From the Football Field to Financial Restructuring
Student Snapshot: Anton Jacobs ’27
Anton Jacobs ’27 has built a Dickinson experience shaped by athletics, professional exploration and the relationships that have helped him grow. A double major in quantitative economics and international business and management, Anton has gained experience in global retail, automotive strategy and corporate consulting through internships with Lidl International, Volkswagen Group and Schaeffler. After graduating, he will return to Germany to begin a career in turnaround and restructuring with KPMG in Berlin.
Hometown:
Wernigerode, Germany.
High school:
Wyoming Seminary College Prep School.
Majors:
Quantitative economics and international business and management.
On Dickinson experience:
The best thing at Dickinson has been the people. Whether it is forming close relationships with professors, other students or finding friends for life, the people always push me to get better and learn new things every day.
Best thing about my majors:
I appreciate that the combination of quantitative economics and international business and management allows me to learn and apply quantitative methods while developing a strong theoretical understanding. I can then apply these methods to practical business problems through my international business courses.
On choosing Dickinson:
I was initially recruited to play football at Dickinson, and when it came down to deciding between Dickinson and other schools, the people here truly stood out to me. From the beginning, I knew the coaches would support me as a player throughout my time at Dickinson, no matter what. Looking back, that feeling was confirmed: the coaches and players continued to support me even after I stopped playing, and I am truly grateful for that.
About my internships:
My first internship was at Lidl International, where I gained initial experience in global retail operations. My second, and most interesting, internship was as a battery strategy intern at Volkswagen Group, where I explored industrial strategy and the complex challenges of product development and planning across fundamentally different markets. During my third internship, as an in-house consulting intern at Schaeffler, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in executing strategies and improving business performance.
Your involvement with Burgess:
As a Burgess Student Ambassador, I have participated in workshops and experiential learning activities and had the opportunity to meet many inspiring alumni. In my view, the Burgess Institute is all about improving the student experience and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in their future careers and lives. It has certainly done that for me, which is why I am proud to represent the institute as an ambassador.
Post-Dickinson plans:
After graduating this semester, I will move back to Germany and begin working as a turnaround and restructuring associate at KPMG in Berlin. In this role, I will help companies experiencing significant financial and strategic challenges by securing liquidity and developing a path forward. I am especially looking forward to tackling challenging problems and diving deeper into the financial side of businesses.
Your Dickinson experience:
Three experiences have had a particularly significant impact on me. First, being a football player was an unbelievable experience. The constant challenges helped shape my identity, and I made some of my closest friends through the team. Second, my involvement with Burgess opened many doors for personal and professional development through its activities and the connections it fosters. Finally, the people at Dickinson have been amazing, and they are what make every day here special.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
During my sophomore football season, I suffered my second and third concussions and made the decision to stop playing. Although that decision took courage, I struggled mentally with no longer being able to fulfill my commitment to the team as a starter and with the void that leaving football created in my life. What I am most proud of is overcoming those challenges with the tremendous support of the people around me.
What I’m most grateful for:
During my time in the United States, I have learned a lot about gratitude, especially for the people and challenges that shape who you become. Without my amazing parents and their continuous support for my decisions, I would never have had the opportunity to come to the United States and have the experience of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to them.
Clubs and organizations:
Football, Student Investment Group, International Business and Management Majors Committee, Quantitative Reasoning Associates (QRA) and teaching assistant, and Burgess Student Ambassador.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Ben James Rookie of the Year, Dickinson International Student Grant and a Dickinson merit scholarship.
Read more Student Snapshots.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published October 13, 2026