Field report Philip Schütz
1. tell us something about your career, from your school leaving certificate to your career start.
Schütz: I started studying electrical engineering and information technology at a university in the winter semester of 2009. However, after 4 semesters I realised that it was too theoretical and anonymous for me. That's why I switched to a university of applied sciences to study computer science. I immediately realised that there was a different atmosphere here. Everything was much more familiar, more personal and, above all, more practice-orientated. With the help of Prof Schuba's contact and his IT forensics module, I was able to write my bachelor's thesis at the State Office of Criminal Investigation and fortunately start working there after my degree in March 2013.
2. you are now working at the State Office of Criminal Investigation. What exactly is your area of responsibility?
My field of activity is mobile forensics. This means I extract all data from mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. This data can include chat histories, call logs, locations, Instagram messages, bank transfer data and much more. I then structure this data and organise it into an understandable and comprehensible form.
3. describe a typical day in the life of an IT forensic scientist, what exactly do they do?
The range of tasks is very broad, which is why it is difficult to describe a "typical" daily routine. Every working day and, above all, every (criminal) case is different. This ranges from case processing, data research and preparation to the provision of data on data carriers. We also carry out intensive research work in the form of visits to trade fairs and research. For example, we actively follow the development of new operating systems and new mobile technologies. When Apple launches a new device, for example, we need to know how it works.
Sometimes I'm also involved in searches at crime scenes. I then confiscate all the devices I can find that can help me with my investigations.
4 Why did you decide to study at FH Aachen back then?
I was impressed by the close practical relevance. You can "do things" more quickly and projects are actually realised. You don't just "do the maths". The small group sizes also appealed to me. There is a close sense of community. We always solved tasks in groups and also formed study groups, so you're not on your own.
5. what exactly (which subjects) led you to work for the LKA?
Definitely the IT forensics subject. If that hadn't been offered, I probably wouldn't have thought of working as an IT forensic scientist at the LKA. The subject CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator) and a lecture by the BKA on mobile phone forensics also aroused my interest in this work.
Police work has always appealed to me. It was never my thing to work in a software company and advise customers. It was important to me to create real added value. Now I'm helping to make the world a little bit better!
6. did you have to start from scratch at the LKA or did the content/methods you learnt during your studies help you to start your career? If so, which ones?
IT forensics is so specialised, of course the content from this subject helped me. I also need knowledge from modules such as data compression, computer networks and, above all, databases. All the data in mobile phones is stored in databases. Programming skills are also very useful, which is why I am grateful that the computer science programme here at FH Aachen also deals with this in practice.
In general, however, I can use the knowledge from the higher semesters.
9. what do you think you need to have to study computer science at FH Aachen?
First and foremost, you have to be patient. Patience to "stick with it" even when things get difficult. Especially in the first semesters, you have to fight your way through a bit. In my opinion, you should have analytical skills and a strong logical and structured way of thinking to study computer science. In computer science, it is important to understand the patterns behind programmes. A pure interest in computers is not enough, it's about wanting to look behind the surface!
10. how is the transition from student life to everyday working life? Do you sometimes wish you could go back to university life and student life?
Sometimes you wish you could go back to student life. The flexibility and the amount of free time are particularly convincing factors. On the other hand, it's nice to have a weekend at work so you don't always feel like you have to do something. I have flexible working hours and can organise my own working hours. Nevertheless, I would like to study at FH Aachen for another year or two...if I could get my current salary (laugh).
11. what advice can you give to future/current students at FH Aachen?
The important thing is to keep having fun. You have to bite your way through a bit at the beginning, because later, from the 4th semester onwards, it only gets really interesting and everyone can specialise and go their own way. It helped me a lot to make use of the counselling services, to have conversations and to use the contacts of the professors, because they are really happy to support you. I also think it's important to gain as much practical experience as possible.