looked into internships and tried to find another job that would allow me to continue with the dual master's program. I also looked in all possible directions for a new suitable master's. So, more or less by chance, I came across the DigiBIM site via the topic of innovation management and thought to myself "That's about what I've been looking for the last two years."

❔Where do you think you can bring your skills as a mechanical engineer from your previous studies to DigiBIM?

➡️I think that by studying mechanical engineering I have a different mindset and see different approaches than now typically business people have. Throughout my studies, I have become more and more interested in leadership and organization and have continued to grow and diversify. I try to take what I learned in my studies, but also find several new perspectives. For example, I have learned quite a bit in the area of technology management, facilitation and consulting that I have now been able to take with me into the founding of our student initiative TryAngle. On the one hand, I find it very interesting to come from mechanical engineering, where things are very much in the technology direction - we develop something and see who buys it. And now to say it also works the other way around and maybe even better, from a customer-centric perspective. I find it very exciting to link the two perspectives.

❔What new things have you learned in DigiBIM?

➡️A lot of basics, tools and technologies. However, what I have taken away the most so far is the drive and the mindset from the whole study. I come from a more traditional company with more traditional mindsets. At DigiBIM, I've learned to move away from that mindset, adapt it, and expand my own way of thinking.

❔In what way could DigiBIM be interesting for mechanical engineers?

➡️I think there are many points of contact. What I have learned so far from my studies is a very technical view of everything. I think one sees other problems and sees problems differently when one can also take a different, new view. It's not necessarily always comfortable, but it's super fun. I think there's a lot of potential in that. For me, the connection between business and engineering is already a first, super interesting step and opened up a first new world for me when I started my industrial engineering master. Now that I'm studying DigiBIM and seeing even more perspectives and getting impressions from the outside, many more worlds are opening up for me. Of course, this also opens up new perspectives and greater potential than before. I think that can be extremely exciting.

❔Do you have any idea where you want to go after graduation?

➡️Originally, it was all clear to me. After the first semester of this master's, I honestly have zero plan anymore. So many new avenues have opened up for me, just from founding our student initiative TryAngle and doing project work around Trust+. I have the perspective of going into completely different fields after this master's. It was clear before, but now it's still too open for me to decide. I think it's brilliant how many directions I could go in after this. I don't think it's just me, but others as well. When you think about it, it can also be a bit scary because you basically have many paths open and at some point you have to decide and prioritize very strongly. I'm positive about it, though, because I can redevelop and reinvent myself. I have so many new opportunities now that I never even dreamed of before.

❔Do you already know what you want to do in your Experiential Semester?

➡️ Theoretically, I wouldn't necessarily have to do it if I had parts of my previous master's degree credited to me. However, I definitely want to take it. It's just a gigantic opportunity. I have some ideas and possibilities for my Experiential Semester. Exactly what direction I want to go in is still open, though.

❔Why did you decide to study DigiBIM?

➡️The primary reason was that the course content is very exciting. I was convinced by the fact that one is introduced to the topics of innovation and digital business models and, building on this, can then independently identify, tackle and solve practical problems in the second semester. In this phase, you can fall back on the knowledge that you acquired theoretically in the first semester. Another advantage of the study program is the interdisciplinarity, which is also reflected in the teamworks within the study program. The professors and lecturers, as well as the students come from very different disciplines. It's super exciting to have very different input and perspectives in the team and then implement projects together.

❔Which project have you enjoyed the most so far?

➡️ The Design Thinking Sprint. Simply because it is a good basic method for approaching the topic of innovation. Be it because you want to found a company or develop innovative ideas within a company. The key learnings from design thinking are very helpful to identify relevant problems and develop practical solutions.

❔You are studying Digital Business and Innovation Management. What would you like to specialize on in your later career?

➡️I am interested in two different points. One is that I find the interface between a technology, for example blockchain, and a company or a business model exciting. How do I really get the full potential out of the technology? On the other hand, I'm interested in identifying problems when talking to customers and developing a solution based on that.

❔You spent your semester abroad in Seoul - what did you do there and what did you learn from the experience?

➡️For me, the focus of my semester abroad was not necessarily on studying itself. Especially when you go to a country where the cultural difference is incredibly fascinating compared to your own home country, it's exciting to immerse yourself there and fully take in the culture. I am very grateful that the people in Seoul were very open and invited me to get to know a part of their culture. If you are curious about learning about and from other cultures in your semester abroad, you can take a lot away from it. One of the most important things I learned personally, is the way people in South Korea communicate with people from different cultures. The key words are high context and low context culture. None of this is right or wrong, you just have to know how to handle communication. I've become much more sensitive about that. If I know the person is from a different culture, I'm a little more cautious and first search for the best strategy to contact the person.

❔You have successfully completed your first semester - what is your summary?

➡️I am 100 percent convinced that I made the right decision to come to Münster. I really like the city and the study program. I get along great with my fellow students. It's really nice working together, despite the fact that we've only seen each other in person for two weeks because of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, we are the first class of DigiBIM and have the opportunity give a lot of feedback and directly voice our opinions. I think that's also a great point. The professors listen to us and give us the opportunity to get involved in the program. I think, especially against the background of innovation, a feedback and error culture is essential. This is also lived in the study program.

❔Where do you see innovation potential at FH Münster?

➡️I think the FH has a good reputation beyond the borders of North Rhine-Westphalia and a lot is being done correctly in the individual areas. Especially because the FH is a University of Applied Sciences, where practice and research are closely intertwined. Attempts are being made to bring research to the outside world and to implement it within companies and projects. I still see huge potential in the exchange between the individual departments. For example, bringing the idea of the DigiBIM program into the FH Münster. Why don't we do projects with engineers, designers, IT specialists and business economists? Why don't we promote this kind of exchange? I have the feeling that we still think and work very much in silos. I think it would be very exciting to tackle this idea.

❔What do you like best about Münster so far?

➡️I like jogging around the Aasee or along the promenade. It's the lifestyle in Münster that I like. I was here for a week and immediately thought, "This is a city where you can easily spend three, four, five years." It immediately felt like home to me. The quality of life in the city is extremely high.

❔Hi Delaram, may you introduce yourself? 

➡️I am Delaram Shah Hosseini - but my friends call me Delli. I have been studying Digital Business and Innovation Management (DigiBIM) at FH Münster since the winter semester 2020/21. Prior to that, I worked in the fashion industry for one and a half years and was responsible for sales operations management at Converse, among other things. I made a conscious decision to study for a master's degree - DigiBIM was also the only degree program I applied to. It just sounded right to me. It was particularly important to me that I could also expand my practical skills during my studies.

❔What has been the biggest challenge for you so far?

➡️That was the "Data Literacy" course for me. It was precisely because I had the least knowledge about it that I learned the most. Of course, the time coordination from all the group work is also tricky sometimes.

❔Which module did you like best so far?

➡️I really think the Data Literacy module. I also thought it was great that we took a tour of Münster with Sandy Fisher and Prof. Mike Wasserman at the very beginning. We took a look around the city to see what could be digitized and innovated. After all, Münster is quite traditional.

❔Do you have a tip for other students on how to cope well with the online semester?

➡️I think acceptance is quite important - coming to terms with the situation and seeing the positive. Of course, many wish to be on site in the FH Münster. I think this wishful thinking is what can also spoil it for you. At the moment, you just have to make the best of it. It's not just us as students who have to adjust now, but also the lecturers. We are in a similar situation. Besides, it's always good to take time to get out into the fresh air. Otherwise, you really often sit in front of the laptop all day, write papers or participate in meetings.

❔What do you plan to do in your "Experiential Semester"

➡️My favorite thing to do would be to go on a semester abroad. My plan is to write my master's thesis first now. Hopefully after that the situation with Covid-19 will have calmed down. Ideally, I'd like to do some kind of research abroad with a few fellow students, where you can actually make a difference and learn something yourself.

❔Thuong, would you like to introduce yourself?

➡️I am Thuong Huynh, I am 23 years old and studied International Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf. Afterwards, I directly wanted to do my master's degree. I bridged the time between my bachelor and master studies with an internship in consulting. I wrote my bachelor's thesis on artificial intelligence and wanted to focus more on digital technologies and innovation. FH Münster with the Digital Business and Innovation Management degree program was exactly what I wanted to do.

❔Where did your interest in artificial intelligence come from?

➡️I had a couple of guest lectures on artificial intelligence during my semester abroad in Ireland. The topic fascinated me so much there that I wrote my bachelor thesis about it. It's about artificial intelligence and its impact on social and economic inequality.

❔Is there anything in the master's that has surprised you so far?

➡️In fact, I didn't think we would be thrown around in so many different teams. But I also didn't think I would enjoy it so much. In my experience group work is often difficult, the communication is usually not the strongest or one person does more than everyone else. But I think it works very well in our study program. Everyone pulls along and everyone is equally motivated.

❔Has anything surprised you in Münster?

➡️I think Münster is very, very beautiful, especially the old town. What surprised me is the bicycle culture of the city. It's very dominant. You can often not ride too comfortably as you have to closely pay attention to the bike traffic. Often people ring their bells at you as well.

❔Dear Ms. Stypinski, what is your function in the Digital Business and Innovation Management (DigiBIM) master's program?

➡️I am at the coordination office for the program and primarily deal with inquiries from applicants. Later on in the study program, I help students with all kinds of problems and refer them to other help services at FH Münster. At the moment, mostly prospective students who have questions about study design or admission inquire.

❔ Speaking of admission, what do applicants have to pay particular attention to?

➡️The DigiBIM degree program requires a special aptitude. Therefore, the incoming applications are reviewed by a selection committee of professors. In some cases, the suitability is already determined there. Otherwise, the letter of motivation is most important, which should show why DigiBIM is the ideal complement to the previous education and fits the individual's professional career. For the possible interview, it is advisable to look at the course of studies and the module handbook and to recall your own motivation.

❔Why should students be interested in the Master Digital Business and Innovation Management?

➡️Digitization is the topic of the hour! A lot of things are being digitally converted and therefore specialists are urgently needed to coordinate, structure and optimize the sometimes complex processes. This saves a lot of nerves for everyone involved and problems can be avoided. A real relief.