A Master's in Business Education alongside self-employment and family life: Maria Merenidis talks about her path to graduation

Self-employed entrepreneur, two children and the goal of teaching at a vocational school: Maria was looking for a study program that suited her life situation. In July 2026, she completed her master's degree in Business Pedagogics She successfully completed her studies at the Allensbach Hochschule. She tells in her personal experience report how she successfully combined the different requirements, how she felt supported, and what she takes away from her studies.

What motivated you to study economics?

As an independent entrepreneur and mother of two children, it is part of my daily routine to balance different tasks and responsibilities. With the master’s degree, I wanted to develop professionally and personally and prepare for my intended path into the teaching profession at vocational schools.

What particularly appeals to me is being able to communicate economic content in a comprehensible way and to accompany young people on their professional path. My studies gave me the opportunity to more closely link economic and pedagogical issues together.

Why did you choose Allensbach University?

For me, what was crucial was being able to combine studying with my career and family life. Regular in-person attendance would have been difficult to achieve under these conditions. Therefore, time flexibility, a comprehensible study plan, and reliable support were particularly important to me.

Looking back, I am very satisfied with my choice. The course was structured in a clear and logical way. This clear structure helped me to orient myself and approach the requirements step by step.

How did you organize your studies, self-employment, and family life?

Balancing the various requirements was my biggest challenge. For this, I needed organization and self-initiative. The learning effort varied depending on the study phase.

My most important insight is that you don’t have to accomplish everything at once. Dividing larger tasks into manageable steps makes studying more planable. Looking back, I would consciously plan more time buffer for intensive study periods.

How did you experience the support in distance learning?

Whenever questions arose, I received immediate help. This also made me feel well supported during my distance learning course. Especially when working alongside my career, it’s a great relief to be able to quickly get answers to any questions I might have.

I found the lecturers to be technically competent, dedicated, and helpful. I would particularly like to highlight the supervision of my master's thesis by Dr. Jens Soemers. His helpful suggestions and quick responses were a valuable support for me.

What topic did you research in your master's thesis?

In my master's thesis, I investigated the professional future fears of apprentices in the trade of office management related to AI. In doing so, I was able to combine scientific work with a current economic pedagogical question.

Working with the perspectives of apprentices has sharpened my perspective on the importance of understandable explanations, individual support, and fostering self-confidence in learning.

What does the degree mean for you personally and for your professional goals?

In July 2026, I successfully completed my Master's degree in economic education. Having achieved this degree alongside my self-employment and my responsibilities as a mother of two children makes me especially proud.

I bring valuable insights with me for my goal of teaching at a vocational school. I see the benefit primarily in being able to view professional content from the perspective of the learners. Overall, the study was a valuable professional and personal development for me.

What tips would you like to give to prospective students?

Plan realistic study times and take your professional and family obligations into account. Get an overview of the modules and exam requirements early on so that you can plan your next steps effectively.

And I take advantage of the support provided by the university and the lecturers. Ask early if something is unclear. The clear study structure and the quick help have noticeably relieved me during my studies.