Stefan Kohn, external doctoral student 2011

To join the doctoral program at WHU is an intellectually and personally enriching experience. The academic as well as the administrative support are perfect. Therefore, I can truly recommend a doctorate at WHU.

Stephan Kramer, internal doctoral student 2011

I was a doctoral student at the Institute of Management Accounting and Control (IMC) under the supervision of Prof. Weber and Prof. Schäffer. The unique opportunity to combine practitioner oriented work with an international research perspective was a crucial argument in my decision for WHU.

My time at WHU was characterized by trustful collaboration in a highly motivated and performance oriented work environment. The support by the faculty was outstanding, while at the same time I experienced a high degree of academic freedom to develop my dissertation project further. Research stays abroad and the attendance at conferences broadened my research scope and enabled me to extend my international network. Moreover, the doctoral program was well-structured, which helped to stay focused and to keep track of the schedule.

I would also like to emphasize that my time in the doctoral program did not only contribute to my professional development, but was also enriching on a personal basis. A lot of good memories remain, which are mainly related to the bright and friendly colleagues I was able to work with and the pleasant atmosphere among the doctoral students. In sum, my time at WHU was a great experience which I can whole-heartedly recommend to anybody interested in obtaining a doctoral degree.

Erik Strauß, internal doctoral student 2011

Never before, I have had the opportunity to work together with such motivated, friendly and outstanding people as at WHU. This complemented my professional advancement with a lot of new personal experiences. Thanks to my doctorate, I became a member of the WHU family!

Joyce Clark, external doctoral student 2010

There are few PhD programmes as flexible and supportive as that of WHU. The structure, organisation and immense support of the PhD office enabled me to pursue my PhD next to my full time job at one of the Big 4 audit companies in less than 3 years.

While WHU offers a wide range of doctoral studies, ranging from research forums with international and well diversified participation, very interesting research seminars broadening the own research scope and giving the chance to discuss well published articles and new research methods to business conferences and speeches, the true difference lies with the personal coaching and tutoring by the professors of WHU themselves. Next to my own supervisor, I had the chance to discuss my thesis with many other professors from different faculties during my time at WHU, always finding thoughtful advice and a range of new ideas. This is truly special for an external PhD student not being involved in day-to-day university live.

The good reputation of WHU in research and among leading employers in Germany and abroad gave me the chance to successfully apply for a research price from a foundation supporting research in the area of international accounting and audit and for a job at one of the leading strategic consultancies.

Sebastian Kreft, external doctoral student 2010

My doctorate at WHU was a great experience – from the academic support to the organizational handling: everything worked out perfectly well.

Andreas Veit, internal doctoral student 2009

Already at the end of my studies at the University of Cologne, I was interested in a doctorate, but for some time, I worked for a consulting company. The offer to work and research at the WHU Center for Controlling & Management (CCM) of Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Jürgen Weber seemed very attractive to me. It offered a practice relevant doctorate with international perspective within a highly recommended institute. In addition, the doctoral program as well as the tutoring supervisors allowed a vivid exchange and a broad support for questions with regard to contents and methods. All in all, WHU offered me not only excellent research conditions but also backup by the colleagues and the doctoral students’ community. I found a highly motivated surrounding within which doing a doctorate was also a lot of fun.

For me, studying within the doctoral program at WHU was a significant part of my education and personal development and I have never regretted to have chosen WHU; at the contrary: I would always take the same decision again.

Through working at the CCM, I also got to intensely know my current employer, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Since graduation of my two and a half year lasting doctorate, I act as corporate controller at Henkel in Dusseldorf, and I am still in active contact with my “Alma Mater”.

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