Eva-Maria Perner
Graduate year 2009
- Why did you decide to attend the part-time, bachelor degree program Sports, Culture & Event Management? What makes it such a special program in your eyes?Professionally I wanted to find a new direction for myself and to turn my interest in culture and music into my vocation. The only option for me was to study part-time, and that’s why I decided to take the FH Kufstein’s offer. Initially it took a little getting used to the idea that sports and culture could be combined, and I simply couldn’t imagine what considerations lay behind the joining of these two very different fields. In the meantime I have come to understand that this combination is exactly what makes the degree program so special. I think that the different approaches used in sports and culture management allow us to take a more comprehensive and critical look at management itself. By doing so we can deal with various management techniques more openly. It also opens all kinds of possibilities for selecting positive aspects, recombining them, and perhaps using them with a bit of creativity to take on future management responsibilities.
- Which courses have you attended so far and what have you learned in or through them?At the start of the program we focused on learning the fundamental economic and legal concepts with regard to the field. In general, these basics should help me make the right kinds of decisions in various business situations, such as when negotiating a contract. I have studied the various types of companies and am familiar with their advantages and disadvantages. I have also developed a good understanding of, for example, how to mitigate liability when organizing events.I now also have a good command of specific knowledge and skills in the areas of accounting, controlling, company financing, and investment planning. I have also intensively studied the underlying principles that drive markets. What’s more, I am familiar with formulating marketing strategies. I also know about the demands that are made of project managers and the challenges that they face in their work. Furthermore, I learned how to work scientifically to process knowledge and generate data. With regard to the sports and culture sciences, I have a good command of the various theories and methods used by practitioners. I am also aware of the aims of culture and sports management and the action strategies they call upon to achieve them.
- Have you already worked on any projects at the FH Kufstein? What did the projects deal with? How did you contribute to the projects?
The objective of our project in the current semester is to create a concept for a sponsoring package and a budget for a sustainable and repeatable event in the Votive Church in Vienna. By means of an unconventional concert, funds should be raised for the renovation of the church and the church itself should be positioned as a unique event location. I was responsible for managing the project, coordinating the various activities, guiding the team and keeping motivation high. - In your opinion, to what extent is it possible to combine one’s studies, job, and private life?
It’s certainly not easy to juggle all three aspects. But I have been very determined to get the degree, and my boyfriend has supported me in every way possible. My boss also supported my decision and agreed to give me more flexibility with respect to my working hours. Ultimately it is possible to coordinate the many commitments.
- What career prospects do you have as a result of your studies?I am assuming that with this multifaceted education it will relatively easy to find an appropriate job for myself. At the moment I am toying with the idea of becoming self-employed. Still, I am open to any kind of work in the field of culture that might come along. There are actually so many different and exciting areas that I could go into, both nationally and internationally. There’s one thing I am sure about: with the knowledge we’ve acquired in our studies, with a healthy dose of self-confidence, and with our openness to adapting to new conditions, my classmates and I will definitely make our way on a fulfilling career path.