Sebastian Preis chose to pursue his Informatics degree at IMC Krems to expand the knowledge he had acquired at technical college (HTL) and to gain international exposure. With a clear goal, curiosity for new challenges and a sense for future-oriented topics, he regarded the degree as both a valuable complement to his previous training and as a career launchpad. He focused on cloud technologies and artificial intelligence. Even during his bachelor studies, Sebastian stood out for his entrepreneurial mindset, practical orientation and international ambitions.
Story
Cloud, AI and Career
An internship with vision
In his fifth semester, Sebastian completed his internship at BMW AG in Munich. There he was able to apply his knowledge directly in practice and gain valuable professional experience. As an intern in IT enterprise architecture, he was responsible for reviewing and approving cloud solutions in line with internal and regulatory requirements. He also actively contributed to shaping the AI landscape of BMW Financial Services and developed his own AI application to optimise internal processes. His work further included the maintenance of existing cloud-based AI solutions, providing him with profound hands-on expertise in cloud architecture and artificial intelligence.
Alongside his internship, Sebastian dedicated himself to his bachelor thesis in collaboration with Natuvion GmbH. At the IMC Krems Career Links fair, he established direct contact with the company’s Managing Director, Gerhard Pronegg. A perfect synergy emerged: while Natuvion was seeking to develop an internal ESG reporting tool, the project aligned ideally with Sebastian’s planned thesis. He was impressed not only by the thematic fit but also by the company’s modernity and dynamism. The collaboration reflected the commitment to sustainability on both sides – an aspect of great personal significance to Sebastian.
International experience and voluntary engagement
Even before graduating, Sebastian gained international experience through a semester abroad in Haarlem, the Netherlands, where he specialised in cloud development. Supported by the International Office, this stay abroad became an enriching part of his degree, bringing him new professional networks and even a small project which he continues to manage to this day: an app that enables visitors to experience Amsterdam as an open-air architecture museum. This underlines the value of IMC Krems’ extensive partner network.
In addition to his studies and professional activities, Sebastian also volunteered as a software developer for UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) in Geneva. In this role, he developed interfaces for transcontinental customs trade and demonstrated not only his technical expertise but also a high degree of personal responsibility. For Sebastian, one thing is clear: without the solid academic foundation provided by IMC Krems, such an opportunity would have been unthinkable, as the degree prepared him optimally for international requirements.
Formative experiences
What Sebastian recalls most vividly are the highly practical projects. As part of a Capstone Project with Siemens, he worked on a machine learning model to forecast solar power production based on weather data – a project that significantly enhanced his problem-solving skills. He also found the specialisation in Business Informatics in his final semester to be a valuable addition. The specific knowledge he acquired, particularly within the SAP environment, opens numerous opportunities in both consulting and development.
Sebastian’s path is a striking example of how versatile the Informatics degree programme at IMC Krems is: from practical projects and international experience to prestigious internships. His dedication, combined with the support of the university, quickly took him from HTL graduate to a responsible role at BMW. His story underscores that at IMC Krems, academic study and practical application go hand in hand – and that opportunities are best seized with drive and foresight.
