Between Textbooks and the Real World
How does a career in tax or auditing actually begin? For Simone Prinzen, it started with a surprising spark: “I joined PwC because of a fellow student. Her stories from the job fascinated me.” What began by chance soon became her passion. After studying at the University of St. Gallen and completing the challenging training to become a Swiss Certified Tax Expert, she is now Managing Director of Tax, Legal and Workforce Services at PwC Switzerland.
Still, her path wasn’t a given: “It was tough. But once I was in the job, each step felt like a logical progression.” The key, she says, was the blend of theory and practice – something that still shapes how she approaches student engagement today: “People think taxes are dry. But in reality, they’re about current, socially relevant questions.”
Korbinian Petzi, now 15+ years in audit, had a similar motivation: “I didn’t want to get to know just one company, I wanted to see many. That’s what drew me to auditing.” Today, he works primarily with SMEs and family-owned businesses in the tri-border region around Basel. What makes it special? “These companies operate differently than large corporations. It’s about people, processes, and long-term strategy.”
Despite working in different areas, both leaders share the same philosophy: the bridge between university and the world of work begins well before the first job contract. “When I meet students,” says Prinzen, “I want to show them, openly and honestly, what our day-to-day looks like. So they can truly see the opportunities their studies open up.”
Thesis Projects: Spotting Opportunities, Connecting with Practice
For many students, the bachelor’s or master’s thesis is the final step before graduation – often stressful, but also full of untapped potential for real-world connection.
Simone Prinzen remembers her own experience: “I was already working while writing my thesis. That was a mistake. My advice? Finish your degree first, then start working. Life is long. The job will still be there.”
Today, she’s frequently contacted by students for expert interviews during their thesis research. One standout experience? “A former intern wrote a master’s thesis on global minimum taxation. Thanks to his previous experience with us, it went extremely well.”
For Prinzen, the key is targeted involvement, not full immersion: “Expert interviews work great. A full company partnership isn’t realistic timewise. And in the end, the thesis is evaluated by the professor, not us.” Korbinian Petzi agrees – with one important condition: “Mutual respect. If a student shows up prepared, with specific questions and genuine curiosity, they leave a lasting impression.”
So, what should students write about? Both suggest tax-related topics with real-world relevance – like minimum taxation, pension funds, or trade risks. “These are fast-moving issues,” Petzi says, “with high societal relevance and real research potential. Students can genuinely contribute here.”
But how do students and companies actually connect? “We need better coordination,” says Prinzen. “When students come in with clear goals and proper preparation – ideally backed by their university – that’s when real value is created.”
A common problem? Timing.
“Often, we only hear about great thesis projects once they’re already completed,” warns Prinzen. “By then, the talent’s gone.”
This is where platforms like Studyond can play a role – by making topics and talent visible earlier and creating momentum for collaboration.
And their advice to students deep in the writing process?
“Don’t stress too much. Go have a coffee, take a walk — and then get back to writing.”
– Simone Prinzen
“Come prepared. Know what you want to ask. That’s how you make the most of the time.”
– Korbinian Petzi
Changing Career Paths: When Speed Meets Substance
The fields of tax and audit are undergoing major shifts – not just technologically. Simone Prinzen puts it with a smile: “When I started, we still used typewriters.” Now? AI-powered analytics, digitized processes, and higher expectations for efficiency, especially for junior employees. “The kinds of basic tasks juniors used to learn from are now done by systems. So the question is: how do we still bring people up to speed?” This is where academia and industry must work more closely together.
Korbinian Petzi has seen the evolution firsthand: “We used to carry paper files to client meetings. Now, we work hybrid, data-driven, connected.” For mid-sized companies in particular, he sees huge opportunity: “You’re close to decision-makers, you can support topics end-to-end, and you build long-term trust.”
In a world where knowledge updates itself almost daily, new skills come to the fore: resilience, communication, data fluency. Or, as Petzi puts it: “Students who prepare proactively and communicate openly – those are the people you remember. And that can open doors.”
What’s Next: Transfer Starts with Mindset, Not a Slide Deck
Their final message? The connection between university and industry is not a one-off project. It’s a process with structure, timing, and responsibility.
“Not everyone in practice can take on an entire thesis project,” says Simone Prinzen. “But with the right coordination, we can absolutely contribute value.”
And when things get tough – be it motivation, communication, or topic clarity?
“Just start. Spend a few focused days on a topic, and you’ll already know more than 95% of others," says Korbinian Petzi.