Dominik

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
Coming from a more general bachelor's degree in business administration, I was looking for a collaborative and creative environment to dive deeper into innovation management. In addition, developing business concepts has always fascinated me. The more case-based approach of CBS combined with the inspiring course descriptions of OIE felt like the perfect combination to learn more about both innovation management and entrepreneurship and apply it directly to real-life scenarios. Doing all of this abroad felt like a must-have experience.

What do I like the best?
For me, the best part of OIE is the people in the class, the network that surrounds it and the opportunities that arise from it. The opportunity to discuss real cases with a class full of proactive, open and creative individuals makes OIE the right master’s programme for me. I really enjoy hearing diverse viewpoints in class and collectively discussing a suitable solution for the case at hand. Moreover, I like that OIE exams are a mixture of written sit-ins, individual and group projects as well as oral exams.  

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?
Personally, I think OIE is what you make of it. A lot of the courses are more practical in nature, resulting in either group projects or a focus on applying theory to cases. In my undergraduate studies, I was much more focused on reproducing what I had learned for my exams. Instead, most of the time at OIE, I have to come up with my own tailored solutions to a given situation or case where there is no one answer. Being comfortable to discuss alternative approaches in a group setting is definitely a benefit when studying OIE.

What are the biggest challenges in my programme?
For me, the biggest challenge of the master’s is to take responsibility for the freedom I have been given. OIE gives you the opportunity to explore so many different directions. In terms of your life after graduation, it is a big challenge to identify what you really want and derive the right steps towards your goals. To be more concrete: when you are given the opportunity to work on your own start-up idea, you can see it as an exercise, or you can try to make it as realistic as possible to get the best learning out of it.

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
I thought OIE would focus more on innovation management. But innovation only occurs through successful implementation of good ideas in businesses. This naturally leads to the tendency that OIE is more focused on entrepreneurship. The programme teaches you how to successfully turn your ideas into desirable and feasible business models, and puts less emphasis on the viability part of it. OIE focuses more on qualitative discussions about entrepreneurship.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
I would never exclude the prospect of starting my own business and pursuing my own idea. For that to happen, there has to be a good fit between the idea and my skills and aspirations. That is why I currently see myself as an innovation consultant, service designer or workshop facilitator, helping other organisations to tackle their business challenges in a creative and collaborative way. I want to use my creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and empathy to design the solutions of tomorrow.

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…

• EXPLORE all exciting opportunities CBS and OIE have to offers (clubs, electives, exchange, CSE ...).
• ENJOY the social spirit of the courses and classes (create a culture, enjoy each other’s company and get inspired by a wide range of creative people).
• EXPERIENCE how it feels to be an entrepreneur (personally and professional).
• Have fun and stay true to yourself, but don't be afraid to try out different versions of yourself.