MBA in Germany: HHL Leipzig, EBS, Pforzheim, ESB Reutlingen & HWR Berlin

jmailreg

4 8

Posted Mar 29, 2020 22:27

Hi everyone,

At present, I’m planning to get an MBA in Germany and transition my career to become a project manager or business analyst in InsurTech or FinTech Start-ups. As I lived in Germany for 10 months and enjoyed my life there, Germany is the only country that I will consider. My long-term goal is to have my own start-up in 5-7 years.

Here is a little bit more about my background:
Work experience: 6 years in Insurance field
GMAT: 640
IELTS: 7.5
German: currently at B1 and plan to complete B2 before September.

Because my bachelor degree was in Psychology, I have less choices of school. I am currently applying for 5 schools: HHL Leipzig, EBS, Pforzheim, ESB Reutlingen and HWR Berlin. In case I get offers from all 5 schools, I am wondering if I consider: HHL > Pforzheim > ESB Reutlingen > EBS > HWR Berlin?

Appreciate for your comments regarding the schools and career path. Thank you in advance!

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 29, 2020 22:55

Personally I might put ESB at the same level, or even above, Pforzheim.

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jmailreg

4 8

Posted Mar 30, 2020 03:31

Personally I might put ESB at the same level, or even above, Pforzheim.

Thanks for the speedy reply!

From your professional perspective, what makes ESB the same level or even above Pforzheim in my case?

[quote]Personally I might put ESB at the same level, or even above, Pforzheim.[/quote]

Thanks for the speedy reply!

From your professional perspective, what makes ESB the same level or even above Pforzheim in my case?

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 30, 2020 11:45

Pforzheim (and Esslingen) are stronger on the manufacturing side than on services, and they have more experience in the international MBA market. However, ESB is a larger, more respected and more broadly-based business school with a better network in services firms (McKinsey, Amazon, Roland Berger etc) and financial services. Indeed, looking on LinkedIn, ESB, as a single school, has more MBAs in financial services than Pforzheim as an enture university. https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?facetGeoRegion=%5B%22de%3A0%22%5D&facetIndustry=%5B%2243%22%2C%2241%22%5D&facetSchool=%5B%2211875%22%2C%2211814%22%2C%224055032%22%2C%22356082%22%5D&keywords=MBA&origin=FACETED_SEARCH

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jmailreg

4 8

Posted Apr 02, 2020 22:00

That's a solid point. I've also looked at the alumni and curriculum of ESMT, WHU, MBS & Frankfurt. It seems to me that if I consider 2021 intake (so that I have more time to get a higher GMAT score & better German language skill), ESMT is the best alternative for my career goal though the tuition fee is the highest among all these schools. If I don't get a seat at HHL, should I go for the 2021 January intake of ESMT instead of getting in ESB/Pforzheim?

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Apr 02, 2020 23:14

That's a great idea, especially if you use this time to work on your German.

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00578

21 12

Posted Apr 12, 2020 16:11

Hello. While it is definitely true that the area around Pforzheim is more conducive to the automobile line of profession, many of the MBA program alumni at Pforzheim took a totally different career path post graduation. As a current student enrolled in the program, I can definitely attest to this. Many of these alumni now work at attractive employers in consulting
(e.g. EY, KPMG etc.), IT industry (SAP, Microsoft), banking or tourist industry and others. Some of them even founded their own start-ups.

Besides a strong alumni network, we also have a new mentor-ship program with which they are trying to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and enable forming the right connections.

Hope this help :) Cheers!

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Inactive User

728 405

Posted Apr 12, 2020 18:10

A PMP or Prince 2 certification will benefit you more in your transition to PM than a MBA.

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jmailreg

4 8

Posted Apr 14, 2020 01:51

That's a great idea, especially if you use this time to work on your German.

Thank you for sharing your views on my case. I really appreciate it.

[quote]That's a great idea, especially if you use this time to work on your German. [/quote]

Thank you for sharing your views on my case. I really appreciate it.

quote

jmailreg

4 8

Posted Apr 14, 2020 01:55

Hello. While it is definitely true that the area around Pforzheim is more conducive to the automobile line of profession, many of the MBA program alumni at Pforzheim took a totally different career path post graduation. As a current student enrolled in the program, I can definitely attest to this. Many of these alumni now work at attractive employers in consulting
(e.g. EY, KPMG etc.), IT industry (SAP, Microsoft), banking or tourist industry and others. Some of them even founded their own start-ups.

Besides a strong alumni network, we also have a new mentor-ship program with which they are trying to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and enable forming the right connections.

Hope this help :) Cheers!

Hi there,

Thanks for the sharing!
From your experience so far, is there any career fair / company visit that is connected with start-ups? And how does the mentorship programme work?

Moreover, would you mind sharing your experience about the admission interview you had previously? Thank you in advance :)

[Edited by jmailreg on Apr 14, 2020]

[quote]Hello. While it is definitely true that the area around Pforzheim is more conducive to the automobile line of profession, many of the MBA program alumni at Pforzheim took a totally different career path post graduation. As a current student enrolled in the program, I can definitely attest to this. Many of these alumni now work at attractive employers in consulting
(e.g. EY, KPMG etc.), IT industry (SAP, Microsoft), banking or tourist industry and others. Some of them even founded their own start-ups.

Besides a strong alumni network, we also have a new mentor-ship program with which they are trying to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and enable forming the right connections.

Hope this help :) Cheers![/quote]

Hi there,

Thanks for the sharing!
From your experience so far, is there any career fair / company visit that is connected with start-ups? And how does the mentorship programme work?

Moreover, would you mind sharing your experience about the admission interview you had previously? Thank you in advance :)

quote

jmailreg

4 8

Posted Apr 14, 2020 02:02

A PMP or Prince 2 certification will benefit you more in your transition to PM than a MBA.

I also googled these 2 certification, and it seems that Prince 2 is more popular/recognised in Europe. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that it's unlikely that I can get a post-study work visa for just studying Prince 2. Since I'm a non-EU citizen, work visa will be an issue.

What's your view about taking Prince 2 course after graduation (while working)? Is it necessary in the German job market?

[quote]A PMP or Prince 2 certification will benefit you more in your transition to PM than a MBA.[/quote]

I also googled these 2 certification, and it seems that Prince 2 is more popular/recognised in Europe. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that it's unlikely that I can get a post-study work visa for just studying Prince 2. Since I'm a non-EU citizen, work visa will be an issue.

What's your view about taking Prince 2 course after graduation (while working)? Is it necessary in the German job market?

quote

00578

21 12

Posted Apr 14, 2020 14:51

Hello. While it is definitely true that the area around Pforzheim is more conducive to the automobile line of profession, many of the MBA program alumni at Pforzheim took a totally different career path post graduation. As a current student enrolled in the program, I can definitely attest to this. Many of these alumni now work at attractive employers in consulting
(e.g. EY, KPMG etc.), IT industry (SAP, Microsoft), banking or tourist industry and others. Some of them even founded their own start-ups.

Besides a strong alumni network, we also have a new mentor-ship program with which they are trying to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and enable forming the right connections.

Hope this help :) Cheers!

Hi there,

Thanks for the sharing!
From your experience so far, is there any career fair / company visit that is connected with start-ups? And how does the mentorship programme work?

Moreover, would you mind sharing your experience about the admission interview you had previously? Thank you in advance :)

[quote][quote]Hello. While it is definitely true that the area around Pforzheim is more conducive to the automobile line of profession, many of the MBA program alumni at Pforzheim took a totally different career path post graduation. As a current student enrolled in the program, I can definitely attest to this. Many of these alumni now work at attractive employers in consulting
(e.g. EY, KPMG etc.), IT industry (SAP, Microsoft), banking or tourist industry and others. Some of them even founded their own start-ups.

Besides a strong alumni network, we also have a new mentor-ship program with which they are trying to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and enable forming the right connections.

Hope this help :) Cheers![/quote]

Hi there,

Thanks for the sharing!
From your experience so far, is there any career fair / company visit that is connected with start-ups? And how does the mentorship programme work?

Moreover, would you mind sharing your experience about the admission interview you had previously? Thank you in advance :)[/quote]

quote

00578

21 12

Posted Apr 14, 2020 15:04

Yes there is a career fair every semester, it is great to gain visibility. Also, last semester they started a career breakfast concept and we now have a new career/job portal. The career breakfast for me personally was a great way to learn how German networking works and also gain some confidence in conversing in German. Don't worry, you can network in English as well.
The companies visiting range from startups and small sized to medium sized companies. Quite a few big ones too like SAP, Kaercher.
Company visits are great. You get to interact with the HR people, see around the company, talk to people from different departments and see how life at the company day-to-day is. Some cool facility tours too :)

The mentorship program has been running since last August and so far seems to be a success from what I hear from my seniors who participated. The MBA office finds out about you career goals and interests and pairs you up with a mentor. Introductions are made via email and then you take it from there. The program lasts for a year. The mentors are alumni who have been in the industry for at least 2 years post graduation. Their tasks include sharing knowledge, giving general and career advice and support and opening doors for the mentee.

About the admission interview, I was asked about my resume, presented with some regular academic life situations and my possible responses to those were assessed. Was also asked about my careers goals and life ambitions and last but not the least, financial planning to fund the MBA. I wouldn't stress about the interview part at all!

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Ankit Niga...

27 4

Posted Apr 20, 2020 19:53

Hi, I've gotten an interview call for the ESB Reutlingen MBA FT course. It is scheduled on April 28.

[Edited by Ankit Nigam1 on Apr 20, 2020]

Hi, I've gotten an interview call for the ESB Reutlingen MBA FT course. It is scheduled on April 28.

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jmailreg

4 8

Posted Apr 24, 2020 20:39

Yes there is a career fair every semester, it is great to gain visibility. Also, last semester they started a career breakfast concept and we now have a new career/job portal. The career breakfast for me personally was a great way to learn how German networking works and also gain some confidence in conversing in German. Don't worry, you can network in English as well.
The companies visiting range from startups and small sized to medium sized companies. Quite a few big ones too like SAP, Kaercher.
Company visits are great. You get to interact with the HR people, see around the company, talk to people from different departments and see how life at the company day-to-day is. Some cool facility tours too :)

The mentorship program has been running since last August and so far seems to be a success from what I hear from my seniors who participated. The MBA office finds out about you career goals and interests and pairs you up with a mentor. Introductions are made via email and then you take it from there. The program lasts for a year. The mentors are alumni who have been in the industry for at least 2 years post graduation. Their tasks include sharing knowledge, giving general and career advice and support and opening doors for the mentee.

About the admission interview, I was asked about my resume, presented with some regular academic life situations and my possible responses to those were assessed. Was also asked about my careers goals and life ambitions and last but not the least, financial planning to fund the MBA. I wouldn't stress about the interview part at all!

Thank you so much. I had the interview today, and it went well. Hopefully I'll hear from them next week.

What you described about the company visits and mentorship programme sounds great. How do you feel about the German courses that the school provides?

[quote]Yes there is a career fair every semester, it is great to gain visibility. Also, last semester they started a career breakfast concept and we now have a new career/job portal. The career breakfast for me personally was a great way to learn how German networking works and also gain some confidence in conversing in German. Don't worry, you can network in English as well.
The companies visiting range from startups and small sized to medium sized companies. Quite a few big ones too like SAP, Kaercher.
Company visits are great. You get to interact with the HR people, see around the company, talk to people from different departments and see how life at the company day-to-day is. Some cool facility tours too :)

The mentorship program has been running since last August and so far seems to be a success from what I hear from my seniors who participated. The MBA office finds out about you career goals and interests and pairs you up with a mentor. Introductions are made via email and then you take it from there. The program lasts for a year. The mentors are alumni who have been in the industry for at least 2 years post graduation. Their tasks include sharing knowledge, giving general and career advice and support and opening doors for the mentee.

About the admission interview, I was asked about my resume, presented with some regular academic life situations and my possible responses to those were assessed. Was also asked about my careers goals and life ambitions and last but not the least, financial planning to fund the MBA. I wouldn't stress about the interview part at all! [/quote]

Thank you so much. I had the interview today, and it went well. Hopefully I'll hear from them next week.

What you described about the company visits and mentorship programme sounds great. How do you feel about the German courses that the school provides?

quote

00578

21 12

Posted Apr 29, 2020 13:32

Heyo! Glad to hear it went well. All the best

About German classes, they are included in the course. You have some 3 odd hours of German class per week. To be honest, it is really what you make of it. The lower levels are taught in English but I think B1 onwards is taught in German, which is great in my opinion. You take a placement test at the beginning of the semester and they put you in a certain level based on your performance. If you have valid language certifications, you will be exempt from taking the test and directly placed in the next level.
Last but not the least, language learning can't stop at just these classes. You get ample opportunities to practice your German on campus. With the MBA team, Professors, classmates and fellow university students. Also, during networking events. You just got to be pro-active about it

It would be awesome if you came with some prior knowledge since a lead is very helpful. I came with a B1 and now i'm taking B2 after having cleared B1+.

Cheers!

Heyo! Glad to hear it went well. All the best:grinning:<div><br></div><div>About German classes, they are included in the course. You have some 3 odd hours of German class per week. To be honest, it is really what you make of it.  The lower levels are taught in English but I think B1 onwards is taught in German, which is great in my opinion. You take a placement test at the beginning of the semester and they put you in a certain level based on your performance. If you have valid language certifications, you will be exempt from taking the test and directly placed in the next level.</div><div><br></div><div>Last but not the least, language learning can't stop at just these classes. You get ample opportunities to practice your German on campus. With the MBA team, Professors, classmates and fellow university students. Also, during networking events. You just got to be pro-active about it :wink:<br><br>It would be awesome if you came with some prior knowledge since a lead is very helpful. I came with a B1 and now i'm taking B2 after having cleared B1+.<br><br>Cheers! :grinning:</div>

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Ankit Niga...

36 2

Posted Apr 29, 2020 18:21

Hi, I've gotten an interview call for the ESB Reutlingen MBA FT course. It is scheduled on April 28.

[Edited by Ankit Nigam on Apr 29, 2020]

[quote]Hi, I've gotten an interview call for the ESB Reutlingen MBA FT course. It is scheduled on April 28. [/quote]

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Ankit Niga...

27 4

Posted May 06, 2020 17:24

I've been accepted to the MBA FT course at ESB Reutlingen starting in Sep 2020. Anybody else have an update about the result?

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jmailreg

4 8

Posted May 07, 2020 04:11

I've been accepted to the MBA FT course at ESB Reutlingen starting in Sep 2020. Anybody else have an update about the result?

Congrats :DI'm admitted to both HHL & Pforzheim. Did you apply for another programme?

[quote]I've been accepted to the MBA FT course at ESB Reutlingen starting in Sep 2020. Anybody else have an update about the result? [/quote]<div><br></div><div>Congrats :D</div><div>I'm admitted to both HHL & Pforzheim. Did you apply for another programme?</div>

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Ankit Niga...

27 4

Posted May 26, 2020 16:00

Does anyone have an update on the start of ESB Reutlingen's MBA FT programme in 2020? Will it get postponed or will it be online in the beginning?

[Edited by Ankit Nigam1 on May 26, 2020]

Does anyone have an update on the start of ESB Reutlingen's MBA FT programme in 2020? Will it get postponed or will it be online in the beginning?

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