Hello World!

Three years ago, software engineering was completely new territory for Stefan Gass. All he knew was that he was looking for a new career start and that computers had always fascinated him. He enrolled on the then brand new Bachelor's degree programme in Software Engineering and Networked Systems at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. The former food technologist has now completed his studies and found a job as an IT technician at Kultur-Betriebe Burgenland that doesn't feel like work for a single day.

Even as a teenager, Stefan built his own PCs and designed games, but he had no experience with source codes and programming languages before his studies. "When I found out that there was going to be this new degree programme at FH Burgenland, I thought to myself: it's now or never." At the time, Stefan had been working as a quality manager in the food industry for almost seven years. He changed jobs shortly after starting his degree programme. At Kultur-Betriebe Burgenland, he is responsible for software development in the full-stack area, among other things. This means that his area of activity ranges from preparing the servers to developing the frontend and backend (i.e. what the users see and what happens in the background), testing and deployment (i.e. distributing the software to the users).

Stefan found the ideal conditions for his reorientation not only in his job, but also in his studies. "The interpersonal aspects are very much in favour of FH Burgenland," he emphasises. "But the extra-occupational organisation of the course is also great and is second to none," he says, referring to the fortnightly attendance phases on Friday afternoons and Saturdays, which are ideal for combining work and private life.

Stefan is not surprised that the Bachelor's degree programme in Software Engineering and Networked Systems is already enjoying great popularity after just a few years.

The fact that he was a student from the very beginning also had many advantages. "We were the pilot project, so to speak, and it was particularly pleasing that we were really often asked for our feedback, which was then listened to and implemented."

Stefan's employer also capitalised on the practical relevance of the UAS. "We repeatedly worked with companies as part of the courses and planned and implemented something for my employer, Kultur-Betriebe Burgenland. It's a great experience for students when concepts from their studies come to life and are applied in practice."