From ORBA to Impact
Discover the inspiring journeys of ORBA graduates and students who have turned rigorous academic training into real-world impact. In this collection, you'll find authentic stories that highlight how studying ORBA has shaped their careers, broadened their perspectives, and empowered them to make a difference.
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Shafaq BilalBusiness Analyst at eBay |
"The ORBA program has provided me with a comprehensive foundation in both technical and strategic domains, equipping me with the competencies required to excel as a Business Analyst in a professional context. The curriculum strengthened my analytical capabilities and facilitated proficiency in multiple programming languages and analytical tools, which are indispensable for strategic decision-making in modern business environments. Beyond technical expertise, the program cultivated a deeper understanding of data as more than numerical outputs. I learned to interpret data critically and apply them to address complex, real-world challenges. Ultimately, this program has empowered me to transform data-driven insights into impactful strategies that create measurable value in real world." |
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Sophie DittmarTeamlead and ERP Consultant at NAVAYA GmbH |
"ORBA combined the disciplines I enjoyed most: economics, computer science, and mathematics. What helped me most during my studies was learning process-oriented thinking – the ability to quickly understand, analyze, and optimize processes. I also benefited from the interdisciplinary approach of working between business and computer science, which is especially relevant in the field of ERP systems. Today, in my role at NAVAYA GmbH, I can build on this foundation to act as the link between customers, the ERP software, and our development team." |
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Shirin Khosravi JamSenior Data Scientist at Scalable Capital |
"I chose M.Sc. ORBA because it combines the breadth of four departments: mathematics/quantitative methods, computer science/machine learning, finance, and operations research, with the flexibility to specialise. I specialised in Finance, worked closely with Prof. Dr. Elmar Lukas, and gained valuable industry exposure. With the FINTECH incubator and high-performance computing, I was able to turn a seminar project into RoboFina Advisors, an AI-driven robo-advisory proof-of-concept and trained compute-intensive models. OVGU opened the door to fintech and prepared me for my role at Scalable Capital. Magdeburg is also a fantastic student city: affordable, cozy, and close to Berlin. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I’m a Senior Data Scientist at Scalable Capital, one of Europe’s leading digital investment platforms. My work spans the full ML lifecycle from building and evaluating models to deploying them in production, recently also working on integration of GenAI assistants in the app." |
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Armin KeshavarziPhD student at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg |
"ORBA equipped me with rigorous analytical skills and a deep understanding of optimization and data-driven decision support, which directly support my current PhD research in Explainable Reinforcement Learning. Courses like AI-based decision support, computer engineering, mathematical modeling, and financial engineering provided me with practical tools that I now apply to real-world challenges in healthcare logistics and financial systems. The program also fostered critical thinking and academic independence, helping me transition smoothly into a research-focused role." |
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Laura KnappikPhD student at RWTH Aachen University |
"I considered ORBA a great master’s program for building a strong foundation in mathematical modeling, optimization, and operations research. The small class sizes and the international student community created a supportive learning environment that enriched both academic discussions and teamwork. The lectures provided up-to-date theoretical fundamentals, while seminars and projects were closely tied to real-world industry challenges. The flexibility in choosing thesis topics allowed me to align the program with my interests and future career. Throughout the program, I gained valuable practical experience that complements my academic work as a PhD student." |
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Rajnesh MandhwaniData Strategy & Engineering Specialist at Rosenxt Group |
"The ORBA program provided me with a strong foundation in analytical thinking, quantitative modeling, and data-driven decision-making. The blend of operations research and business analytics equipped me with practical skills that I now apply frequently in my role as a Data Strategy Professional. The program’s focus on real-world problem-solving and interdisciplinary teamwork prepared me to tackle complex challenges in industry. Thanks to ORBA, I’m able to bridge the gap between technical solutions and strategic business goals, driving impactful results for my organization." |
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Momo PaboData Engineer at Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation |
"I chose this program because I wanted to address a gap I had identified in my professional skill set. The ORBA program offered exactly what I needed: a strong balance between theoretical concepts and practical, hands-on experience. Courses such as Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making I & II gave me the opportunity to apply advanced analytical methods to real-world data. This learning process was further deepened through various semester projects and, most importantly, during my Master's thesis. The thesis experience was especially valuable. I gained a deep understanding of the subject matter, benefited from excellent academic guidance, particularly from my supervisor, and developed the confidence and expertise to transition into the professional world. I secured a position as a Data Engineer at a well-known company in Germany shortly before graduation." |
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Jonas SteinPhD student at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg |
"What I particularly appreciated during my ORBA studies was the integration of concepts from operational research and business analytics. As we all know that the availability of data is increasingly important, the program prepares you to work with data accurately and effectively. Taking advantage of this knowledge and combining it with the acquired quantitative methods, you are equipped with all necessary tools to tackle real-world problems. In my current research as a PhD student, I draw upon the fundamental concepts and modeling techniques acquired during the study program to approach problems with stochastic and dynamic decision frameworks." |
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Asir in TisarData Analyst at Nordsee GmbH and PhD student at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg |
"On August 20, 2020, an hour of thought before applying to the ORBA program was one of the decisive decisions of my career so far. Something that set my career on a new trajectory. This program offered me versatile career choices with strong academic discipline, which allowed me to traverse both the corporate world and academic research simultaneously—a unique blend that I believe is rarely available in typical study programs. Now, as a data analyst in a company & an external PhD student in one of the prolific chairs at OVGU, I can say that studying ORBA was the globally optimal decision for me. It helped me to build career in data-driven domain, composed with Business, IT & Mathematics." |
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Willem WeissManagement Trainee Logistik at Hermes Fulfilment |
"From the beginning of my master’s studies, I wanted to expand the management and finance aspects of my program with skills in data analytics and machine learning. The AIBDS course provided a suitable introduction to these fields — one of the few courses that addressed such a timely and far-reaching topic. With the follow-up course AIBDS II, I was able to build on my newly acquired knowledge and even apply it in practice through a seminar and a scientific project." (translation) |
