Kaohsiung, Taiwan — On December 18, NSYSU was delighted to welcome back alumnus Bernhard Schnederle, former ACT program & IBMBA dual degree student and currently a Commercial Project Manager at STRABAG, who returned to campus to share his international career journey, lessons learned from working in highly technical industries without a technical background, and insights on navigating diverse professional environments.

Bernhard began by admitting humorously that he still “struggles to change a light bulb,” yet now works in the complex world of water treatment and infrastructure, proving that passion, adaptability, and curiosity can open unexpected doors. After graduating, he experienced uncertainty about career direction, feeling torn between different options and uninspired by earlier academic paths such as finance or accounting. However, studying abroad, stepping out of his comfort zone, and continuously reminding himself “What was I hired for in the first place?” helped him realign his goals and better understand his role in organizations.

From Business Development to Commercial Project Management

Bernhard shared his transition from business development to commercial project management, where he now serves as a key bridge between engineers, on-site workers, financial institutions, and governmental partners. Working across regions such as Ghana and Vietnam, he highlighted how cultural differences, decision-making speed, hierarchy, and bureaucracy can dramatically influence project timelines. One memorable example was how containers containing crucial equipment for a project were stuck in Ghanaian customs for three months due to a minor scanner malfunction, while in Vietnam, a similar-scale project could be completed within a year.

His work requires helping technical and non-technical professionals collaborate effectively, sometimes even humorously learning that an engineer may dislike a photo of an entire water plant, but greatly appreciate a precise photo of a single component.

Career Growth, Passion Projects, and Continuous Learning

Beyond his corporate role, Bernhard emphasized the importance of pursuing personal passions. During the pandemic lockdown, with his partner he co-founded “Asian Roots” a successful Asian grocery e-commerce platform in Austria that began in his living room and has now grown to offer one of the widest product selections in the country. He also contributes to organizations such as IWA and Water Positive to deepen his technical knowledge and even entered the bicycle industry as a business development representative of VooDoo Cycles Taiwan after spotting an opportunity on LinkedIn.

He contrasted working in small enterprises versus large multinational corporations, noting differences in flexibility, structure, accountability, and learning opportunities. Transitioning between work environments requires time, adaptability, and mental “buffer periods,” he shared.

Key Takeaways and Reflections

Bernhard encouraged students to:

• Find their niche and differentiate themselves
• Build strong professional relationships— “you will meet people at least twice in your life”
• Ask questions courageously and understand the reasoning behind frameworks
• Recognize limits, maintain work–life balance, and know when to stop and take a breath
• Continue learning and stay curious

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students appreciated Bernhard’s honesty, humor, and encouragement to explore boldly while staying grounded in purpose.