Gerolf Bücheler completed his Bachelor’s in Biobased Products and Bioenergy at the University of Hohenheim. He then completed a Master’s in Agricultural Economics. Today, he works for the Deutscher Bauernverband (DBV) in the Environmental Policy and Sustainability Unit.
His Tips
Gain practical experience so you can see what really interests you.
Build up a network to make it easier to start a career later. For example with the VDL Student Group in Hohenheim.
Apply for scholarships - there are more than you think!
Expert for Environmental Policy and Sustainability, DBV, Berlin
Studies at the University of Hohenheim 2008-2015
Biobased Products and Bioenergy B.Sc.
Agricultural Economics M.Sc.
Job
What are typical activities for you in your job?
As an association, we are asked to take positions during legislative procedures. We prepare the legislation suggestions, send them to our state associations, collect the feedback, and then formulate the final statements. I also write an article for our member magazine “Deutsche Bauern Korrespondenz” and answer specialized questions from media representatives, colleagues from the state associations, and the ministries. I also prepare press releases and fact checks on current topics. That means that I make sure we are ahead of the game when it comes to the flow of information.
When did you decide on your career?
During the internships I did between my Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. In general, you can do a lot of things with the Biobased Products and Bioenergy Bachelor’s degree: Facility construction, plant breeding, energy supply, etc. I wanted to try things out first. An internship with OVID, the association of the oil-processing industry in Germany, brought me to the work with associations.
“My internship experiences led to my career choice.”
Studies
Why the University of Hohenheim? And why Biobased Products and Bioenergy?
I completed my volunteer service year in Stuttgart. Because I liked the city so much and I grew up not far way, I looked at the universities here and then decided on the University of Hohenheim. Topics related to biobased products and bioenergy were and continue to be very relevant, and so I decided on this degree program.
What were your studies like?
“After the Bachelor’s degree, I felt too young and inexperienced to start a career. That’s why I started a Master’s.”
I focused on agricultural policy and did my Bachelor’s thesis at the Institute of Agricultural Policy. I was always interested in how politics works, and that really helps me in my current job. Still, after my Bachelor’s I just didn’t feel ready to start a career and couldn’t imagine being a young academic and telling all the experienced people what they should do. Honestly, I didn’t feel much differently after my Master’s, but at least then I had a broader foundation of knowledge and more experience.
Honestly, I didn’t feel much differently after my Master’s, but at least then I had a broader foundation of knowledge and more experience.
What about experiences outside of the classroom?
I extended my studies for two semesters so I could gain more experience. I did my first internship with Intertek Foodservices GmbH in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, a second one with OVID in Berlin, and a third in the Bundestag. During my Master’s program in Agricultural Economics, I went to Copenhagen for a semester - for me, studying abroad is just part of an international Master’s program. I made use of the Master’s to gain more practical experience in agricultural policy.
What competences from your studies are important in your job today?
In many situations, I still draw on the broad knowledge from my Bachelor’s program. Especially the many presentations I had to do help - and the ones I did in English during my Master’s. Today, I find it very easy to present something.
When I think back on my studies in Hohenheim, I think of...
... a great time in Stuttgart. Especially the beautiful campus, but also the professors who helped me during my Bachelor’s thesis and got me enthusiastic for agricultural policy.
