Melanie Schmidhuber

As part of the “Alumni.Erzählen.” initiative, Melanie Schmidhuber 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 decided to pursue a distance learning program—specifically, the FERNFH—because …
… I think the combination of fixed and flexible requirements is brilliant. I see it as a huge advantage of the FERNFH that, after the kick-off event, you have the freedom to structure your study time as you wish, yet there are still fixed deadlines. By studying here, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream within the minimum study period while working full-time.

I’m pursuing these career goals through my studies…
… I work as a supervisor at a plasma center. In my second year of studies, I took advantage of the part-time study option, which allowed me to balance work and school while still making time for my family and hobbies. My daughter was taking her Matura exams during that time, so we were able to encourage each other during exam periods. I was lucky to have started my studies in 2019 (before COVID), so we students were able to get to know each other in person. With my study group, the Süd-West-Stars, I’ve made new friends who I hope will be friends for life. We’ve made a plan to meet at least once a year in WN at “our” Hotel Zentral.

Looking back, the biggest challenge I faced during my distance learning program was…
… the application. I had already applied in 2014 but withdrew my application because I felt that, at 36 years old, I was already far too old and far too out of touch with learning. I was also afraid of being rejected. A friend who was seriously ill urged me to make the most of life and apply again. Because without applying, I’d never know if I might actually be able to do it. And sure enough, I was accepted, and now, in 2022, at age 44, I’ve graduated and fulfilled my dream. 

A memorable experience from my distance learning program…
… Studying together for the AMS1 exam at Hotel Zentral and eating pizza at Vabene after the exams. 

These are the career goals I'm currently pursuing…
…I'm enjoying the new freedom to make my own decisions. I gained this freedom through my studies. 

These insights from my studies have stayed with me to this day …
… My studies provided many psychological insights that make situations in the workplace easier to understand—such as resistance to change—which in turn makes it easier to handle emotional situations.  Secondly, I particularly benefited from being constantly challenged to work with different computer programs, which allowed me to significantly improve my Office skills. Third, my business management knowledge is just as helpful to me as the many soft skills we learned. 

I’m particularly passionate about these topics…
… The topic of my bachelor’s thesis: menstruation in the workplace. I now see it as my personal mission to implement measures that make workplaces more menstruation-friendly. This issue is ignored in almost all workplaces, yet workplaces must be adapted to the needs of employees. This includes the possibility of flexibility and an open approach—no woman should have to worry about not being able to take care of herself. The survey in my bachelor’s thesis shows that the fear of “bleeding through” is one of the most uncomfortable situations—and thus one of the greatest fears—which could be easily avoided by making menstrual products available just as readily as toilet paper. 

This is where I particularly benefit from the program…
…getting to know new people from completely different walks of life. People from a wide variety of industries and with very different personal circumstances took part in this program. I thought it was wonderful that this program served as the common ground that brought these amazing people together. Another aspect I found particularly interesting was the academic work—the fact that even for a single question that at first glance seems to have a “yes” or “no” answer, there are usually no absolute answers, and it’s precisely the spectrum in between that makes it so fascinating. 

These skills and abilities are becoming increasingly important in my profession/industry …
… the ability to adapt to constantly changing situations. 

My tips for preparing for the admissions process at FERNFH(admissions test, admissions interview): …
…Apply! Study the lecture notes provided thoroughly. Let the rest take its course. 

In my opinion, these are the qualities you need to successfully complete a distance learning program: …
…With a keen interest in the material, enough motivation, and friends who remind you every now and then about the next deadline, distance learning can work out just fine. 

My tips for first-year students and anyone interested in a FERNFH degree program …
… don’t underestimate the time commitment; 25–20 hours per week for your studies is a realistic estimate. Definitely do it—in my opinion, there’s no other degree program that’s so universally beneficial. 

I'd like to add one more thing: …
…those three years flew by; many thanks to all the professors and fellow students who made this time so meaningful