Though Austria offers multiple MBA programs, I wanted to stay close to IT. Since TU Wien is a "brand name" in IT education, I did a deeper research on possibilities of further education, and this one seemed ideal. Other options were either a general MBA, that would bring less benefits to my career as an IT manager or specialized MBA studies, for example automotive industry, that is not connected to my industries, which at this moment include mostly finance and insurance areas. 

I wanted MBA studies that will give me more than formal managerial knowledge but additionally a curated list of students and professors that will know challenges in today's and tomorrow's IT industry. Since TU Wien is primarily a leading IT university, my assumption on application was that I will get specific insights that will shape me for challenges of IT industry, which, at this moment, relate to new ways of working, engineers personal development and change in company's structure in a world that is connected, but with significantly changing role of management. After the first course, I was not disappointed.

There are three expectations - knowledge, networking and a prestigious degree, all three equally important in years to come. Since my career path lies in management, I would like to present myself as a person that invests in continuous education and cherishes knowledge that can be gained both in books and in real-world experience of MBA participants. With this program I hope to gain all of this.

Main message I would send is that management is a game with many faces, and if you are doing it for money or prestige without knowing how to do it, you will be like the person from the beginning of my story - somebody that has a role but is not capable of managing people and, consequently, bring projects to successful conclusion. Like everything else in life, you have to have a piece of talent but invest a lot of hours and prepare to fail on multiple levels. But if you get great at it, and create efficient and productive teams, there are very few things that can give you better work satisfaction.

You need to set clear lines, especially in times of hybrid work when this line is more blurred. Sometimes you have to work more, but when you don't focus on other, sometimes more important things. If you are judged only by the hours you put in, then reconsider how and where you work. There is no disconnect between education and career - if you are in IT and you do not deeply understand this, you will not last long on the market. And when work/education are done, they are done - it is time to focus on private life. Balance is everything.