Exchange of experience in the mentoring programme

Christoph Rabenseifner, a student on the Bachelor's degree programme in International Business Relations, was "matched" with Christian Gabriel, one of the first graduates of this (then still diploma) programme. The two have been in regular contact for around a year. This is inspiring for both sides, as they confirm.

By this he means an international management career with a regional focus on Eastern Europe and beyond. This specialisation in Central and Eastern Europe is one of the USPs of his degree course. He chose Russian as his language of study.

His mentor Christian Gabriel is a very successful professional manager, but also a graduate of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences who has endeavoured to maintain contact with his alma mater for many years. Gabriel has been professionally anchored in the CIS area since graduating. This refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, to which most of the successor states of the Soviet Union belong. His professional journey has taken him from Unger Stahlbau to Exyte and now ZETA. What motivated the top manager to become a mentor?

For Christoph Rabenseifner, the exchange with his mentor is a great benefit. He has been interested in Eastern Europe since his youth. He found his way onto the part-time degree programme at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences around his 30th birthday and has big plans for the next few years. "I definitely have a plan for where I want to go in the next five years. Of course, my first priority is to complete my degree, but the mentorship also gives me the opportunity to discuss my career decisions with my mentor. He has experienced a lot himself over the years and can give me very valuable input."

The two have met in person twice in the last year. However, the majority of communication takes place digitally. At each meeting, the student receives "homework" from his mentor, the level of fulfilment of which is discussed at the next meeting. "Of course, it's not hand-in-hand support," the two emphasise and Christian Gabriel explains: "I try to help where I can. I've already been to some of the places where Christoph wants to go. That's why I can well imagine how things can develop. I know the forces behind it. That's often important to understand the big picture."

What Christoph finds fascinating about an international career is quickly explained: "On the one hand, the unknown has a strong appeal. Secondly, I'm fascinated by immersing myself in other cultures and the fact that no two days are the same."

Christian Gabriel can only confirm this. The political situation in recent years in particular has made day-to-day work much more difficult for managers working in the CIS region. "There have been countless Black Swan events in the last 2 ½ years. You don't learn how to deal with them at university. It's continuous crisis management. It can feel interesting and dynamic, but it's also very energy-sapping." He also passes this experience on to his mentee.