Alumnus, Philipp Zimmer: From KLU to the World Bank, Philipp's Journey in Tech and Humanitarian Aid

KLU can take you far! Discover the career paths and life choices of our KLU Alumni in our new Alumni series. Here, our alumni tell us more about their way after their studies at KLU – and how their time here influenced their future paths. Get to know Philipp Zimmer (BSc Management, 2020) where Philipp credits his time at KLU for shaping his academic and professional trajectory, with mentorship and hands-on opportunities laying the foundation for his groundbreaking work of leveraging artificial intelligence in humanitarian aid and development projects at the World Bank.

Name: Philipp Zimmer
Degree: Bachelor in Management, Class of 2020
Position, Company: Data Science Consultant, The World Bank

Best About My Degree Program:

My time at KLU for the bachelor’s program was an incredibly formative experience. What stood out most were the small cohort size and the excellent faculty. Despite being a young institution, KLU combines committed teachers and world-class researchers, creating a unique learning environment. I’m especially grateful for mentors like Prof. Alexander Himme and Prof. Maria Besiou. Prof. Himme accompanied me throughout my three years, helping me secure my first summer internship at Siemens through his research connections, which kickstarted my career in advanced analytics. Maria was one of the reasons I chose KLU—I admired her research even before enrolling. Her guidance shaped my academic and professional trajectory, helping me secure internships at the UN and guiding me to apply for a dual master’s program at MIT. KLU also equipped me with the invaluable skill of “selling” my work—telling a compelling story about the projects I work on and why they matter. This ability has been critical in my career.

What’s Best About My Job:

Currently, I work in an applied research team at the World Bank which is building global public goods that leverage state-of-the-art AI technology to advance international development work across various sectors, such as food insecurity. What I find most fulfilling is the operational impact of my work. I see how our technical tools, such as food insecurity prediction models, being directly used by regional teams to make decisions and allocate resources. This tangible link between research and real-world action motivates me daily. Unlike some roles where great work remains unused, here, I feel that my efforts contribute to meaningful change. Knowing that my work has a downstream effect is incredibly powerful and fulfilling.

How KLU Helped Me Get There:

KLU offers all the opportunities you could imagine for a small institution, but success depends on how you utilize them. I liken it to a five-star buffet, you have to get up and serve yourself. KLU gave me access to exceptional resources, from career services to an alumni network, and I made a point of leveraging them. These experiences equipped me with the skills to navigate the niche field I’m in today. KLU taught me that good work is just the baseline; what sets you apart is how you communicate and apply that work. Remaining proactive and seeking mentorship has been key to my journey, and KLU provided the perfect foundation for this.

Your Advice to Current Students at KLU:

Studying at KLU was a transformative experience that shaped my academic and professional journey. My advice to current students? Step outside your comfort zone and embrace unexpected opportunities. Breaking into my highly specialized field wasn’t straightforward, it required detours. During my time at KLU, I gained valuable skills through roles at Siemens and Kearney, which, though not my ultimate goal, prepared me for success. Siemens honed my technical problem-solving, while Kearney developed my strategic thinking.

Secondly, success isn’t always linear. Early in my career, feeling stuck in an internship, I proactively reached out to professionals on LinkedIn. This bold step landed me an internship at the UN—a pivotal moment. Don’t wait for opportunities; create them. Take full advantage of KLU’s resources, seek mentorship, and embrace detours as steppingstones. KLU provides the tools, but it’s up to you to use them to carve your unique path.