Bernadette Winetzhammer

Bernadette Winetzhammer shares insights into her experience with distance learning at FERNFH and explains how she applies the knowledge she gained to her professional practice.

My College Years

I decided to pursue a distance learning program—specifically, the FERNFH—because …
… it was the only—and at the same time, the perfect—way to study while working. It’s wonderful how I can balance work, family, and my studies. 

My personal situation during my studies … (job, family, free time, etc.)
… I’m a mom to two wonderful teenagers and the wife of an understanding husband :). Professionally, I’m a quality manager in the pharmaceutical industry, and while I was in school, I worked part-time at times and full-time at others. In my remaining free time, I also completed a training program to become a payroll specialist at WIFI Vienna—which somehow complemented my studies well. Of course, I didn’t get to spend as much time with friends, but it was important to me to still see my closest friends regularly. 

Looking back, the biggest challenge for me during my distance learning program was …
… feeling guilty … toward my family, my friends, the neglected garden, … and my own expectations of myself were also a major factor. 

An experience or highlight from my time as a student that I fondly remember …
… During my bachelor’s program, I fondly recall the moment when we were taught the difference between fluid and crystallized intelligence—that really amused a dear classmate and me in particular. During my master’s program, there were also a few highlights in the form of grades, such as receiving full marks from a highly respected professor along with the feedback that my paper was “straight out of the textbook.” 

What were your favorite courses, and why?
…Although I chose this degree program because of its focus on business administration, over the years it was actually the psychology courses that drew me in more and more. Especially when it comes to diversity in the workplace and employee retention—there’s huge potential here for companies in areas like employee motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, and organizational psychology…

My Career & Interests

These insights from my studies continue to guide me in my job to this day…
… When we listen to employees and address their needs, companies end up with even more motivated employees who stay with the company longer. The biggest takeaway was that even minor adjustments in behavior can have a major impact. 

These are the topics I’m passionate about: …
… How can we achieve a win-win situation for companies and employees? Healthy, motivated employees with as little additional financial burden on the company as possible—in other words, making the most of what we have. I also find diversity (in age, gender, background, etc.) and the benefits of actively embracing diversity to be very, very exciting. 

These skills and abilities are becoming increasingly important in my profession/industry …
… responsibility—although this has always been important in the pharmaceutical industry. Flexibility, lifelong learning, and (personal) professional development. 

My Tips

I'd just like to say this …
… It really has been five amazing years. I've learned so much—including about myself. But the best part of my studies was the wonderful people I met.

My tips for first-year students and anyone interested in a degree program or course at FERNFH:
Don’t be too hard on yourselves 🙂 Just be aware from the start that you’ll have less time for friends—if they’re good friends, they’ll understand. 

In my opinion, these are the qualities you need to successfully complete a distance learning program: …
… a love of learning, a sense of humor—which is always helpful—and perseverance. 

My favorite quote: Standing stillis a step backward.