Joel Benz is studying Industrial Engineering and Management (WING) in his 5th semester at OST. The St.Gallen native is currently spending a semester abroad in Belgium.
Joel Benz is currently enjoying his semester abroad in Belgium.
Why did you decide to study industrial engineering?
After my apprenticeship and my time as a truck mechanic, I wanted to stay in a technical field. But I was interested in thinking outside the box. During my vocational baccalaureate, I looked at various technical courses and discovered industrial engineering. The course is ideal for me. It takes me further in the technical field and also satisfies my interest in the bigger picture, looking at the bigger picture. I find that exciting.
What do you benefit from most during your studies?
From a professional point of view, in addition to the traditional teaching, the degree program thrives on the practical projects. Personally, I also benefit a lot from the exchange at the OST - with the other students, who have very different professional backgrounds, but also with the lecturers. I'm now able to put myself in the shoes of other viewpoints and perspectives. That helps enormously in teamwork.
Why did you choose OST?
Because there was no reason to move away from St.Gallen and because I was convinced by the industrial project at OST: small teams of students work together with an industrial partner from the very first semester.
"I was convinced by the industrial project with an industrial partner."
Joel Benz, Industrial Engineering student at the OST
The industry project is characteristic of the WING degree program at OST. What other aspects are there?
At OST, we can put together our curriculum individually and have a lot of freedom when choosing modules. I also appreciate that our degree program is relatively informal. There is largely a "you" culture and the lecturers are always available for questions and discussions; we meet at eye level. We don't sit in huge lecture halls with hundreds of students.
You and your team worked together on the industrial project with Entsorgung St.Gallen. What happened with your industrial project?
We developed a concept to promote the use of underground containers in the city. Part of this has continued beyond the industrial project. We will be involved again and are in contact. I also worked at Entsorgung St.Gallen in the summer. That resulted from the industry project. The contacts in industry in our practical projects are very valuable.
How do you look back on the industrial project?
I found the entire process very valuable. In my view, the result is of secondary importance. You start from day 1 of your studies, usually without any experience in project management, you don't know your colleagues yet and you don't know your industry partner anyway. It's like jumping in at the deep end. The industrial project lasts two years, so you have to have serious discussions. You make mistakes, get up again and learn from your own experience. Above all, you learn to develop pragmatic solutions. We also practiced "overengineering". I think that's a typical beginner's mistake for students.
Who would you recommend studying WING to?
A basic technical education certainly makes studying easier. Basically, however, you should simply be interested in technology and the tech industry. If you also enjoy working in teams and on interdisciplinary projects, are communicative and curious about where new technical developments are heading, I would recommend studying WING.
To the FM1 report on the industrial project "disposing of waste for a good cause" by Joel and his colleagues.