10 March 2026

From Challenge to Calling: KLU Alumnus Till Micke’s Journey into Business Ethics

From struggling with academic writing to pursuing a PhD in Business Ethics, Till Marvin Micke’s journey is anything but linear. A KLU Bachelor alumnus (2018) and now a PhD student at the University of Hamburg, Till researches the intersection of philosophy, responsibility, and business practice, exploring how ethical theory can create real-world impact—from digital trust in AI to organizational training and leadership. Reflecting on his time at KLU, he credits the close-knit campus, professors who offered honest feedback, and a supportive alumni network that opened doors to internships, housing, friendships, and his first full-time role—a reminder that growth often begins with challenge and that strong academic communities and lifelong networks can make all the difference.

Name: Till Marvin Micke
Position & Company: PhD Student in Business Ethics, University of Hamburg
Program, year: BSc Management, 2018

Best about my degree program:

Looking back on my study time, I am reminded of the international environment, the sweet, small campus with virtually no unknown face, and teachers that care. And, as someone very eager to engage with my own university and participate in developing it for the better, the short communication channels were awesome. I also love those things that you only appreciate in hindsight and didn’t think to be so important during your studies. Firstly, the quality of networks and research, that is relevant to practice, is such a strong suit. It has been great to watch KLU develop and extend the definition of what relevant disciplines play a role in delivering 21st century business education. Furthermore, I continued my path in public universities. So, fast, pragmatic and low-hierarchy collaboration with administration and faculty is something I miss a lot these days. From my first internship, to finding a room in Hamburg twice, lasting friendships and my first full-time job – all of these were experiences that I made via the KLU alumni network during my time at KLU. This connection is definitely the asset worth cultivating.

Best about my job:

I am currently a researcher combining philosophy with applied theory on responsibility and business practice. My work examines moral, economic, and organizational dimensions, drawing on both academic scholarship and practical professional experience. This interdisciplinary approach reflects exactly the kind of ideas and contributions I aspired to pursue during my PhD. And I have the privilege to do this according to my own standards and preferences. To give an example how some of the research I am interested in, and how it translates into practice: When I worked with the Wittenberg Centre for Global Ethics we were hired by a large car manufacturer from the south of Germany to conduct a project about "Digital Trust". This project was motivated by the two insights on the side of the AI Ethics department on the client side 1) that the future of passenger cars would be much more akin to a piece of software on wheels than the conventional offline vehicles, and therefore would lead to a number of challenges with data security, privacy, and safety that we usually know from other industries, and 2) that successfully maneuvering those challenges is dependent on a form of trust that rewards genuine commitments to the integrity of digital processes. Our task was to develop a training intervention that would be able to raise awareness on these insights throughout the organization.

How KLU helped me get there:

One of the most important lessons I learned during my time at KLU is that abilities are not fixed. Skills that do not come naturally at first can develop over time - especially in an environment that combines high expectations with honest feedback and close personal guidance. My own experience with academic research is a good example of this. At the beginning of my studies, writing research papers did not come easily to me. I still remember my first research paper with Prof. Sönke Albers. I had written it too quickly and had not prepared properly. His feedback was accordingly clear: “Das ist nicht gut, Herr Micke.” It was obvious that he had expected more. Even later, academic writing was not my strongest skill. At my graduation, one professor told me that—based on my writing style - he would not necessarily recommend an academic career for me (despite my bachelor’s thesis receiving a grade of 1.0). Today, I am a PhD student. What made this possible was not that research came naturally to me, but the learning environment at KLU. Professors set high standards and gave direct feedback when work did not meet them, while at the same time providing close interaction and personal guidance. When I worked on my bachelor’s thesis, my goal was simply to write a convincing and somewhat original piece of work. Prof. Tröster encouraged that ambition and guided me through the process. That experience showed me that skills can develop over time - even in areas that initially feel challenging. Beyond academics, the KLU alumni network and the Personal Development modules also played an important role in shaping my career decisions. They encouraged me to begin my professional path as a management consultant in change management. This position later proved to be highly formative for my career and therefore represents a direct link between my time at KLU and where I am today.

How do you incorporate an "Operations Mindset" in your current field?

In my understanding, what KLU calls “operations mindset” is tailored to the demands of a successful leader in today’s organization, embedded in social and ecological demands. I am currently an individual working on my own PhD thesis, sometimes debating with other researchers, but honestly, mostly working alone. Thus, little of the aspects of “operations mindset” applies to me the same way as it does to you if you work as a business manager. It is possible, however, to link what I am interested in to business ethics research within the “operations mindset”. I see a lot of potential for doing a lot of “good” in the world, if a leader follows this mindset. The holistically minded, responsible leader, following evidence-driven advice in hands-on challenges faces a lot of conflicting demands in today’s business environment. It is surely interesting to question how an individual could ever personify the perfect “operations mindset” leader. What I care about in my research are the right conditions to allow an “operations mindsets” in business to flourish – i.e., what traits in individuals, and what organizational conditions help you and me to follow this ambition.