Dual Study Program Business Administration Service Management - Consulting & Sales

Hi, I'm Linus and I'm in my 3rd semester of business administration service management with a focus on consulting and sales.

The idea to study dual came to me during my apprenticeship and after some research it was clear that the concept convinced me. The 3-month rhythm between the theoretical and practical phases allows me to acquire theoretical basics and specializations and to bring them into the company, as well as to gain experience that no textbook can give you.
Since I am interested in people and enjoy communicating with different types of people, it was clear to me that I would find a sales-oriented degree program interesting, in which I would specialize in consulting, sales and customer service. That's why I was particularly attracted to the Business Administration - Service Management Consulting & Sales program. Here you deal with the following topics, for example: How do I win more customers? How do I respond to complaints? Which service is well received? How do I look after customers?

In my search for a suitable partner in the region, Testo Industrial Services GmbH caught my eye. Based on testimonials and a short internet search, I was quickly convinced that Testo Industrial Services was a suitable training company for me.

After my application, I was invited to an interview, where I felt very comfortable because I had the feeling that I was being treated as an equal. Shortly afterwards, I was invited to a trial work day, where I was able to gain an insight into the company and clarify my open questions. This strengthened my conviction that I had applied to the right company.

Even before the official start on 1 September, I was invited by the other business students to a joint barbecue evening. I had the feeling that it wasn't work colleagues sitting together here, but friends. Shortly afterwards, the introductory week began, during which the company was presented in a relaxed atmosphere and the knowledge necessary for starting at Testo Industrial Services was provided. Here, we new trainees and students could get to know each other better. 

After the introductory week, I started directly into my first theory block at the DHBW Heilbronn. Since the distance between Kirchzarten and Heilbronn is somewhat greater, I had to change my place of residence, which was not a problem. There are plenty of flats in Heilbronn, and I found a room in a student hall of residence quickly because I took care of it in good time. I was pleasantly surprised by the city of Heilbronn. The educational campus, where the lectures take place and the library is also located, is very modern and very well equipped. The city centre is right next to the Bundesgartenschau grounds (parks and recreation) and offers nice places to chill out. The city also offers a very varied club and bar scene for the evening or night-time programme. Since the DHBW Heilbronn, the Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences and the TU Munich have a location in Heilbronn, many young people live in the city, which makes it lively. 

The course size at the DHBW is 25 people. This means that you are usually directly involved in the lecture, which makes it easy to follow.  The practical relevance of the lecturers gives you an insight into their own experiences or real case studies. The courses are structured like school classes, which means that you quickly grow close to your fellow students. This phenomenon was confirmed in the second and third theory semesters.  The degree programme is demanding and challenging, and depending on the type of student, the amount of learning required may increase by quite a bit, in contrast to the A-levels or apprenticeships. But it's worth it! 

The three-month theory semester is followed by the three-month practical part of the degree programme.  
In the first practical phase, I was allowed to get a taste of the marketing department and learn a lot here. I was immediately welcomed and supported with open arms. The entire marketing team was always friendly and helpful whenever I had a question. 
In my second practical phase, a lot of my work revolved around my first project. I wrote it about the subsidiary in Switzerland. To get a better impression of the workflows and processes, I was allowed to visit the location in Switzerland for a fortnight. Here, too, I received a very friendly welcome and was supported with any questions or obstacles. 

The trainee projects, which take place alongside the daily work, give you the chance to take on a bit of responsibility yourself and to get to know your colleagues. The regular meetings and working together with the other trainees and students is always a lot of fun and a great change from the daily work routine. 

Be sure, Be passionate, Be together, Be yourself is the company slogan and you really have the feeling of being part of something. The work is exciting because you feel like you are doing something meaningful and contribute to the success of the company right from the start. In general, I can always turn to my training instructor or to students from a higher semester if I have problems or questions, both during the practical and the theoretical phases. I am in my second year of study and have met many great and inspiring people in that time. If I could choose once more now, I would do everything the same way again.