Testimonials

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

After the academic job market in 2024, I joined the Department of Economics at the University of Konstanz as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Finance.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

I applied to the VGSF PhD program because it provides a great platform to develop my research and teaching portfolio. The program offers structured courses, great feedback opportunities, a committed faculty, a seminar series with international guest speakers, and great support during the job market. Moreover, the VGSF program also offers various opportunities to gain teaching experience as a course instructor. Lastly, living in Vienna with other international students from the VGSF PhD program is a great experience!

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

The various feedback opportunities during meetings, courses, and conferences guided me to improve my research papers. The VGSF program taught me how to address these comments. Moreover, I am very thankful for the opportunity to regularly meet international researchers and discuss my research projects and ideas with them! Lastly, the program also prepared me to find a balance between research projects and teaching tasks, which is essential for young researchers.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

The VGSF program is supported by an outstanding and dynamic faculty that is committed to supporting students from their first research paper to their job market talks in their final year. In particular, the great mix of senior faculty and young researchers on a tenure track provides a dynamic environment to discuss new research ideas, receive regular feedback, and start new collaborations.

What was student life like?

I have always enjoyed being part of the VGSF community. The regular lunch meetings with students and faculty helped me to get to know my colleagues and to receive different views on my research projects. Moreover, there is a great student community that supports each other during the various challenges that occur during the PhD program. Ultimately, I found many friends and had an outstanding time in Vienna!

Thank you for your time!

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

I began my career at the consulting firm d-fine, where I have been able to leverage the skills and knowledge I acquired during my PhD studies. d-fine specializes in analytical topics, and my work primarily focuses on risk management within the finance sector. This role has allowed me to engage in a range of activities, including model development, analysis, and implementation, all of which are crucial for addressing the complex challenges faced by financial institutions today.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

I applied to the VGSF PhD program because it presented an excellent opportunity to immerse myself in finance research alongside a young and active faculty. Additionally, the program is situated in a city renowned for its high quality of living, which I find incredibly conducive to both academic and personal well-being. Lastly, the provision of good funding made the program not only a viable choice but also an attractive one, enabling me to focus fully on my research and development as a scholar.

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

First, I could acquire extensive knowledge in the area of finance enabling me to guide clients with confidence as an expert in the field. Apart from that, the research experience taught me to approach problems from multiple angles before diving into solutions, ensuring a more thorough analysis. I learned how to effectively deal with setbacks, a crucial skill in both academia and the professional world. Additionally, the program emphasized the importance of self-organization, enabling me to manage my time and projects efficiently. Finally, I developed the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to those outside my field, a skill that has proven invaluable when working with diverse teams and clients in my consulting role. Overall, the program equipped me with a solid foundation for tackling the challenges I encounter in my career.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

In my opinion, one of the standout features of the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs is the frequent feedback that students receive from professors on their research. This environment fosters continuous improvement and growth, allowing for more dynamic development of ideas. Having faculty members who show genuine care for their students contributes to a distinctive atmosphere in the VGSF program, enhancing the overall academic experience. In conversations with work colleagues who graduated from different PhD programs, it’s clear that this level of interaction is a significant advantage of the VGSF program.

What was student life like?

Student life at VGSF was truly enjoyable, enriched by the beautiful city of Vienna. The city’s vibrant culture and stunning architecture created a wonderful backdrop for my studies. I frequently engaged in meaningful exchanges with my fellow PhD colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. Additionally, the pleasant campus environment contributed to an overall positive experience, making it easy to balance academic pursuits with social interactions. This combination of factors made my time as a student both enriching and memorable.

Thank you for your time!

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

After graduating from VGSF in 2022, I started my academic career as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Finance at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

I applied to the VGSF PhD program due to its exceptional reputation among European programs, its distinguished faculty, and the solid funding. Additionally, Vienna is a truly beautiful city to live in.

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

The VGSF program provided a strong foundation in theoretical and empirical finance, honed my research skills, and instilled a passion for cutting-edge research. The rigorous training and supportive faculty prepared me to thrive in academia and contribute meaningfully to the field.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

VGSF stands out for its emphasis on research excellence, fostering a vibrant academic community, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. The program’s focus on real-world finance problems and the opportunity to engage with industry experts were invaluable in shaping my career.

What was student life like?

Student life at VGSF was intellectually stimulating and enriching. The diverse and talented cohort created a dynamic learning environment. Engaging seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities facilitated personal and academic growth, making my time at VGSF truly memorable.

Thank you for your time!

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

I started my career as an Assistant Professor in Finance in September 2020 at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen. I am also affiliated with the Danish Finance Institute, an initiative of all leading Danish universities to foster world-class research in Finance.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

My background was initially in mathematical finance and econometrics. I aimed to work on questions pertaining to the use of high-frequency data for portfolio choice together with Nikolaus Hautsch, a faculty member of the VGSF. The program offered many exciting courses, close interaction with the faculty, and excellent research resources (such as travel budgets, access to large computing facilities, and plenty of data sources). The VGSF seemed like an excellent place to start as a PhD student, and Vienna is an amazing city

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

In retrospect, I am extremely grateful for the support of the VGSF and the entire faculty. Via the VGSF, I got the opportunity to meet many renowned researchers visiting our department for seminars and, even better, giving courses for PhD students. I still collaborate with some of these professors, and such fruitful connections would have been very hard to establish without the help of the VGSF. Also, I received a lot of opportunities to present my research within the VGSF, and the faculty and peers made substantial efforts to provide me with feedback – I guess there is nothing that prepared me better for the job market than all these opportunities to interact with each other.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

The VGSF provides a stimulating environment for research: the number of accomplished scholars among both the local and visiting faculty is impressive and the courses were outstanding. The generous travel budget allowed me to participate in many conferences and to visit, among others, Northwestern University, an outstanding US institution. I enjoyed the close contact with all the faculty members and sincerely miss all the great interactions with my fellow PhD students in Vienna.

What was student life like?

The topmost priority was research. Thanks to the generous funding of the VGSF, I did not have to teach, which gave me plenty of time to work on publishing my research projects. The courses were amazing, albeit time-consuming, but I am extremely grateful for all these opportunities: We had the chance to participate in many, many seminars with outstanding speakers and to discuss their work during internal meetings. We, the VGSF students, presented our work internally, gave feedback, and supported each other. Of course, it helped that Vienna is such a great place to live and that the WU campus provides an outstanding atmosphere. Within these years, my colleagues became close friends, and I’ll never forget many of the fun events that took place during or after working hours 🙂

Thank you for your time!

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

After graduating from the VGSF, I joined Erste Group Bank AG in Vienna as a Credit Risk Model Developer.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

I was looking for a PhD program with a clear structure, a scholarship, and high-quality researchers – I found it all in the VGSF.

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

The program taught me how to identify and solve complex issues thoroughly and convey the key message concisely.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

In my opinion, it is a clear structure of the program and the possibility for students to attend top academic conferences.

What was student life like?

Despite our busy schedules, we always found a way to mark and celebrate special moments such as inviting first-year students for a beer.

Thank you for your time!

Tell us about your career path since graduating from the VGSF.

Since graduating from the VGSF in 2018, I have had the privilege of serving as a faculty member at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Why did you apply to the VGSF PhD program?

I applied to the VGSF PhD program because it aligned with my academic goals, following the US-style PhD model. The program featured an exceptional and approachable faculty, encouraged close collaboration from day one, offered a range of classes taught by both local and visiting faculty, and hosted a high-profile seminar series. Additionally, Vienna’s reputation as a beautiful city to live in added to its appeal. In summary, VGSF provided the ideal environment for my doctoral journey.

Looking back, how did the program prepare you for your career?

Looking back, the VGSF program significantly contributed to my career development. Through close collaboration with faculty, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the research process, from generating ideas to publishing papers. Faculty supervisors consistently encouraged me to explore ambitious ideas, broadening my professional horizons. Regular student presentations honed my presentation skills, a crucial asset in my career. Additionally, the PhD classes I attended provided a solid research foundation. In retrospect, VGSF’s holistic approach to research, mentorship, and skill development played a pivotal role in shaping my career.

In your opinion, what is specific to the VGSF program compared to other PhD programs?

In my opinion, what sets the VGSF program apart from others is its exceptionally approachable faculty, fostering a supportive learning environment. Daily interactions with both peers and faculty encourage collaboration and idea exchange. The program boasts a faculty with deep expertise, enhancing the quality of education and research opportunities. Additionally, VGSF provides a unique exposure to world-class international faculty through PhD classes and a weekly seminar series, which adds a global perspective to the program. These factors collectively distinguish VGSF as a standout choice among PhD programs.

What was student life like?

My student life at VGSF was truly remarkable. It was not only a lot of fun but also intellectually stimulating. Daily lunches with fellow PhD students provided a wonderful platform for exchanging ideas and fostering strong bonds. Vienna, with its vibrant culture and affordability, offered an ideal backdrop for my academic journey. So far, my PhD years, in retrospect, stand out as some of the best years of my life, filled with unforgettable experiences and personal growth.