Meet Lucas Vogel, Editor and Stockholm School of Economics Student

By Pavel Kantorek Updated Apr 30, 2016

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Introduction
The Stockholm School of Economics: Something a Little Bit Different

The financial services sector is a rich breeding ground and much-favored destination for MBA candidates. Those coming from within it can bring key insights to the classroom. However, they are not the only demographic who can bring a profound and substantial understanding of the sector.

Lucas Vogel, currently studying an executive MBA at the Stockholm School of Economics, is representative of an alternative pool of experts: financial journalism. He currently serves as deputy editor-in-chief of Finanzen Verlag GmbH, which was part of Axel Springer AG (to which Bild belongs) until a private buy-out in 2010. It is Germany's number-two newspaper for finance and business.

“As a print journalist specialized in financial topics I can bring a deep understanding of financial markets and macro trends into the classroom,” he reflects. However, this is not all his editorial experience allows him to bring the table – financial journalism being, like all forms of journalism, a creative business. “This has implications in terms of issues like motivation and performance measurement.” Remaining a survivor in a market which has taken considerable battering in the past decade is also a something of a badge of honor.

So, a representative of financial journalism can bring a lot to the classroom, what does the classroom – and an MBA program as a whole – have to offer back? The answer is closely tied in with the last point. “In my position, more business-related issues must be addressed as well as editorial ones. You have to think more about the strategic positioning of your product and value creation for the company. “

To this he adds that he is looking to sure up his leadership skills, given that he stands at the head of a team of 30 people at one of Germany's leading business newspapers.

These are areas which are, of course, pertinent to anyone working in a senior editorial role, not just those working in the field of financial journalism. Vogel says the paradigm is similar to that of engineering. “Most leading editors are promoted on knowledge and skill in editorial matters. They know very little about leadership, budgeting and other things that are essential for managers at the operational level.” It is not uncommon for editors to move to predominantly business roles later in their careers he adds, affirming the long-term value of the MBA to this less-traditional demographic.

The Stockholm School of Economics: Something a Little Bit Different

Vogel opted for the Stockholm School of Economics’ MBA program as the executive format fitted well around his continuing professional obligations. The school’s appeal was increased furthermore by the fact it offered a scholarship in association with Welt – another newspaper under the Axel Springer AG umbrella – which was awarded to Vogel in 2012.

Vogel attended the QS World MBA and Executive MBA Tour in Frankfurt on October 26th to represent his school and to offer guidance and advice to attendees. We asked him before the fair why he had chosen to represent the school at the event? “I am attending the fair to help Stockholm School of Economics to spread the word – there is an alternative to German or Anglo-Saxon MBAs. It can help your résumé to strike a different note; if you tell someone you’re doing an MBA in Germany or the UK, people will only ask one or two questions. If you, on the other hand, say you’ve studied your MBA in Sweden, people are really eager to learn more.” He adds that Stockholm is a beautiful city and a great place from which to explore Scandinavia.

As a final piece of advice, on what should candidates focus when speaking to him and other students and alumni? “Applicants should focus their questions on practical things; things like my experience with Swedish culture and the workload that is going to come with an MBA.”

There is one established truth (okay, maybe two) that ring out from Vogel’s story, both of which are worth reiterating: for non-traditional candidates entering management roles, the MBA can impart invaluable skills with long-term benefits, and candidates need not limit their search to their home country and the traditional Anglophone big hitters – the right school for you might be somewhere completely different!

Written by

Pavel Kantorek

Mansoor is a contributor to and former editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and business education specialist, who has been published in media outlets around the world. He studied English literature at BA and MA level and has a background in consumer journalism.