From his first experiences in industry to leading an international team - in our ‘Graduate of the Month’ series, Peter Hopfer talks about his impressive career. In this interview, he provides exciting insights into the formative stages of his career and shows how practical learning, strategic thinking and the right choice of degree programme have influenced his professional success.

What motivated you to choose the Marketing & Sales programme at Campus 02 University of Applied Sciences?

After completing my A-levels, I researched various national universities and study programmes. The FH CAMPUS 02 presented its course offerings by far the most professionally – whether through the informational materials, events, or the atmosphere on campus. What impressed me most was the student-centred approach with personal interaction, which ultimately convinced me.

Can you share a special memory or highlight from your time studying?

Spontaneously, I think of my graduation ceremony, which took place in the festive setting of the Old University. The procession with all the graduates, the special honour of delivering the graduation speech, and looking into the proud faces of my parents, relatives, friends, and distinguished guests (the Rector, President of the Chamber of Commerce, FH professors) deeply moved me. These moments showed me that what I had achieved was truly something special.

What skills or knowledge that you acquired at FH CAMPUS 02 have been the most helpful in your professional career?

I see analytical and methodological competence as THE competitive advantage for young graduates. In practical courses and through projects like market research, I learned what really matters: applying knowledge purposefully and implementing results. This ability to transform knowledge into action is a real "game changer" for both professional and personal success.

Another key success factor is developing a balance between strategic understanding and execution competence. During my early career years, I was able to effectively integrate the strategic directives of my superiors into my operational work. This understanding of the strategic perspective helped me achieve goals efficiently and manage tasks successfully.

Today, in my position as a manager, it is important to me not only to make strategic decisions but also to guide and coach my team in implementing these directives. Through this approach, I ensure that our goals are put into practice without falling into micromanagement. This way, we manage to make strategic planning "effective" and unlock the full potential of the team.

What did your career path look like after graduation? What stations did you go through?

I have been working in the industry from the very beginning and wrote both my Bachelor's and Master's theses for ANDRITZ AG. After completing my studies, I worked for over twelve years in the automotive industry. I got my first job as a sales representative based on the recommendation of Mag. Bernd Oberzaucher, one of my course instructors. I then spent many years at the MAGNA Group as a Program Manager and later as an Account Manager, where I managed the premium brands of the VW Group (Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini). This was followed by my first disciplinary leadership roles as Head of Project Management and a position as Division Manager in the automotive spare parts sector.

Since 2023, I have been working as Managing Director at PEWAG and am responsible for, in addition to PEWAG Engineering GmbH, four other companies in Europe (three in the Czech Republic, one in Bosnia and Herzegovina) with around 300 employees.

Are there specific trends or developments in the field of Marketing & Sales that students should keep an eye on?

I view this question from a very global perspective. Through my professional experience, I see Marketing & Sales always in an international context. As designers of the future, we must always keep in mind the long-term impact on society as well as on international competitiveness.
To ensure prosperity in Europe, we need balanced solutions and innovations that take our social responsibility (such as emission reduction/CBAM or the AI Act) into account, while also ensuring that our international competitiveness is not weakened.
The responsibility to make the right decisions in this regard is enormous – and students should be prepared for this. The tools to make these considerations are provided to them.

How important do you think further education and lifelong learning are in this field?

Incredibly important! Our goal should be to always learn from each other – regardless of status or level of education. The educational offerings and knowledge sharing have become more diverse due to technological advancements and are now consumed in different ways. For example, I particularly appreciate so-called "Learning Nuggets" – small, easily accessible bits of knowledge that are available at any time.

I advise students...

Enjoy your time at university, as it passes far too quickly. Be selective when choosing your first employer and – even more importantly – the quality of your supervisors. It's valuable to have people around you who provide support, from whom you can learn, and who also give constructive feedback.

A few words with Peter:

• From my time at university, I still have...
  ...a few yellow CAMPUS02 folders, and until a few years ago, my Moodle password was still in use.
• Who inspired you?
  Simon Sinek (“The Golden Circle”, “Leaders Eat Last”),
  Stephen Covey (“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”),
  Jocko Willink (“Extreme Ownership”).
• If I were to study again, I would...
  ... approach my current wife again and marry her.

My studies in 4 words:

• Practical orientation
• Learning from and with the best
• Nina
• Parking fees