“From Academia to Industry: Prominent Alumnus Bernhard Schnederle’s Journey and Advice for Career Success”

In this interview, we catch up with our College of Management alumnus Mr Bernhard Schnederle, whose achievements and success in the professional world make for a great example and motivational story for our present and future students. During our talk, Bernhard shares valuable insights into the job search process, common CV mistakes, and the challenges faced when moving from academic life into a corporate environment.

After graduating from NSYSU, Bernhard’s professional journey has been full of achieving milestones, learning experiences and growth. Now working as a Global Commercial Projects Manager responsible for EPC Water Treatment Projects at STRABAG, Austria’s largest construction company, his responsibilities include not only identifying and developing new projects but also ensuring everything is going smoothly and coordinating with government entities. Occasionally, he also takes over the role of local on-site project manager, which comes with its own set of duties, which he also enjoys executing. 

When talking more in detail about Bernhard’s career path, we learn that he landed his very first job one week after handing in his thesis, taking over the role of Head of Business Development at a small company at the time. This achievement so early on in the beginning of his professional life, then prompts the topic of job interviews. We asked Bernhard about interactions with recruiters, he first recommends job seekers to ask questions, as many as they can and need to, because job descriptions are often vague and doing research is sometimes not enough. Only after having a strong clarity regarding the position, can one have a good feeling and make the right decision. He further gives examples such as: Why is the position being advertised?; Are you looking to grow?; What is your turnover rate?; etc. 

He also emphasizes the importance of asking about the product’s USP, and how the company distinguishes itself from others, highlighting that a more concrete answer is to be expected because it genuinely proves the company’s strengths, accountability, and competitive advantage. Additionally, Bernhard mentions the notion of loyalty, meaning that depending on the circumstances, if one has found a job where one can learn progressively and grow, despite some downs or limitations, one should first observe their progress and then carefully consider moving on to find a new job or not. According to him, a couple of years spent at one company can provide stability and growth not only for the employee’s career and development but also for the company’s. Nevertheless, it is important to keep all factors in consideration when making decisions related to one’s career development. 

The conversation then shifts to another aspect of obtaining job interviews, which is constructing a resume and common mistakes one makes when writing one. Bernhard again points out that considering the industry and company is important. He further notes that one should not reuse cover letter samples, keep the resume itself concise at one or two pages, or use a checklist system by indirectly or contextually referring to keywords or requirements. He further states that listing achievements is crucial, saying exactly what one did and why. While hobbies may provide more regarding one’s background, concrete achievements are more important to employees and recruiters. Another recommendation is using tools that may help in improving the structure or aesthetic of one’s resume, such as Canva, LinkedIn, CV Builder, and so on. Bernhard concludes that during the interview job seekers should pay attention to whether recruiters ask questions about you or the company, highlighting that research should be conducted by both parties. 

Another important topic we consider when looking for a job is the job market, which differs from country to country and comes with its own set of values and dynamics. Regarding Austria, Bernhard states that competitiveness is growing and companies are downscaling. Considering many of the factors affecting the European market, he points out that there is indeed a shift in the economy and those who do not innovate, struggle and consecutively have to leave the race. The government is making an effort in helping and easing the process and while inflation is making things challenging globally, nevertheless bright minds, intelligent and motivated people are always welcome. He puts emphasis again on the importance of finding the right company with a good USP. Furthermore, he highlights finding your own niche to be crucial. While moving to another country is not easy, one should consider the benefits of that country’s work culture and how it affects one’s career, income and work-life balance. 

Lastly, we talked about the topic of transitioning from an academic environment to a professional setting, which can be daunting for many. Bernhard states that the biggest differences between the two worlds include stakeholders and time pressure. He explains: “One of the key differences is the speed and scope of decision-making in the workplace. In academia, decisions often take a long time, whereas in the business world, things move quickly, and you’re required to adapt fast.” Some occasionally underestimate the seriousness of time pressure, because not completing one’s tasks on time can have serious effects on one’s career and life. Adding stakeholders, such as one’s boss, colleagues, investors and outsiders into that dynamic, it is all interconnected, which is why consistency and discipline are crucial. New beginnings are hard, especially when one has to apply a framework into the job context and competitiveness becomes more intense in a realistic project, which is why Bernhard further emphasizes newcomers in a company or work setting to learn as quickly as possible regarding present and future projects. Keeping an objective outlook on the competition and environment is essential, which is why one should therefore continuously strive to improve and find out how things work in a company or the industry itself. Working on one’s soft skills, being outgoing and showing interest in what one’s company or colleagues do can be of great help to achieving faster results. “Be active, be engaging, know why things are done the way they are done”, is his advice. Understanding the company and one’s work environment can be beneficial for both the employees and the higher entities that make sure all aspects of a business align. 

Reflecting on his own journey, Bernhard encourages students and graduates to embrace change and trust the process. The transition from academia to the professional world can be tough, but also incredibly rewarding, so one should stay patient, open to new opportunities, and, most importantly, believe in one’s abilities. Through his insights, we received a valuable perspective for when the moment comes to navigate the sometimes tricky road from academia into a fulfilling professional career. We thank Bernhard for attending our interview, wish him further success and fulfillment, and end this article with one last quote from him which we hope will stick with all our readers: “At the end of the day, it will be different from what you expected, so make the best out of it!’.