Kirsten Robbers and her fellow students build up contacts

This year's meccanica feminale offered a wide range of courses, from learning programming languages and working with MATLAB, a maths software, to topics relating to soft skills, career planning and management. This trade fair focuses primarily on the so-called MINT disciplines - mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. It is aimed at female students, scientists in the engineering sciences and women working in the field. "I am very pleased that this offer has been accepted. The meccanica is a special place of learning where STEM women from different universities can come together and work together, exchange ideas and network with colleagues and practice partners," says Simone Israel, career counsellor at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. She organised the trip for the students. "Women are still underrepresented in science and research, especially in the STEM subjects. That's why events like meccanica offer STEM women great opportunities for qualification, individual learning and networking all in one," continued Simone Israel.

"Networking is super important"

One of the participants was Kirsten Robbers. She is currently studying medical technology in her third semester at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. When she heard about the opportunity to go to meccanica feminale, her interest was immediately piqued. "The networking meeting offered courses that are not available at the university, for example. That's what makes the whole thing so exciting," says Kirsten Robbers. In addition to attending courses, the event was primarily about networking with each other. This is also confirmed by Prof. Dr Bettina Camin, who drew attention to the event and, together with Simone Israel, encouraged the students to go on the trip. "I like the concept of the event, where female students from STEM subjects across Germany come together in workshops on different topics on one campus and also organise joint (leisure) activities. The focus is therefore also on networking among the participants during their studies," says Prof Dr Bettina Camin. A lot of good can come from networking. New input leads to new ideas and you can broaden your knowledge horizon. "Networking is super important, and the event showed us that STEM professions aren't as scary as men always want to tell you," reports Kirsten Robbers. She found the visit to the Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart particularly interesting. "We were able to gain an insight into the institute and robotics. It was exciting to get to know quality management in the technical field and a potential future employer in general," continues the Bremerhaven student.

In focus: personal development and more women in STEM

Offers such as meccanica feminale should be utilised much more, says Kirsten Robbers. "Showing curiosity and acquiring more knowledge definitely pays off. An event like this also encourages independence and personal development," she says. For her, taking part was valuable, motivating and made her think and reflect. "It's simply a great opportunity and STEM needs more talented, intelligent and strong-willed women. Without women, there would only be a one-sided perspective in this male-dominated field," she says.

Her participation was financed with one-third of the funds from the Women Professors Programme III. The programme strengthens the qualification and career development of young female academics and focuses on increasing the proportion of women in science and research. Another highlight awaits female students at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences this year. The Informatica Feminale will take place in Bremen in August. Here too, Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences is supporting the participation of female students.

(Text: Nadine Metzler and Jurina Kleemeyer)

Translated with DeepL