Becoming a consultant? Students of economics and other subjects can try this out and gain a wide range of experience at the student consultancy CARLO. CARLO celebrated its tenth anniversary on Friday.
Whether it's a marketing strategy for a bakery or a car dealer, market research for a bank or analysing customer satisfaction at a horse show: the range of projects at CARLO Consulting e.V. is wide. Ten years ago, the then Oldenburg junior professor Michael Mohe founded the management consultancy together with students.
Today, the association has 32 members, mainly from degree programmes in Economics and Computing Science, who are involved in internal and external projects. "The practical relevance brings most of them to us," says Viktoria Steinbach. The 27-year-old is studying "Management Consulting" and has been involved in the student management consultancy for two years. Being able to put her course content into practice at CARLO was also a good opportunity for her.
Shortly before completing her master's degree, she is grateful for the experience: "I have learnt a lot, whether in dealing with customers or - in the meantime as CARLO department head - about leading and motivating a team." Membership has given her the opportunity to further her education. At the same time, she was able to offer training courses herself. But the social aspect also plays a role, says Viktoria Steinbach. She describes the team spirit as "friendly", and joint visits to sporting events, for example, promote networking.
At the CARLOsians' ten-year anniversary celebration on Friday, networking with speakers from the management consultancies Erlkönig, Business Technology Consulting, McKinsey and Commerz Business Consulting was not neglected either. Another platform for CARLO is the annual Oldenburg "Consultants' Symposium" at the university, which the student consultants will be even more involved in organising in the future. The next event is due to take place in March 2017.
Students from all subject areas are welcome at CARLO. They first take part in internal training and a case study as "candidates" before the association accepts them as members. Those who have completed their studies can switch to alumni status - or remain a member. "We like to keep the expertise with us," says Viktoria Steinbach. The association is also pleased about the continuing connection to its honorary members, founder Mohe, who now holds a professorship at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, and founding member Stephanie Birkner - now a junior professor of Female Entrepreneurship in Oldenburg.
