It has been clear to both of them for a long time: they want to study something scientific. Faduma Nur and Mira Grüner from Darmstadt don't yet know what exactly. That's why you decided to take part in the Hessen-Technikum. They spend six months in companies getting to know the everyday working life that they could face after studying science. At the same time, they complete a trial course at one of the five universities of applied sciences in Hesse.
The programme, which runs annually from October to March, is designed for young women like Nur and Grüner who have just completed their A-levels or technical college entrance qualification and would like to get started in the MINT sector. The participants, the so-called technicians, complete the trial course in all Degree Courses in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (MINT) that the university of their choice offers.
This year's cohort includes 26 female engineering students from four universities, with the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen supporting four of them. They all officially began their engineering programme at the THMcampus in Friedberg at the beginning of October and have had the opportunity to get to know each other and various female role models from the scientific community.
In addition to the official greeting of all young women, a tour of the campus and an interactive lecture, discussions with scientists were the main component of the kick -off. Prof. Dr. Linda Beukemann from the THM from the Department Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Data Processing had the technicians experienced “graphs in action”. The doctorate in the mathematician had taken the participants into the world of math with various pencil tasks, all of which came from graph theory - from the "house from Nikolaus" to optimal route planning.
Later, in a group discussion with some female technicians, she reported on her math studies and her path through various stations, such as the Mathematikum in Giessen and as a software developer in a company, to a professorship at the THM. Among other things, Faduma Nur wanted to know whether she had ever experienced sexism, which Beukemann denied. "Mathematics students are 50 percent female. The important thing is to know what you can do and to confidently represent your own knowledge. I have always enjoyed studying. Gender should not play a role," she encouraged the young women. An important insight emerged during the interviews for the technicians, a insight also expressed by the other female scientists: dropping out of university is not a big deal.
In addition to Prof. Dr. Linda Beukemann stood Laura Binz, former technician and studied food technologist, Julia Gahler, who studied electrical engineering and works at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences in the electrical engineering and information technology Department , as well as molecular biologist Dr. Magdalena Herová from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences available for questions.
Dr. Herová also gave the central keynote speech of the afternoon. She reported on her work with the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), her exciting career and her not always straight path to her current job.
Beukemann can only recommend that the new technicians study at a university of applied sciences: “It is very practical and you will quickly gain professional experience thanks to the company internships.” For the 22 young women, the exciting thing is now beginning Find the right course and location.