Source: Monbijou Studio
"Try things out and also accept when something is different from what you had imagined."
Do you already know which career path is right for you? Do you know how to get there and which steps are up next? The BAM career fireside chats series invite alumni and other partners of BAM to an informal chat focusing on their career paths. Developed for BAM’s early career scientists, this series aims to help PhD students and postdocs figure out which career path would be best suited for them. We invite a wide range of professionals from different sectors, including science, industry and the public sector. Additionally, we aim to include different professional backgrounds. We ask our guests about their experiences and invite the audience to ask questions.
Dr Franziska Hanßke, you studied physical chemistry and now work as a production engineer - how does that fit together and what made you take this career step?
I came to my current profession in a somewhat roundabout way. During my association work, I got in touch with Jenoptik and before I knew it, my daily environment became the semiconductor industry. At first glance, that may not seem like an immediate fit, but almost all production steps there are based on physical or chemical processes. So it's quite practical to have a chemist on board.
What special memory/experience as a research assistant at BAM did you take with you?
The working group was just great, the common measuring times at external facilities welded us together. Once I was allowed to travel to Melbourne (Australia) with a colleague to work for 48 hours at the Australian Synchrotron. We didn't sleep more than three hours during the entire measurement period. For us, it was not only important to collect good data for ourselves, but also for our colleagues.
What career advice do you have for young scientists?
Try things out and also accept when something is different from what you had imagined. After my doctorate, I was sure that the job at the association would be a perfect match for me. Unfortunately, it turned out that association work and I were not such a good match. Now, as a manufacturing engineer, I'm right in my element.
Also, don't be put off, starting a career is not easy. But if you get out of your comfort zone a bit and think outside the box, it will work out.
Are you a former BAM researcher? Did you work at BAM while pursuing your Ph.D.? Did you partner with BAM on a research project?
Stay in touch with BAM by joining the Alumni@BAM network! Simply register online here.