Go to JKU Homepage
What do our graduates say about the study of economics at JKU?
„My assessment of the economics department at JKU today is the same as it was 10 years ago: the training is at an extremely high level, very practice-oriented and is certainly beaten below its value. I would hardly have received such a good economic education elsewhere in Austria. Why am I so sure? Because I was allowed to make a comparison in the course of further training abroad. I owe it to the teachers of the department and the knowledge I gained in international economics and econometrics that I was able to count myself among the best in the academic year in Canada and England, and to obtain an internship at the World Bank.“
George Wallner (M.Sc.) is senior manager (strategy and group development) at the Austrian Post AG and has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Business and Economics (WiWi). He also obtained a master's degree in Economics & International Economics from the University of Nottingham.
©George Wallner
„I really enjoyed studying economics at JKU because the degree program was quite adaptable to individual interests. In doing so, I acquired comprehensive economics qualifications, including both managerial skills and knowledge of practice-relevant economic issues. In addition, my strategic thinking and the ability to think outside the box were trained which opened up many different career opportunities for me.“
Hannah Hebesberger (M.Sc.) is asset accountant at BRP-Rotax and has graduated from JKU with a bachelor's degree in Business and Economics (WiWi) and a master's degree in Manangement and Applied Economics.
©Hannah Hebesberger
„The department of economics offers an applied economics education, in which students are involved in the research work at an early stage. The focus on empirical economic research has prepared me well for my doctoral studies and my subsequent academic work.“
Bernhard Ganglmair (Dr.) is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. Starting in January 2019 he will be head of the junior research group Competition and Regulation at the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. He has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Business and Economics (WiWi) and obtained a doctoral degree in Economics from the University of Zurich.
©Bernhard Ganglmair
„The study of economics at JKU has given me a good basis for my work in economic policy advice and decision-making. It is important for us not only to understand economic relationships, but also to have the theoretical and empirical resources to evaluate the economics literature and prepare it for the political level.“
Christina Burger (Mag. Dr.) is head of the department for economic policy and deputy section chief at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Economics and a doctoral degree in Economics.
©Christina Burger
“In my current professional environment as chief economist at UniCredit Bank Austria, the knowledge from my studies of economics at JKU helps me to have a slightly different view of the economy. I feel this to be a big advantage.”
Stefan Bruckbauer (Mag.) is chief economist at UniCredit Bank Austria and has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Economics.
©Stefan Bruckbauer
„In my studies of economics at JKU, I especially liked the practical relevance of the microeconomic courses which showed me that economics is applied in very different areas. In addition, I liked the possibility of developing research designs and carrying out independent investigations. In my daily professional life, I can successfully apply the acquired skills, such as the ability to interpret, critically evaluate and communicate results of empirical analyses. This opens up a variety of career opportunities in a wide area of occupational fields.“
Jasmin Voigt (Dipl.Inf. Mag. Dr.) ist head of conceptual design at ifa AG - Soravia Real Estate Development ltd. and has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Business and Economics (WiWi) and a doctoral degree in Economics.
©Jasmin Voigt
„My economics studies at JKU offered me a good and sound basis for my scientific work and economic policy advice in my professional life. Above all, the ability to combine theoretical and empirical perspectives and to prepare them for a broad public is an important cornerstone until today! I gained a lot of valuable experience through the early involvement in the department of economics during my studies and the lively exchange with my colleagues. Also, the practical relevance of the study program with various empirical applications has fascinated me and I have great pleasure to share my enthusiasm for economics in teaching students!“
Elisabeth Christen (PhD) is a Researcher at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and a lecturer at the University of Innsbruck and the University of Vienna. She graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Business and Economics (WiWi) and a PhD in Economics.
©Elisabeth Christen
„In the first semester of my studies in the bachelor's program Business and Economics, I did not really know which career path I would take, but soon the courses in economics inspired me and I decided to focus on economics. A few years later I am an intern in the ECB's research department - surrounded by top economists.“
Philipp Hochmuth (M.Sc.) is currently intern at the research department of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt and has graduated from JKU with a bachelor's degree in Business and Economics (WiWi). Afterwards, he has obtained a master's degree in Economics from Stockholm University.
©Philipp Hochmuth
„The courses of the economics department were the highlights of my studies, because they were not only relevant to practice, up-to-date and fascinating in terms of content but also revealed interesting relationships. Consequently, I have chosen an interdisciplinary approach in my diploma thesis to combine economic aspects with social and environmental aspects. The dynamics and motivation of the speakers were always excellent which made it fun to study and work. Last but not least, the institute's excellent networking with public institutions and involvement in politically relevant research is a real asset.“
Andrea Steinmetz (MMag.) ist deputy head of the department for renewable energy, electrical power and distance heating at the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism and has graduated from JKU with a diploma degree in Business and Economics (WiWi) and in Social Economics (SozWi).
©Andrea Steinmetz
„In my economics studies at JKU I acquired the necessary knowledge to understand global economic relationships, especially in the field of banking and finance. Another focus of the degree program was statistics and the handling of data. These skills are very helpful in my current profession.“
Katharina Linsbauer (M.Sc.) works in the risk controlling department of the Raiffeisenlandesbank OÖ and has graduated from JKU with a master's degree in Economics.
©Katharina Linsbauer
