As part of the “Alumni.Erzählen.” initiative, Nada Orsulic answers a few questions about distance learning, shares insights into her time at FERNFH, and explains how she applies the knowledge she gained to her professional practice.
- Why did you decide to study at the Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH back then?
For many years, I had wanted to round out my previous education with a degree program, and in 2013, the circumstances were finally right for me to make that happen. Thanks to my prior professional experience, I soon had an idea of the career path I wanted to pursue, but it was a coworker who drew my attention to the Business Administration and Business Psychology program. The combination of business and psychology immediately piqued my interest, and the opportunity to pursue the degree while working full-time motivated me to apply for a spot in the program.
- Looking back, what was the biggest challenge you faced while studying remotely?
Looking back, the biggest challenge was balancing all aspects of my life. It was important to me not to be socially isolated by the end of my studies, but rather to find a source of motivation in my personal life as well. However, studying while working full-time also pushed me to my limits; balancing it with my professional life wouldn’t have been possible without my employer’s support. It was also difficult at first not to lose track of my study plan and to develop good time management skills.
- What do you remember most about your time at FERNFH?
My time as a student was, at times, the most valuable period of my life. I met many interesting people and made friends. Although the on-campus sessions were very exam-intensive, the anticipation of fun get-togethers with my classmates quickly made me forget the long nights of studying. Through close collaboration in small groups, we were able to motivate each other and push one another to achieve our best. Since taking this step, my life has changed significantly for the better, and I’ve laid the foundation for my professional career.
- How did the distance learning program at FERNFH impact your career or your current professional situation?
Studying at FERNFH was a kind of socialization process for me; in addition to the new theoretical knowledge I gained, I grew tremendously as a person. This program also opened several doors for me—especially my focus on HR, which helped me gain a foothold in the field and land my dream job.
A particularly important skill in recruiting is understanding candidates and being able to interpret their behavior correctly, and this is where I benefit every day from my education, because my background in psychology enables me to make sound assessments and select suitable candidates for the company. Overall, my job often gives me the opportunity to make connections between theoretical course content and practical applications, ranging from diagnostics to future trends in HR and many other subject areas.
- Which skills or abilities will become more important in your profession or industry in the future?
In my profession, social skills are particularly crucial, because daily interaction with a variety of personalities requires a great deal of empathy and sensitivity. For me, this is also a prerequisite for successfully handling a job like this. In the logistics industry, a willingness to embrace change and an openness to new technologies and developments are especially important. Technological progress is particularly rapid in this field, which is why employees should also be willing to unlearn existing knowledge in order to build new skills, enabling them to work more efficiently and effectively. In my opinion, this means that flexible learning methods will become even more important. Of course, successfully navigating this change is only possible with transparent communication. Effective communication within the company is a crucial factor for success in many areas.
- What three pieces of advice can you offer prospective students as they embark on their journey?
- Every step, no matter how small, counts toward reaching your goal in the end.
- Try to strike a healthy balance between your personal, professional, and academic lives.
- Working with colleagues helps both broaden one's horizons and maintain motivation.
- Is there anything else you'd like to say?
FERNFH offers people with limited financial and time resources an ideal setting for professional and personal development. The organizational guidance and support from the instructors helped me achieve success quickly.