Dual study program in Business Informatics promises excellent career prospects.
Kevin Kiefer from Wardenburg is currently in his third semester studying Business Informatics as a career changer in a dual study program at the IT & Business School (IBS) Oldenburg. The 21-year-old completes his practical phases at AMCON in Cloppenburg.
Choosing the right field of study isn’t always easy. Even after settling on a subject, many students find that their studies turn out differently than expected. This was also the case for Kevin Kiefer, who discovered a professional field he truly enjoys as a career changer in software development. The aspiring business informatics specialist initially studied mechatronics for six semesters in Bremen after finishing high school. Over time, he realized that although he enjoyed the computer science aspects of the program, the electrical engineering content didn’t match his expectations.
“I’ve been programming since the eighth grade and mostly taught myself. At first, it was just a hobby, but during my first degree program, I realized I wanted to turn it into a career,” Kevin explains.
While searching for alternative study programs, he came across the website of IBS Oldenburg, where he found a dual study program in Business Informatics. The theoretical part of the program is taught in class-like structures with up to 30 students. The practical component takes place at one of several partner companies in the region — including his current employer, AMCON. The software company has offered this program in collaboration with IBS for several years, and since this summer semester, also in partnership with Hochschule Weserbergland in Hameln.
Best decision for the future career
Kevin initially applied to AMCON and completed an internship to get a feel for the daily operations of the software company in Cloppenburg and to understand what a software developer does on a day-to-day basis. He enjoyed the work, which led him to start the dual study program in cooperation with IBS Oldenburg in the summer of 2018. Now in his third semester, he is able to draw a first conclusion: “Switching my degree program was the right decision for me. The biggest advantage of a dual study program is the practical relevance. The connection between theory and its application in the company is immediately clear. Plus, I can gain work experience while still studying,” he says. He adds, “Another big advantage of the dual program is that I earn money and don’t need to take on side jobs to finance my studies.” Another benefit, he points out, is the close relationship with both his colleagues at the company and his fellow students at the university. “If I have questions, there’s always someone I can talk to,” Kevin explains.
With a bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics, graduates can pursue a wide range of career paths—whether in project management, sales, or software development. “Since I really enjoy software development, that’s where I currently see my professional future. But that could still change, as I still have four semesters to go and am excited to see what’s ahead,” Kevin concludes.
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