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Hi, I am Julian,
an Energy Technology student at RWTH Aachen University. I am currently enjoying my time at IWC Schaffhausen in Switzerland as an intern for Environmental Sustainability & Trasnformation.
1. What attracted you to apply to the UNITECH programme?
A unique experience to develop further personally. I was curious about the three workshop weeks and knew that the network I would experience would give me many opportunities for my career afterwards. Additionally, and honestly, I knew that my education was on the right track, but I was still struggling with my English skills. So, I saw this as an important step to further develop myself and expose myself to an international environment for a year.
2. What did you enjoy most about your UNITECH experience? How has the programme helped prepare you for the next steps in your career?
The most I enjoyed was the combination of all modules. The workshop weeks were a unique experience for me, where I saw my limits, but developed so much just iwthin three weeks. For me what I enjoyed the most were the people. The coaches managed to created a safe space within the first SUW week, which helped a lot for everyone open up, and building friendships that last forever. Either it's partying on a Wednesday until 3 am or studying for an exam until 3 am in the week after, those friendships are specialand also helped me a lot settling in for my internship, cause the network provides so many people that you already knew even though you move to a new city.
3. If you compared yourself before and after UNITECH, what changed the most?
How pleased I am, and to see the potential to really lead a company or especially work together with people as a team. I am way more fluent in english, which gives me huge potential to focus on my career. In the beginning I thought the topics coaching and leadership is nothing really for me, but after this year I am probably one of the biggest fans.
4. Tell us about your Academic Exchange. Where did you study, and what did you enjoy the most? Were there any courses or experiences that particularly stood out?
I went abroad to Trinity College Dublin and I have to say that this was already my second exchange so I knew already the process and what will come. What stood out the most, was that I nearly spend everyday and also only with the Unitechers, so we were bonding so much, we just met a week before in Lyon (SUW) but already trusted each other a lot, moved together and jsut enjoyed our live in an international environment. Courses that stood out for me was a course called: Managing People and Leading Change, cause I chose it only because of my UNITECH experience, I wanted to learn more and develop myself.
5. Tell us about your internship. Where did you complete it, and what was the most valuable experience or lesson you gained?
I did/ do my internship with IWC Schaffhausen in the area of Sustainability & Transformation. The most valuable experience by far is, that you really get responsibility from day one, my team is very pushable and supportive, but I also do have my own smaller projects and my own structured day with meetings and task, where I mainly work alone on it. So I really can imagine working at IWC also afterwards.
6. What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and how did you overcome it?
Biggest challenge before was my concerns about working in an international and english environment, but everyone is super supportive and I adapted and felt comfortable very fast.
7. Has UNITECH opened any opportunities that you might not otherwise have had?
YES, 100%. I would say especially the network and the corporate partners, where we have the contacts, everyone knows about UNITECH and also supports us with reaching out and finding positions is an amazing opportunity. Also the fact that UNITECH has an Alumni netowrk, where you can stay in touch and even get to know more people as for example through the GA.
8. Looking back, what do you think your university experience would have been missing if you hadn't joined UNITECH?
A full year (and way more) of being in an international environment, getting to know cultures, and realising that soft skills and leadership skills are at least as important as the hard technical skills. I'm as I said, just very happy and pleased that I took this decision and applied
9. What advice would you give to someone considering applying to UNITECH?
DO IT, you won't regret it. It's a mix of experiences, that you dont get anywhere else, and you develop so much, getting more comfortable and also just practise and work on real life Business Cases: What I can advice is, that the person is sitting in the driving seat, so you have it in your own hands how much you gain from this experience, but I can tell that I gained way more, and have way closer friendships all over europe then I have ever thought.
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