Our FIM alumni Caroline Wetzstein shares her inspiring career story
Interviewer: Caroline, it’s great to have you with us today. Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about your educational background and current role?
Caroline Wetzstein: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be here. My name is Caroline Nicoletta Wetzstein, and I am currently working as the IT Governance and Coordination Manager at Allianz SE Holding IT. I’ve been part of Allianz for several years, starting my journey in IT project management, then moving into consulting, and now working at the group level. In terms of education, I completed my Master of Science with honors from the Finance and Information Management (FIM) program at the Technical University of Munich. The FIM program was incredibly formative for me, not only because of the variety of topics it covered but also due to the international experiences and mentorship opportunities it provided.
Interviewer: You mentioned that FIM was quite formative. Could you tell us more about your time at FIM and how it helped shape your career?
Caroline Wetzstein: Absolutely. My studies at FIM gave me a great overview of a wide variety of topics in finance and information systems, which I found to be very complementary to each other. I had the opportunity to do several internships and a research project abroad, where I learned how to apply my skills in real-world settings. The international experiences were especially valuable. Allianz, being such a global company, mirrors that international dynamic, and the exposure I gained during FIM has been extremely helpful.
One of the most important relationships I formed during FIM was with my mentor, Max Röglinger. He not only guided me through my academic journey but also introduced me to professional research work. We even published a paper together, which was a fantastic experience and something I am really proud of.
Interviewer: It sounds like FIM set a strong foundation for your career. What led you to pursue IT project management, and how did your journey at Allianz begin?
Caroline Wetzstein: My internships during FIM played a key role in shaping my decision. I realized that I enjoyed the challenge of acting as a “translator” between IT projects and management. So, I started my career as a Project Manager at AZ Technology, focusing on infrastructure projects. I wanted to understand the core of IT, how things work behind the scenes, and that role gave me a great technical foundation.
After three years, I transitioned to Allianz Consulting, our in-house consultancy. This was a fantastic opportunity to grow further and shift my focus towards IT service management, process optimization, business process management, and financial management. I also started leading teams on my projects, which brought its own set of challenges and rewards. One of the bigger challenges was balancing work with family life, but that’s something many of us experience.
Recently, in August, I took on a new role in Holding IT at Allianz SE. This position allows me to bring all my previous experiences together and apply them at a group-wide level.
Interviewer: Mentorship seems to have been important to you. How has it influenced your career, and how do you approach mentoring others?
Caroline Wetzstein: Mentorship has been incredibly important in my journey. As I mentioned, Max Röglinger was my mentor during my time at FIM, and his guidance was invaluable. Having someone to bounce ideas off of, who can also provide a broader perspective, has really shaped my decisions.
For me, mentorship isn’t just about having an official mentor; it’s also about mentoring others. I’ve always tried to mentor people on the teams I’ve led, as well as younger colleagues I stay in touch with. I think it’s crucial to help others navigate their career paths, just like I was helped. Networking has also been significant. At Allianz, we have a big FIM network, and we regularly exchange ideas and support each other, which is a huge value.
Interviewer: You’ve worked in roles that balance technical and financial aspects. How do you manage these two components, especially in a complex organization like Allianz?
Caroline Wetzstein: It’s definitely a balancing act. Most of my roles so far have been within Allianz Technology, which provides IT services to other Allianz entities globally. The main challenge is to ensure that the IT services we provide are specifically tailored to the needs of the insurance industry, while also being standardized to reduce costs.
To manage this, I believe it’s essential to have strong analytical skills. You need to understand the technical background of the problems that arise and also know enough about IT to grasp the solutions, identify risks, and come up with potential mitigations. FIM prepared me well for this by giving me a deep understanding of both technical and financial topics, so I’ve been able to work effectively as a “translator” between these different areas for management.
Interviewer: You’ve been an advocate for women in leadership, particularly in IT. What advice would you give to women aspiring to similar roles?
Caroline Wetzstein: My advice would be simple: just do it! Every day I see how much value it brings to have more women in leadership positions, particularly in IT. I truly believe that this field offers equal opportunities for both men and women, although it does depend on the company’s environment.
For women who are just starting out in IT, I would suggest considering a consultancy or trainee position as a good entry point. These roles offer broad exposure to different parts of the business, and they allow you to build a strong foundation. From there, be broad in your expertise but also aim to become an expert in the areas you are passionate about. The freedom FIM gave me for internships and research phases was invaluable for exploring practical viewpoints and scientific options, and I’d encourage others to seek out similar experiences.
Interviewer: It’s been fascinating hearing about your journey. Is there anything else you’d like to share, particularly for those interested in IT project management or working at Allianz?
Caroline Wetzstein: I’d just like to add that IT project management and IT controlling are fields with immense potential, especially within a global organization like Allianz. There are always opportunities to innovate and optimize, and if anyone wants to know more about my experiences or about Allianz, I’m always happy to chat or provide guidance.
Interviewer: Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your experiences and insights. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
Interview Credits: Eimaan Aamir
Apply now for our FIM program: www.mgt.tum.de/programs/master-in-finance-information-management
