Lecture series from "Ladies in MINT"
Dear students, our lecture series "IngenieurINNENwelten" is starting! We would like to invite you to join us!
During the lectures, women will talk about their experiences in the still male-dominated world of technology and science. They will talk about the challenges, opportunities, lessons and anecdotes from their everyday working lives in order to provide students in particular with insights and inspiration. We thank and look forward to the exciting guests!
The lectures are organised by Professors Dr.-Ing. Andrea Upmann (FB6) and Dr.-Ing. Pamela Stöcker (FB8) as well as Dipl.-Ing. Katrin Brittner (FB6). Thanks also go to the support of the female professors programme under Ms Berg and the "Ladies in MINT" programme of the Equal Opportunities Office.
7. Veranstaltung | Mittwoch, 15. Mai 2024, 17:00 - 19:00 Uhr
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Raum O0211
Lecture "Just do it!"
or "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm."- Henry Ford | Dipl.-Ing. (TH) Betty Cherian-Oddo
The plant manager of "Pilot Plants" (prototype construction) at Ford Werke GmbH, Betty Cherian-Oddo, made her way into the male-dominated automotive world by training as an industrial mechanic. She then successfully completed a degree in "Production and Manufacturing Technology" at RWTH Aachen University. Her professional career led her back to her training company Ford. Internally, she gained extensive experience in the production areas and in the area of "Strategy and Business Transformation".
As the mother of a 7-year-old daughter, she is proud to have always worked full-time, successfully balancing her job, her family and her sporting activities several times a week.
The determined woman emphasises: "It's up to us to inspire the next generation for our professions and companies!" In her presentation, she shares her life story, her areas of work and the attitude that has led to her success. She is convinced that the motto "Just do it!" can open many doors and overcome fears.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de.
However, participation is also possible spontaneously without pre-registration.
6. Veranstaltung | Mittwoch, 17. April 2024, 17:30 - 18:30 Uhr
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Raum O0211
Lecture "Just do it!"
or "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm."- Henry Ford | Dipl.-Ing. (TH) Betty Cherian-Oddo
The plant manager of "Pilot Plants" (prototype construction) at Ford Werke GmbH, Betty Cherian-Oddo, made her way into the male-dominated automotive world by training as an industrial mechanic. She then successfully completed a degree in "Production and Manufacturing Technology" at RWTH Aachen University. Her professional career led her back to her training company Ford. Internally, she gained extensive experience in the production areas and in the area of "Strategy and Business Transformation".
As the mother of a 7-year-old daughter, she is proud to have always worked full-time, successfully balancing her job, her family and her sporting activities several times a week.
The determined woman emphasises: "It's up to us to inspire the next generation for our professions and companies!" In her presentation, she shares her life story, her areas of work and the attitude that has led to her success. She is convinced that the motto "Just do it!" can open many doors and overcome fears.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de.
However, participation is also possible spontaneously without pre-registration.
5th event | Wednesday, 22 November 2023, 5 - 6 p.m.
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Room O0211
Lecture "Master / Doctorate - is it worth it?"
Prof Katharina Schmitz
"Knowledge is the best way to keep pace in a rapidly changing world." This is the key message from our Consultant Katharina Schmitz. Many people may be familiar with the warning from their personal environment or from friends: "Don't get any further qualifications or you'll be overqualified!"
In her lecture, Ms Schmitz will shed light on the topic of further qualification after the Bachelor's degree and provide insights into academic life at university. Using best practices from her own career path, she would like to give you ideas on how to plan your career and not be discouraged by prejudices, setbacks or uncertainties.
Ms Schmitz is the head of the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems and holds the chair of the same name at RWTH Aachen University. She is also Vice Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering there.
She studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University and at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (USA). After completing her degree, she worked as a Research Assistant and Deputy Senior Engineer at the Institute of Fluid Power Drives and Controls.
In 2015, she completed her doctorate as Dr.-Ing. and began an industrial career in a family business, where she worked as technical director before accepting a position at RWTH Aachen University in 2018. She is a mother of 3 children and knows the challenge of balancing work and family life well.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de.
However, participation is also possible spontaneously without pre-registration.
4th event | Wednesday, 8 November 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Room O0211
Lecture "Unmanned aerial systems, management and family: an engineer reports
Dr Johanna Holsten
We are delighted to present a very special lecture by Dr Johanna Holsten. The former graduate and research assistant at RWTH Aachen University is now the successful Executive Director of flyXdrive GmbH. In close cooperation with her former university, she is working on 3D mobility solutions and unmanned aerial vehicles.
You can read our news article on this lecturehere.
Her presentation will highlight her groundbreaking work and scientific advances as well as her personal journey and the challenges she faces as an Executive Director and mother.
Her professional expertise through the development, implementation and safe operation of fully automated, highly efficient flight systems within her company will enable her to answer all technical questions and bring us closer to the topic. But her personality and the way she combines work and family can also provide valuable insights and support.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de.
Participation is also possible without pre-registration.
3rd event | Wednesday, 11 October 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Room O0211
Lecture "When a profession becomes a vocation"
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julia Kessler
Julia Kessler is a former doctoral candidate and research assistant at FB8 and co-founder of the GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing. She also founded IwF GmbH, an affiliated Institute of FH Aachen, of which she is now Executive Director. She currently works as a professor for additive manufacturing at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.
Her lecture shows how dreams can change, new opportunities arise and how you can tackle all challenges with willpower and courage.
You can read our news article on this lecturehere.
Ms Kessler has set herself the goal of showing young women that, despite the continuing minority in the mechanical engineering sector, women play an important role in both science and business.
The lecture deals with the career of Mrs Kessler, who had the dream of studying veterinary medicine during her A-levels, although teachers, friends and family saw her in other fields.
Veterinary medicine became biomedical engineering, followed by a master's degree in mechanical engineering and finally a doctoral thesis and professorship in this field.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de.
Participation is also possible spontaneously without pre-registration.
2nd event | Monday, 22 May 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen, Room O0211
"Where do you want to go? Many paths, many possibilities!"
Angela Luft
Our first Consultant is Angela Luft, a doctoral candidate at FH Aachen specialising in "Additive Manufacturing Technologies in Production Systems". In her presentation, she will talk about various career opportunities and qualifications and give tips on how to orientate yourself during your studies.
"Seize opportunities"
Dr Jessica Ulmer
Our second Consultant is Dr Jessica Ulmer, former doctoral candidate at RMIT University in Australia and currently Research Assistant at FB8 at FH Aachen. She will use her experiences to explain how to get a doctorate, what the day-to-day work of a doctoral candidate and Research Assistant looks like and what she would do differently if she were to start again.
Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to ask and receive answers to your questions in a group discussion.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittnerfh-aachen.de. Participation is also possible without pre-registration or on request via Webex.
1st event | Wednesday, 19 April 2023, 6 - 7 p.m.
Goethestraße 1, 52064 Aachen Room O0211
Technology moves
Friederike Philipsenburg
We are very pleased to announce Mrs Friederike Philipsenburg as the first speaker. She is responsible for Technology Strategy Europe at Ford-Werke GmbH. In her presentation "Technology moves", she will talk about her day-to-day work, opportunities for women in technical professions and qualification options.
Afterwards, your questions can be answered in a group discussion.
For better planning of the room and drinks, please send a short registration to brittner@fh-aachen.de. Participation is also possible without pre-registration or on request via Webex.
More about content and Consultant
The lecture
The title of the lecture "Technology moves" is not only a direct motivation to choose a degree programme related to technology, but above all, Friederike Philipsenburg's lecture once again addresses the concept of equal opportunities and the stereotypes that still exist in some cases with case studies. In her view, the inclusion of women in technical professions is very important for innovation and diversity. It promotes creative solutions and opens up new perspectives. Equal opportunities and supportive policies are crucial to encourage women to develop their talents in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). By fighting stereotypes and promoting inclusive work environments, we can create a fairer and more empowering world of work.
About the person
Friederike Philipsenburg studied mechanical engineering at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, specialising in the subject area of automotive engineering. During her studies, she was supported by the Henry Ford Scholarship initiated by Ford, which promotes young, talented female engineers in the automotive industry. Today, she is a supervisor in the Technology Strategy Section at Ford and is responsible for planning new technologies for the European vehicle portfolio. As a woman in the male-dominated automotive industry, the topic of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is very close to her heart.
