How did you get into the STEM field, and was there a particular experience or person who inspired you?

Entering the STEM field was a natural decision for me since I had already developed an interest in these subjects during school. I found it fascinating that the knowledge from these areas could be applied directly to everyday life, allowing me to better understand how the world around us works and what it is made of.

I didn’t have a particular experience or role model that inspired me. At my school, there were many girls who were good at science and technology, so I assumed I would see many of them again in college. However, during my studies and especially when I came into contact with the industry, I was shocked by how few young women were actually in STEM fields. Many women, despite having strong skills in STEM subjects, ultimately choose not to pursue a career in the field—which I find very unfortunate.

Which project or achievement in your career so far makes you particularly proud?

In my career so far, I am especially proud of the project I worked on during my PhD. Having the opportunity to conduct industry-related research was incredibly valuable to me. What makes me even prouder is that I was able to mentor several students during their internships and thesis work. This gave me the chance to contribute to their education in STEM and pass on my enthusiasm.

In my project, I successfully implemented an innovative measurement technique for local temperature monitoring in an existing "harsh and dirty" industrial environment. This highlights the fact that the industry is far from outdated—it is actively driving technological progress and innovation.

What changes or support measures would you like to see to encourage more young women to pursue STEM careers?

To inspire more young women to pursue STEM careers, I believe it is crucial to increase the visibility of women who are already successful in these fields. It is important to publicly showcase that women can be authentic and still—if not because of that—be successful. For a long time, I felt that I had to adopt “male” behaviors to advance in my career since leadership positions were mostly held by men. Unfortunately, I had very few female role models to look up to. However, in recent years, I have realized through conversations with other women that my more traditionally "feminine" traits bring valuable and important contributions to the workplace.

Additionally, the incredible diversity within the STEM field should be emphasized more. I firmly believe that STEM careers offer the widest range of career paths. The industry and research sectors in Germany and Europe are so diverse that there is a fitting path for almost everyone. I want to do my part in making this diversity more visible and encouraging women to bring their unique talents and perspectives into the STEM field.

Young Engineer Woman Award at HANNOVER MESSE