EAE Business School is a place full of bright students who strive and work hard every day to succeed in the professional world and improve themselves. In order to recognize their effort, since 2014, we have published the annual Dean’s List: a ranking of the students with the 20 best grade averages at the School. This year’s list has recently been published and we are pleased to introduce Veronika Kolb, a lively, bright student on the Master in Project Management student who has come first on the list thanks to her extraordinary performance at the School.
After receiving this news, we decided to contact her to see how she feels about the accolade. Do you want to know what she told us? Let's find out!
Veronika Kolb
Master in Project Management Student
First place in the 2019 Dean’s List
Veronika, do you consider yourself an open-minded, goal-oriented professional? Tell us more about yourself.
Yes, I see myself as an open-minded, goal-oriented, and hard-working young business professional. With respect to my professional background, in general, I can say that I have studied in three different countries (Germany, Singapore and Spain) at four different schools with a focus on business administration/management. I got my Bachelor Degree in International Business, within the framework of what is known as a cooperative study program, which means it involved both theory and practice by integrating academic studies and work experience.
Thanks to that, in parallel to my studies,, I already started to gain valuable work experience. Since then, within the last seven years of my working profession, I have acquired a diverse range of practical knowledge and experiences in a multinational company in several departments and areas. In 2018, I decided to do my Master studies in Project Management at EAE Business School and that is when the part you already know about started.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, playing the piano, and travelling around the world as much as possible.
What other abilities and skills should a professional manage nowadays?
In my opinion, to be successful, there are three major factors. For me those are: People, passion, and performance (my 3 Ps).
First of all – people. An individual success always depends on the way you interact with others, the support you receive and the people that accompany you. For example, being #1 on the Dean’s List in 2019. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible for me without all my amazing class and teammates, our professors and tutors, as well as my family and friends. In addition, it is also important to be open-minded to other cultures, mindsets and ideas, as well as having a good teamwork spirit.
Secondly, it is a matter of passion. Here, I want to refer to a quote by Simon Sinek: “Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.” It is the passion for something that leads someone to speak enthusiastically with a sparkle in the eyes and that gives you energy to accomplish achievements and manage challenges.
Last but not least, performance. Dedication, hard work and persistence, as well as being eager to learn and grow, are crucial ingredients for for performing at your highest and being able to achieve your goals and reach success. Moreover, in the end, there is always a modicum of luck.
You took EAE Business School’s Master in Project Management. What was the experience like? Has the Master helped you improve the abovementioned abilities and skills?
For me, taking my Master in Project Management at EAE Business School in Madrid has been a really important and valuable experience. It helped me to grow as an individual, both professionally and personally. Besides learning the diverse, theoretical and practical content about Project Management, I was fortunate to have a really nice and intercultural class with many amazing people.
We accomplished a lot of teamwork together, had interesting and challenging courses and, in addition, enjoyed the nightlife in Madrid together. Moreover, the residential program in “Accelerating Leadership Agility“ at UC Berkeley, California, USA, at the end of the Master Program, has been a perfect complement to the studies. To sum up, I can say that it has been one of my best years so far.
In 2019, you came first on the Dean’s List and were named as brightest student at EAE thanks to your excellent grade average. How did you hear the news? What has it meant to you?
In the beginning of this year, I received a call from EAE’s Dean Josep Maria Altarriba. He informed me about the Dean’s List and my ranking. I was very surprised, especially as I did not expect it. I am still so overwhelmed and proud and feel very honoured to be on this list.
One of EAE’s main goals is to support and motivate its students. Do you feel that you have benefited from this support? How?
Yes, besides offering interesting Master programs and having many experienced and knowledgeable professors and tutors, EAE offers a huge portfolio of additional activities, such as the Self-Leadership Program, Mentoring, Networking Events, Career Development, Residential Programs, International Talent Programs, etc.
By coming top of the Dean’s List, you will have the opportunity to take part in a residential program at a university abroad, free of charge. What kind of residential program would you like? What about the university?
As mentioned above, I participated last year in the “Accelerating Leadership Agility” residential program at UC Berkeley, California, USA, which I rated as a really valuable experience. Because of this, i was very happy to hear that this year's Dean's List prize was Residential Programme offer.Out of this year’s options, I would have chosen the program “Advanced Business Strategy” at the University La Verne, California, USA. Unfortunately, due to this year’s Covid-19 situation, the programs did not take place but I am looking forward to the diverse range of residential programme on offer next year.
Do you think these kind of award is important? Why?
Yes, I see it as a huge acknowledgement for the graduate and a real motivation for the current students and classes.
What would you say to anybody thinking about taking EAE’s Master in Project Management?
The Master Program in Project Management at EAE offers a future-oriented master, which can be completed within less than a year. It helps to gain and deepen a broad knowledge in Project Management and prepares you for a related job position, as well as the PMP certification. In addition, by offering a range of Minor programs to choose from, the Master also gives you the opportunity to specialize, perhaps in an area not directly related to Project Management.
Now that you have successfully completed your Master, what are your next goals?
My professional goal after completing my Master was to apply and broaden this acquired knowledge in a new position. As I have been working now for exactly a year as a Project Manager for a transformational project, I’m very happy that I’ve achieved this. I’m looking forward to all the challenges and tasks this and further projects will bring. Moreover, currently I am preparing for the PMP certification, which I see as the icing on the cake to my Master studies.
Besides that, as soon as the situation will allow it again, I’m excited to travel to Spain again as during my Master’s studies I fell in love with the country, the people and the language. On this occasion, I hope we can catch up on the Gala Dinner in order to meet the other Dean’s List members.
To conclude, I would like to say “Muchas gracias” to everyone I met and who accompanied me and thereby made this year an educational and special one for me.