Carmen Ostwald
Interview with Dr. Carmen Ostwald, Strategy Department, ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
 Carmen Ostwald |
Well, it’s quite demanding, but I think if you really want to do something then it’s mainly a question of organization. I work 30 hours a week, so I have one day free for my studies, and I’m also very, very glad that my husband helps me wherever he can. He works in a half-time job, so he also looks after the children for long times.
How do you expect the MBA degree and your time at ESMT to influence your future?
I just changed my position within ThyssenKrupp Steel. I had worked for research and development for many years and have now changed to the strategy department. I really need the information and new skills I will learn here for my new job. I have a degree in chemistry and I also hold a PhD in natural sciences, so learning about finance and economics is a central topic for me. Eventually I would like to move to general management within my company. My company asked me to do such a program and is really supporting me.
What has been your most memorable experience so far?
I think the most impressive experience was really the outdoor training. In a very short time we really managed to become a team. We are very different persons, and everyone had a bit different approach to solve the different tasks. Then we managed become a team and use the strengths of every person within that team. Confidence had really grown by the end of the day. For me it was quite a new experience of what can happen within only one day.
What was your first impression of the class?
I really like that the people are open-minded. It’s very easy to come into discussions, and everyone is open to tell something about him- or herself. It’s always very interesting when people bring examples from their own company or their own life to class discussions.