Dual study programme in business informatics

»I find the AI team particularly exciting«, Erik, dual study programme student in business informatics with the practice partner Intershop

Erik Wiebecke (19) began his dual study programme in business informatics at the Gera Cooperative State University in October last year. He has chosen the international e-commerce company Intershop, based in Jena, as his practical partner.

How did you become aware of Intershop as a practice partner?

It was actually through personal contacts. I was already familiar with Intershop, of course, back then as ‘Intershop Tower’. An acquaintance of mine worked there and made the contact. After an interview and a round of introductions, I had a very positive impression of the company. The decision in favour of Intershop was then quite easy for me, and that’s how I ended up there.

What requirements should you have for this dual study programme?

First of all, the A-levels are a basic requirement for admission to this dual study programme. It is an advantage if you have already attended computer science at school. A good knowledge of maths is also important. If you are interested in business informatics, you should ideally also have studied subjects such as business law or comparable business fundamentals. In general, a keen interest in computers, business processes and information processing is very helpful.

What does your typical working day look like and what tasks do you take on?

I’m currently working in the AI team, which I find particularly exciting as artificial intelligence is currently everywhere and offers enormous potential for the future. Basically, I help to optimise processes, for example through digital documentation. I am also increasingly taking on independent tasks.

During the practical phases of the degree programme, several projects are also planned in which you work on specific tasks from the company and thus deliver real added value. The project work is therefore a kind of academic achievement with practical relevance. At the beginning, I mainly worked on the documentation and optimisation of company processes. To do this, I analysed and documented existing processes and conducted interviews. In the next practical phase, I will be working on a new project, this time focussing on artificial intelligence. My task will be to design an AI agent and develop it further so that it can be seamlessly integrated into the existing systems. I’m really looking forward to this because it will allow me to delve even deeper into the topic of AI and work on exciting projects.

Which tasks have been the most fun for you so far?

I think it’s great when you find a solution to a problem after a day or two of working on something. I also always find the team meetings very exciting and the dialogue with colleagues, discussing the current status and new projects together are very enriching.

How good are the takeover opportunities at Intershop?

The chances of being taken on at Intershop are excellent. In general, the prospects after a dual study programme are very good, as companies rarely train someone for three years and then don’t take them on. At Intershop in particular, there are many opportunities to gain a long-term foothold in the company.

What development opportunities do you have in the field of business informatics? Where could you work with your degree?

The great thing about business informatics is its versatility. You can go into software development as well as project management, where you act as an interface between IT and management. Areas such as sales, marketing or controlling are also open to you. I find this flexibility particularly exciting because it allows me to specialise according to my interests.

Is there already a tendency in which direction you would like to develop?

I find software development very exciting, but I can also imagine getting to know project management better. I’m also interested in marketing and controlling. I haven’t decided on a final direction yet – I’m open-minded.

Where do people come into contact with your profession in everyday life?

In everyday life, you usually encounter business IT specialists indirectly – for example, when you use apps or browse online shops. Behind these applications are often teams of business IT specialists who develop and maintain the systems. So if you shop in an online shop, for example, you may be using a solution in which Intershop was involved.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting a dual study programme? Are there things you would have liked to have known beforehand?

You should be able to organise yourself well, because there are no traditional semester breaks in which you can catch up on content. It’s important to stay on the ball. However, I can recommend a dual study programme to anyone: You already earn money, don’t have to work part-time, get to know lots of people and have a company behind you. It was the right decision for me.

What do you particularly like about working and living here in Jena?

Jena is a beautiful city – not too big, not too small, very green and with great transport links. I can get here quickly by train and can also get to the company quickly on foot. There are lots of places to go out for lunch and a wide range of cultural activities. I feel completely at home here.

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A dual study programme in business informatics offers you the perfect mix of theory and practice: you not only learn exciting business and IT content, but can also apply your knowledge directly in the company, gain valuable professional experience and are in high demand with employers after graduation. You will also earn money while you are still studying, be part of a team and have excellent chances of being taken on and developing – ideal for anyone with an analytical mindset who wants to take on responsibility early on and help shape the future.