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Daniel Stocker
…provides insights into life at FERNFH, explains how what students learn is put into practice, and discusses what the program means for their own careers.
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Daniel Stocker, MAHead of Quality Management/Regulatory Affairs/Marketing
Daniel Stocker shares insights into his time as a distance-learning student at FERNFH and explains how he applies the knowledge he gained to his professional practice.
Your Distance Learning Program
I decided to pursue a distance learning program—specifically at FERNFH—because…
…the innovative learning methods at FERNFH allow everyone to combine professional, personal, and academic growth. At the same time, the interdisciplinary curriculum is simply ideal for people who have already gained some professional experience.
My personal situation while I was in school…
…was marked by long work hours in Asia, a 6-day workweek abroad, regular travel, changes in employers, and moves. Despite all that, I was able to manage my studies just fine.
Looking back, the biggest challenge I faced while studying remotely was…
…finding the motivation to complete my bachelor’s and master’s theses.
One experience/highlight from my time as a student that I fondly remember …
… was definitely the camaraderie among the students, even during the periods when classes were held online.
What were your favorite courses, and why?
Business Psychology & Behavioral Economics. These and many other courses are distinguished by their practical focus, which I was able to put to good use in my professional life. They also help you better understand your own experiences and behavior as a consumer in a modern, digital economy.
Your Career & Interests
These insights from my studies continue to guide me in my job to this day…
Especially when it comes to how people make decisions—whether in purchasing behavior or in leadership—and what kinds of fallacies we ourselves are prone to.
These are the topics I’m passionate about: …
The phenomenon of supply and demand for everyday goods. The COVID era has significantly fueled demand for some products, while it has cooled for others. Now the tables are turning in some cases, and I believe these are exciting times for economic experts and everyone else involved in the consumer goods industry.
These skills and abilities are becoming increasingly important in my profession/industry …
It’s clear—the combination of scientific and business knowledge. Anyone who isn’t afraid of basic statistics or SI units and also has an understanding of business law and marketing can very quickly find lucrative niches in the job market.
Your Tips
My tips for first-year students and anyone interested in a degree program or course at FERNFH:
Don’t pass up the opportunity to work in groups. For some assignments, larger groups might be a bit less efficient, but overall, a good group helps spread the workload of your studies significantly. No one always has time, and no one knows everything, but a good group finds the time and skills to tackle all the challenges of college together.
In my opinion, these are the qualities needed to successfully complete a distance learning program: …
The most important quality is the ability to engage with a topic on your own at first. Questions that arise are answered very well by the faculty in the forums, but you can’t outsource the initial, cognitive processing of the material. Distance learners also need to occasionally open a book on an unfamiliar topic and just start reading, even if the book seems intimidating at first. Ultimately, you have to work through it, identify any remaining questions, and then seek clarification from classmates or instructors. Surprisingly, you become very efficient at this skill after two or three semesters.
My favorite quote:
Nothing in life is as important as you think it is when you're thinking about it – Daniel Kahneman
I'd like to add one more thing…
If you've decided to start a part-time degree program, know that in 7 to 10 years, you'll look back on all the things that used to deter you from studying and laugh at them—and maybe even miss them.