Dominic Moeris, Engineering Management
After completing my schooling, I initially focussed on my work experience and started with vocational training as a mechatronics engineer. However, even during this time in the company, I was already missing economic aspects in my educational path. I realised that a purely technical career path did not meet my expectations and so I started looking for a degree course that would include both a technical and a business perspective. After attending the university information day at the university of applied sciences, I chose the degree programme in industrial engineering. The course content not only includes technical modules from the field of mechanical engineering, but also focuses on business administration. Due to the proximity of my place of residence and Aachen's good reputation as a university city, no other cities or universities were an option for me. The decision in favour of the university of applied sciences itself was ultimately made due to the high practical relevance, which was to be conveyed in the form of practical trainings.
The introduction to studying at the university is well organised. Many organisational issues are clarified during Freshers' Week and it is easy to make good contacts with fellow students. Especially in the basic subjects at the beginning of the degree programme, students are strongly supported and the UAS offers a wide range of exercises, tutorials and practical trainings to deepen the learning content. The practical trainings in particular offer a good opportunity to convey learning content in a practical way.
After completing the foundation degree, you have the option of continuing on the "normal" path or choosing the areas of specialisation in sales engineering. Due to my affinity for sales, I decided to specialise as a sales engineer. The modules "Sales Management" and the sales project in particular provide practice-orientated insights into sales. However, the specialisation limits the range of elective modules, as some of the modules that have to be taken are already specified.
I completed my Bachelor's degree with a final thesis at Auburn University in the USA. In addition to the options offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, industrial engineers also have the opportunity to complete a semester abroad through the Faculty of Business Studies. This offers a wide variety of universities. My personal experience is that anyone who wants to study abroad will find a suitable place. Be it for a semester abroad, practical training abroad or a final thesis.
Basically, I consider the Bachelor's degree programme at the university of applied sciences to be challenging. However, with a good study group and the many programmes offered by the professors, it is easy to manage. If you have any questions, it is definitely worth contacting the relevant professor to clarify any uncertainties.
After completing my Bachelor's degree after seven semesters, it was clear to me that I would continue with the Master's degree programme due to its short duration. With the Master's programme at the University of Applied Sciences, you have the opportunity to obtain an additional academic degree within 1.5 years, whereby half a year can even be spent working in the company as part of the final thesis. For bachelor's degree graduates from the university of applied sciences, the postgraduate Master's degree programme is highly recommended. From my own experience, I can say that the time passes quickly and you have the opportunity to obtain your Master's degree within 1.5 years. For graduates from other universities, it is definitely worth getting in touch with the UAS before starting the Master's degree programme, as it may be necessary to catch up on modules from the Bachelor's degree in order to achieve 210 credits.
The course content of the Master's degree programme is not very specific. The selection of elective modules is limited, of course also due to the brevity of the degree programme. Nevertheless, you have the opportunity to deepen the content of the Bachelor's degree programme. The focus of the Master's degree programme is clearly on personnel management. Some modules aim to teach students the tools for managing teams, sections or companies. No practical trainings are offered on the Master's programme. Nevertheless, many modules are practice-orientated and with the help of business games and project work, students gain interesting insights into the practice of companies.
After completing my Master's degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Applied Sciences, I look back fondly on my time at the university. The content of the degree programme offers both technical and business insights and there are many career opportunities in both areas after graduation. With the aim of pursuing my interests after graduation, I successfully applied for a job as a sales engineer at a plant manufacturer for the automotive industry. In my job, my degree helps me to deal with customers on the one hand and to understand the technical context of the enclosures and the customer's problems on the other. Particularly in the area of after sales, conversion projects are planned and implemented together with the customer.
Looking back, I am glad to have studied industrial engineering at FH Aachen. The practice-orientated knowledge from both areas prepares you well for professional life and opens many doors for your future career.