Mature Candidates for Business

If we believe job ads, the ideal profile of a future manager looks like this: Exams with distinction, advanced working knowledge of two foreign languages, a semester abroad, and lots of practical experience by the mid-twenties. If students focus too much on these qualities, other potential is wasted. The Bronnbach scholarship at Ruhr University Bochum shows future business economists, HR managers, and lawyers, but also scientists, engineers, or historians a completely new way of thinking by promoting their understanding of art and culture.

The award does not involve funding. Instead, each year’s 15 scholarship holders are invited to events like theater workshops, or to visit museums or galleries for modern contemporary art, and to talks with artists. This discussion promotes those skills which business managers need: Art trains the eye and teaches not to be misled by first impressions. Theater questions firmly held truths and encourages sensibility for moods or social constellations. Moreover, artwork inspires people to change perspectives and to risk more complex associations.

The Bronnbach Scholarship enables students to expand their horizons for two semesters on a total of 14 weekends, parallel to their studies. The idea came from the Association of Arts and Culture of the German Economy at the Federation of German Industries.