Business economist HF studies: experiences and tips from graduate Patrick Engeler - after graduating, I was able to work my way up to become the managing director of a toy manufacturer and a lecturer in IT at the KV Aarau commercial college

Please tell us something about yourself and your professional career.

My name is Patrick Engeler. I am the Managing Director of Naef Spiele AG. We manufacture wooden toys and trade in toys all over the world. I graduated from the KV Aarau business school with a degree in business administration. I am now also a lecturer in IT there.

Why did you choose the HF Business Administration course?

I found the HF Business Administration course useful as I was looking for a generalist training course. Today, as a managing director, I also work in such a generalist function. In such a role, general management knowledge is required. I was able to acquire this well with the HF Business Administration course.

Why did you choose the KV Aarau business school as your educational institute?

The KV Aarau business school enjoys a very good reputation in my environment. I know several people who have studied at this school. It is also very centrally located in Aarau. At the time, I lived within walking distance of HKV Aarau. I was also impressed by the infrastructure. That's why it quickly became clear to me that I would study Business Administration HF there.

Which subjects from the Business Administration HF course have particularly helped you in your current role in management?

Even today, I can still benefit from various subjects from the Business Administration HF course. Business accounting, controlling and accounting have helped me the most - even if I am a little surprised by this answer. But in a management position, you automatically have to deal with these topics. That's why it's very important to acquire the necessary knowledge in these areas through a business administration HF course. My trustee in particular confronts me with tricky questions from time to time. That's why I think I was able to make the most of these subjects in the long term.

What were the course times like during the business administration training?

We always had school one evening and one afternoon during the HF Business Administration course. That was ideal for me. I was able to continue working at a 90% workload. Of course, it was tough at times, but it worked well. Especially as my employer also supported my decision to do further training.

How did you benefit from the lecturers during your Business Administration HF studies?

We had many lecturers from the field on the Business Administration HF course who were able to impart their knowledge to us very well. Even if the topics were a little more complex and it took us a little longer to understand the connections, by the end we had grasped all the content.

What were the challenges for you during your further training in business administration?

I was confronted with challenges during the Business Administration HF course, particularly last year, as I was experiencing the joys of fatherhood in my private life and also moved house. A lot of things came together. This was a bit stressful, but together as a small family we were able to overcome it.

Has your market value or satisfaction increased as a result of the HF business administration training?

Definitely, yes. I had the opportunity to take on a management role fairly quickly after my training as a business economist HF. In the meantime, I've even been promoted to Managing Director. So the training has certainly increased my market value and also my job satisfaction.

When did you particularly enjoy your lessons?

Whenever the lessons during the Business Administration HF course were practical, I particularly enjoyed them. I was particularly absorbed in my studies when we dealt with something that was familiar to me from my everyday life. I was then able to use my existing knowledge in a targeted way and also develop it further.

Who would you recommend the HF Business Administration course to?

The HF Business Administration course is suitable for anyone who is looking for a generalist training course and can imagine taking on a management position in a small business or SME later on.

How do you feel about the cliché that business administration is boring?

I can't understand this cliché at all. Business administration is very multifaceted and diverse. You can also develop further in specialized areas later on. I may be a business economist HF - but I'm certainly not a bore... (laughs).

What is the biggest advantage that distinguishes a business economist HF?

That's just his generalist knowledge, he can do a lot and has already looked into many topics. He is also very adaptable. The people I got to know during my studies can be deployed in marketing as well as in accounting or other important departments. They can be deployed anywhere. In my opinion, that's the biggest advantage of being a business economist HF.

What do you like best about the KV Aarau business school?

The location of the KV Aarau business school is ideal, as it is very centrally located - even for people traveling by train to study Business Administration HF. The infrastructure is also excellent, with new classrooms and study rooms for group work. In my opinion, the school offers the all-round program that students are looking for.

What is the atmosphere like at the school?

On the whole, the atmosphere at the KV Aarau business school was very relaxed during my Business Administration HF studies. Of course, there were times when things were a little different, for example during the diploma thesis. But that's part of it and quite normal. We always had a good time in the class because everyone was pulling in the same direction. That was also important for me.

Did the HF Business Administration course also help you personally?

In any case, the HF Business Administration course has also helped me personally. It has certainly made me more resilient. I have developed my conceptual skills. I also learned how to get a lot more things done in a day.

Overview of HF Business Administration schools