From studying in Vienna to becoming a health entrepreneur in Great Britain – for this career path the graduate was awarded the Alumni Award of the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication.
Vienna, September 30, 2020 – Nicola Filzmoser, a graduate of the Bachelor’s program in Corporate Communication, was voted “Alumna of the Year 2020” by the alumni of the university of applied sciences in Vienna. Since the public vote during the “Alumni Night” had to be cancelled this year due to Corona, voting was conducted online.
Nicola Filzmoser took the step into self-employment with her company Happyr Health in Great Britain to help children with chronic migraine pain with an app.
The study program was helpful in setting up the company
“At FHWien der WKW I learned how to convince customers and investors of a new product. This helped me in start-up competitions and crowdfunding,” says the prizewinner, explaining the benefits she gained from her studies when starting up a company. “I first got in touch with the world of start-ups during an internship I completed as part of my studies.”
“Starting up a company at the age of 23 is definitely a challenge, but also an incredible opportunity to grow,” declares Nicola Filzmoser, looking back on her first steps as an entrepreneur. “My own past with migraine since childhood motivates me a lot,” she says about her professional commitment.
Three successful graduates competed in the final
Two further successful graduates of FHWien der WKW had made it to the final of the election for the Alumnus/Alumna of the Year: Patrick Batka and Günter Stöffelbauer.
Patrick Batka completed a Bachelor’s and a Master’s program in Management & Entrepreneurship and chose a career in the field of Controlling and Finance. This has already led him to companies such as McDonald’s, Wienerberger and FITINN. He is also a lecturer at FHWien der WKW.
Günter Stöffelbauer is a graduate of FHWien der WKW’s Communication Management study programs. The former Marketing Manager at L’Oréal Germany is now working as founder and managing director of Nikolaihof GmbH on the development and international marketing of an organic grape cosmetics line.
High practical relevance as a recipe for success
In the 26 years of its existence, FHWien der WKW has already produced more than 11,800 graduates. For many of them, their studies laid the foundation for careers at home and abroad. “The fact that many of our graduates are so successful in their careers makes us very proud,” says Michael Heritsch, CEO of FHWien der WKW. He describes the high practical relevance of the training as a recipe for success: “Two thirds of our lecturers come directly from the business world. The companies appreciate the practice-oriented academic training our students receive,” Heritsch continues.
Photo:
Nicola Filzmoser was elected “Alumna of the year 2020” of FHWien der WKW. She founded the company Happyr Health in Great Britain to help children suffering from migraine with an app.
Copyright: Pradeep Singh
FHWien der WKW
University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication
FHWien der WKW has been Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management & communication for over 25 years. Working in close contact with Austrian corporations, FHWien der WKW offers comprehensive and practice-oriented academic programs to over 2,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Two thirds of our teaching staff have a background in business. Our programs are tailored to the needs of companies, optimally preparing our graduates – more than 11,800 to date – for their future careers.
Contact
Bernhard Witzeling
Head of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Alumni & Career Services, Press Officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 476 77-5733
presse@fh-wien.ac.at