Marion Thiel-Hitmann

As part of the “Alumni.Erzählen.” initiative, Marion Thiel-Hitmann shares insights into her time as a distance-learning student at FERNFH and explains how she applies the knowledge she gained to her professional practice.

I'd just like to add this …
I'm glad I had the opportunity to further my education at Ferdinand Porsche FernFH—looking back, it was a wonderful time!

I decided to pursue a distance learning program—specifically, the FERNFH—because …
… I was looking for a program that was very flexible in terms of time and location, while also aligning with my professional profile. It was also important to me that the degree programs are accredited—this guarantees a consistently high quality of education. This was confirmed by the university’s first-place finish in the 2019 Austrian University of Applied Sciences ranking! 

My personal situation during my studies … (job, family, free time, etc.)
… I worked full-time during both my bachelor’s and master’s programs. To make matters more difficult, my work schedule spanned Monday through Sunday (including holidays and nights). What made things easier was that I was able to organize my work hours freely within certain parameters.
In my personal life, I am married and have no children. It was especially helpful that my husband had also completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Ferdinand Porsche FernFH, so he was very understanding of my situation and actively supported me.

Looking back, the biggest challenge for me during my distance learning program was …
… The biggest challenge was actually stepping out of my comfort zone and believing in myself—that is, overcoming my hesitation about enrolling. Attending the informational session beforehand made a positive difference in my life. The challenge during the program was to stay curious and engage with subjects that were, in some cases, completely new to me. 

One experience from my time as a student that I fondly remember…
… The camaraderie with my fellow students and the sense of unity within our study group. I found the organization of the courses particularly positive. The program administration was always flexible and made every effort to provide students with the best possible conditions. 

Here’s how distance learning has influenced my career/my professional situation …
… In my case, completing my degree helped solidify my current position and provided a solid foundation for my professional expertise. 

This is what I benefited from most through the distance learning program:
In summary, I can say that I have learned to communicate and argue in a scholarly and fact-based manner—this makes it easier for me to achieve my goals. 

These skills and abilities are becoming increasingly important in my profession/industry …
… I think that economic factors are playing an increasingly important role, especially in nonprofit organizations. A well-balanced combination of empathy and creativity will be helpful in solving problems. 

This is how I see my professional future:
I plan to remain with the company and hope that, through my work, I can help actively shape work processes while also continuing to optimize the quality of our work in the interest of patient care. 

My tips for first-year students and anyone interested in a degree program or course at FernFH:

• Good time management
• Have fun and stay curious
• Make friends—we're stronger together.