Natja Schmitt
Image: Stefan Bausewein

50 Years 50 Faces

Natja Schmitt

Research Associate at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

At FHWS since 2011

For me, FHWS is ...
a place to meet people, for dialogue, creativity, but above all a place of learning from and with each other.

What do you appreciate about FHWS?

As an employee, I appreciate the open, free way of working, the great development opportunities, professionally, interculturally & personally, as well as the close contact with the students. One big advantage for our students is the practical nature of the studies, the wide range of degree programmes and specialisations as well as our international focus. These enable studying abroad, completing internships abroad and studying with exchange students.

What was the best decision in your professional career and why? What has changed since then?

Switching from working solely at a desk to working and teaching at a higher education institution. It’s a great feeling to support & accompany young people on their educational path, thus doing community a small service ;-)

What do you think has shaped FHWS the most over the last 50 years?

Clearly internationalisation with the TWIN programmes and the double degrees for incoming & outgoing students as well as the rapid digitalization – currently also due to the coronavirus pandemic.

What is your vision of the future for FHWS? What might FHWS look like in 50 years’ time?

I hope that FHWS will remain a dynamic place. Topics such as hybrid national/international modes of study or questions such as “How can we best prepare our students for the (working) world of tomorrow?” should be further discussed, tackled and promoted.

What is your insider tip for the cities of Würzburg or Schweinfurt and why?

I can recommend the city park and/or the Mainkai or Mainpromenade for walks during lunch breaks. From the rooftop terrace at Münzstraße 12, I like to enjoy the sensational view of the Marienberg Fortress and the Käppele over a cup of coffee. A dining and humorous tip for balmy summer evenings is a visit to the Theater am Schützenhof, high above the rooftops of Würzburg.