From the BA and MA at FH JOANNEUM to Manila

Originally from Frohnleiten, Thomas has now been living in Manila for more than three years. His career has taken him from Google, on to Lazada, then to Agoda and now to Swapoo Labs, where Thomas manages a team of traders and quantitative analysts. With Swapoo Labs, he wants to set up a hedge fund focusing on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

In 2008 Thomas was still in Graz, starting as a BA student of International Management at FH JOANNEUM After finishing his BA, he went on to study Business in Emerging Markets (MA). Already in his studies, Thomas spent a lot of time abroad as parts of the study-abroad and the internship: five months in Singapore, twelve months in Thailand, and four months in Germany.

The international focus of both programmes – International Management (BA) and Business in Emerging Markets (MA) – was a decisive factor for Thomas to study at FH JOANNEUM. Thomas enjoyed his time here. About his fellow students, he says ‘smart, driven, and hungry’, and about the faculty of the Institute of International Business ‘highly regarded, inspiring, and successful’.

When asked about a typical instance of the programmes, Thomas mentions the smooth transition from being a student to entering the workforce.

Thomas encourages everyone to fully embrace the opportunities the BA and MA programmes offer. ‘Once graduated, put what you learn into practice, step outside your comfort zones, and continue to grow personally and professionally – and beyond borders’.

Thomas Bleimuth has followed his own advice.