A master’s thesis, a working student job and what makes consulting, consulting

My name is Lilli, I am 24 years old and have been a working student at Miebach since June 2025. I am currently writing my master's thesis on "Advanced Factory Planning: Combining Modern Approaches with Artificial Intelligence" in cooperation with Miebach. I first became aware of Miebach through various discussions with a professor from my master's program in "Global Supply Chain and Operations Management" at the Berlin School of Economics and Law. Miebach has a strong reputation at our university, not just for its expertise, but for actively supporting young talents. They have been cooperating with my university for quite some time. As I approached the end of my studies, I knew I wanted my thesis to bridge research and real-world relevance. In combination with my degree program, Miebach was the logical choice. 

To get up to speed, I joined Miebach as a working student in June. I used this time to gain a deeper understanding of Miebach’s way of working, so that I would be sufficiently prepared to start my research. 

My role as a working student gave me access to a wide range of projects and teams. This gave me insights into different projects and allowed me to learn a lot of new things. I had the opportunity to work with various analysis tools such as Power BI, LogHub, and the Miebach Advanced Planning Suite (MAPS). Working with these tools not only expanded my knowledge but also taught me how data is used in consulting to make informed decisions and reveal potential.  I particularly enjoyed working in project management. There, I saw how much coordination and structure goes into implementing new distribution locations and how important clear communication is for smooth processes.

A personal highlight so far has been supporting the launch of an international " Engineer Bootcamp ." It was particularly rewarding to be able to independently conduct test runs of the bootcamp and analyze errors to prepare the program for later standardization. At the same time, I worked in a supporting role within the team and was in close contact with our office in Oxford, which gave me valuable insights into international collaboration.

At Miebach, I was encouraged to think beyond my tasks, ask better questions, and help shape outcomes. My time so far has taught me a lot about how Miebach structures consulting projects, integrates innovations such as AI and automation, and supports clients in making their supply chains fit for the future.

From the very beginning, I appreciated the open and supportive culture at Miebach. I was welcomed, able to ask questions, contribute ideas, and received regular constructive feedback. One thing that impressed me about Miebach from the very beginning was how helpful all my colleagues were and, above all, how willingly they shared and imparted their knowledge – whether on small, technical questions or more comprehensive topics. I also receive a lot of support for my master's thesis. Colleagues give me helpful feedback, and I can draw on Miebach's broad network for interviews and suggestions. It is precisely this culture that has made it easy for me to learn new things, tackle challenges, and experience success together. 

My time at Miebach so far has shown me that consulting, above all, is a continuous learning process. Each project opens up new insights into different companies, industries, and challenges and requires you to quickly familiarize yourself with new topics. It's a great opportunity and a huge task at the same time. Not only have I vastly expanded my specialist knowledge, but I have also learned how important it is to research information in a targeted manner and to constantly expand my knowledge. I can wholeheartedly recommend Miebach to anyone looking to get started in consulting. In addition to exciting projects, the company offers an environment that actively promotes personal growth and continuous learning, and where you feel welcome right from the start.