Coding, coaching, ironman
Matej Svaral is the latest recipient of an ESOP fellowship to pursue his Master’s at D-MTEC. He’s not one to do things half-heartedly. Besides studying, he actively participates in the community as MSA co-president and has an ironclad plan for a leadership career after his studies. That may have something to do with being a triathlete, too.
Matej Svaral joined the MSc MTEC programme at ETH in September 2024. He arrived with a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems from TU Munich, an exchange semester in Singapore, and internship experience at Infineon and Porsche. After earning an ESOP fellowship from the ETH Foundation, he is one step closer to a coveted leadership career in the tech sector.
“I have always been interested in topics at the intersection of business and computer science,” Svaral says. “The main reason for my choice was a conversation with a friend who started studying at D-MTEC a year before me. He shared his positive experience, particularly the supportive community and the ambitious atmosphere at ETH.”
Svaral’s aims are clear. He wants to integrate his computer science background with management theory and practical leadership. He expects to hone soft skills, including teamwork, communication, and presentation. Group work especially appeals to him as a setting where he can practically develop his leadership style.
“I like seeing people push beyond their limits, which is why I support them with coaching, training, and encouragement.”Matej Svaral
His ambition and the MSc MTEC ecosystem push him beyond the classroom. “I enjoy being a part of the MTEC community and contributing to it,” he says, reflecting on the “Ersti Weekend”, an informal bonding experience organised by the MTEC Student Association (MSA) that helped him settle in. Svaral is now MSA co-president. He also guides his fellow students through the MSc MTEC Mentoring Programme.
He also invests time in triathlon training, combining travel and endurance sports. This year, he even completed an Ironman in Copenhagen. He looks ahead with steady ambition: “I like seeing people push beyond their limits, which is why I support them with coaching, training, and encouragement.” A handy passion for a future leader.