Carina Hartl

2025 | Bachelor Civil and Construction Engineering

Career Development

I became interested in construction at the age of twelve, when our family built our own house. My parents often took me to the building site and did a lot of the work themselves. I quickly realized that I wanted to create something later on - not just at my desk, but directly on site.

I was initially interested in becoming an architect because I liked drawing. That's why I decided to do an internship at an architecture firm in grade 9. There I also got to know civil engineers, who explained the differences between the two professions to me. I realized that I was even more fascinated by the technical side of construction, which is why I became increasingly interested in civil engineering.

To further solidify my decision, I attended DIT's TastING program and completed an early study program to gain an initial insight into the course. I had the opportunity to take part in the construction industry's Baumangercamp - a perfect way to get to know professions in the construction industry, especially that of a civil engineer, at first hand. For a week, we worked together on an exciting project: the planning and construction of a “sit-in”, a bench for the local soccer club. The main focus was on teamwork, organization and practical construction. This experience gave me valuable insights into the versatility of the construction industry and further strengthened my career aspirations. I also did internships in a planning office and a construction company to get to know different perspectives of the civil engineering profession. There I also became aware of the possibility of a dual study program, which ideally combines theory and practice.

For this reason, I opted for a dual study program with in-depth practical experience at the construction company MAX STREICHER in Deggendorf. During the practical phases, I was able to immerse myself in different areas such as the building materials laboratory, road construction and bridge construction. I completed my practical semester in the Digital and Municipal Infrastructure (DKI) department, which deals with local network construction. I was a little skeptical at first, as I was more interested in building visible structures. But I quickly realized how versatile and impressive network construction can be.

In my last practical phase between the 6th and 7th semester, I returned to DKI, worked there two days a week during my last semester and wrote my thesis in this department. The combination of technical challenges, practical implementation and the opportunity to design sustainable infrastructures inspired me.

Today, I look forward with great anticipation to my future as a construction manager in network construction and look forward to putting my passion for construction into practice.

Reminiscing allowed: remember your student days

I have many fond memories of my time at DIT - both of my studies and of student life. I particularly like to think back to the regulars' tables at Otto, the legendary Kneipenhupfa, the Christmas parties and our graduation trip. These events were not only a lot of fun, but also encouraged exchange with fellow students from different semesters and degree programs.

The contact with other students was incredibly valuable - whether it was for tips and tricks for studying, discussing old exams or simply for good conversations. I have particularly fond memories of studying together with my fellow students. Our afternoon Zoom meetings not only made learning more effective, but also more entertaining. Thanks to these virtual meetings, we were never alone, we were able to motivate each other and get through the exam phases together. 

Our excursion to the Brenner Base Tunnel at the end of semester 7 was an unforgettable experience. Standing on a tunnel boring machine in the middle of the construction work on the longest tunnel in the world was simply breathtaking and a unique experience!

Without these experiences, my studies would have been much more strenuous - and I would not have made so many valuable friends. For me, DIT was not only a place of learning, but also a time full of community, solidarity and unforgettable moments.

What advice would you give to today's students?

Enjoy your time at university - it is a special phase in your life that will never come back! Take the opportunity to take part in student events, meet new people and exchange ideas with your fellow students. A good network not only makes studying easier, but also more exciting and varied.

Also get involved in new experiences! Try out different subjects, even if they don't arouse your main interest at first glance. You often only realize over time what really suits you. Take every opportunity to gain experience, be it through internships, excursions or voluntary projects.

And above all: have fun, stay open to new opportunities and make the most of your time at university! 

Vincent Jakob

2025 | Bachelor Civil and Construction Engineering

Career Development

After graduating from the Aloys-Fischer-Schule in Deggendorf, I began my civil engineering studies at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in October 2021. I completed this dual programme at the company BiSt Tiefbau GmbH & Co. KG in Böbrach to gain practical experience in addition to the theoretical content for my future job as a site manager in pipeline construction.

After graduating, I moved to Pfaffinger Bau SE in Passau in March 2025, but continued to work in the pipeline construction division. Deggendorf Institute of Technology, especially the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, offers numerous opportunities for professional networking, for example through excursions and trade fairs. This makes it easy for graduates to establish contacts with companies at an early stage and find a suitable career start.

During my studies, I was able to take advantage of various further training programmes offered by the university, including the acquisition of a training certificate and the qualification as a safety and health coordinator - both valuable additional qualifications for starting a career.

I also had the opportunity to work as a tutor at the university and pass on my knowledge of technical mechanics. This experience not only strengthened my teaching skills, but also deepened my own understanding of the subject. The interaction with students was an instructive and enriching time.

Reminiscing allowed: remember your student days

My time studying at the DIT was always characterised by a family atmosphere and numerous experiences. Thanks to the manageable number of students in the lectures, you quickly get to know each other, which makes it easy to make new friends. Contact with the professors is also more personal and pleasant, as you are not just one of many.

A special highlight of the degree programme is the annual final excursion in the 7th semester. For five days, students visit construction sites abroad together with some of the professors. In addition to gaining valuable professional insights, there is plenty of time to explore the cities they visit and have unforgettable experiences. Our semester was also particularly fortunate to be able to go on a second major excursion at the end of the 7th semester. This gave us the unique opportunity to visit the construction site of the Brenner Base Tunnel between Austria and Italy and even see the drilling machine in action.

The nightlife in Deggendorf and student events are not neglected either. The Deggendorf Civil Engineers‘ Association organises regular get-togethers, including the regulars’ table at Schober Otto or the May Festival, where you can get to know not only fellow students from higher semesters, but also some professors in a relaxed atmosphere.

What advice would you give to today's students?

Make friends with whom you can learn together! This may sound like a typical parents' advice, but it helps enormously. Fellow students who become real friends are a great support, especially on unmotivated days.

Also, you are never on your own at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Everyone here is helpful and friendly. Whether you have questions or criticism, your concerns are taken seriously and you can get involved at any time without feeling guilty.

And the most important thing: enjoy your time at university! My time at DIT flew by. The many activities during the semester keep things exciting - and before you know it, your studies are over. Make the most of every opportunity to gain experience and experience unforgettable moments!

Alfred Watzl

1999 | Civil and Construction Engineering

Career Development

In the 2nd practical semester, I was employed by STRABAG International GmbH in Poland as a construction phase manager (March-July 1998 in Bytom near Katowice, construction of a shopping centre for the German Metro Group) and already during the practical semester, I received a job offer as a construction manager from the then STRABAG boss in Poland, under the condition that I would be able to present a completed civil engineering degree by October 1999 at the latest. This was my motivation and pressure at the same time to complete my studies at DIT in eight semesters, including my diploma thesis (among other things, this is one of the reasons why I was probably the very first civil engineering graduate).

My first job was as a construction manager at STRABAG for the Real construction project (Metro Group) in Lublin. Then I became the project manager of the Metro Shopping Centre in Krakow, a prestigious project with a contract value of €26 million. Very independent work was necessary here. Building up a team, cooperating with the customer (including the Metro management) and, last but not least, intercultural cooperation (German, Austrian, Polish) provided me with important management skills in the technical, but also in the commercial and personnel areas at an early stage. During the team management, e.g. of an ECE shopping centre project with a contract value of €50 million, the STRABAG Management Board in Vienna "took notice" of me and I became divisional manager for large and special projects throughout Poland.

In January 2004 he was appointed to the national board. As technical director, I was responsible for STRABAG's structural and civil engineering in Poland, the development of a sustainable and nationwide organisation from project business to area business, the establishment of branch offices, etc. From January 2013 I was responsible as technical division manager for all operative business areas in Poland (traffic route construction, structural and civil engineering, bridge construction, railway construction, etc.) with an annual output volume of approx. € 900 million and approx. 5,000 employees.

Since January 2019, I have been a member of the Executive Board of the Group holding company STRABAG SE, responsible for the North + West segment (Germany, Poland, Scandinavia, Benelux) with an annual output volume of approx. € 8.0 billion and approx. 25,000 employees. 75,000 employees of the STRABAG SE Group generate an output of approximately €16.3 billion, making STRABAG the fifth largest construction company in Europe and the fourteenth largest construction company in the world.

Reminiscing allowed: remember your student days

As the first year of the civil engineering course, we had to work hard on lots of things ourselves together with the professors - there was no "blueprint" for either the professors or the students. This certainly entailed a lot of extra work, but the big advantage was that we had to get very involved and take responsibility. As a result, many students have also built up a close relationship with each other and with the professors - there was a kind of pioneering atmosphere overall. During this time, I also founded the "Verein der Deggendorfer Bauingenieure e.V.- VD-Bau" with fellow students (with formal support from Prof. Scherer) and was the first founding chairman.

In the middle/end of the 1990s Deggendorf was a very popular meeting place for young people within a radius of 100 km, i.e. the range of pubs, parties etc. could easily fill a 7-day week - which sometimes posed great challenges with regard to the compulsory attendance of some courses - but the development of soft skills during the studies was also important. So this time was not wasted.

Especially at that time, we also met with professors after the lectures, e.g. at the Christmas market - as I said, we had to "work" a lot together.

What advice would you give to today's students?

... do not to rely solely and exclusively on pure expertise!

In the age of digitalisation and increasing anonymity, social skills are becoming even more important. A technically sound education was and remains a basic requirement, but: As our processes on construction sites and processes close to construction sites become more and more complicated, the ability to work in a team is essential. The personal communication skills of all those involved play a major role here. Unfortunately, in the age of digitalisation, these skills are withering away because electronic communication dominates. Personal contact and discourse is avoided because it is perhaps more "strenuous"?!

Despite progressive digitalisation, people are still at the centre of the building industry, i.e. we deal with people every day: colleagues, superiors, customers, subcontractors, etc. Commitment, assumption of responsibility, respect, innovativeness, empathy, etc. are necessary values to enable a company and our society to operate successfully in the long term. But these values must be lived by all people in an organisation.

By the way, values cannot be replaced by machines or artificial intelligence!

For this reason, I can only encourage students to become more involved and take on responsibility during their studies, such as in student associations. The famous "thinking outside the box" is more topical than ever before. Please find out more about the challenges that digital transformation poses for employees and managers. The carousel of change is spinning faster and faster.

But this allows you to look to the future with great optimism: Civil engineers with a sound education, a "decent" portion of the above-mentioned values and social competence are and will continue to be in above-average demand on the job market.

But first of all: Enjoy your studies - especially the socialising!

Good luck with it!

Yours,

Alfred Watzl