The Göttinger Tageblatt published the follow-up report on the first Alumni Day of the Private University of Göttingen. Below is the article in the original wording.
Practice and theory as good preparation for the profession
Graduates speak at the first Alumni Day of the Private University of Göttingen
By Vera Wölk
Göttingen. At the first Alumni Day at the Private University of Göttingen (PFH), six former students reported on their life path after graduation. More than 100 alumni had come to exchange ideas with each other.
At the end of the day, the six speakers dealt with the question “What universities must do in the future to prepare their graduates for changed requirements in the professional world”. The six graduates are either working as managers or have founded their own company.
Xenia Seidel, who graduated from PFH in 2006, said that it is important for today’s graduates to have contacts abroad at an early stage. “During my studies, there were unfortunately no international partnerships. Therefore, I think it’s good that the university has expanded its offerings in this area”, explains Seidel. In her view, students should not only gain experience abroad, but also gain practical experience during their studies. Rainer Lehmann, who belongs to the first graduating class of PFH in Göttingen, agreed with her on this point. “When choosing my university, the quick study time and the existing practical relevance played a role”, he reported. Because the proximity to practice made it easier for him to enter the professional world later, and he therefore did not get the so-called practice shock. “The study at PFH was a good preparation for what to expect when you start your career”, said Lehmann.
Initiative necessary
For Tilo Osten, who left the university in 2005, the theory taught to students during their studies is a good basis for starting a career, but he also sees practice as an important building block for later success. His wish for universities in the future is that they treat innovations as well as topics of digitization. “In addition, the changes in the communication area should be taken up”, said Osten. He recommends today’s students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the university through its networking at an early stage. “When starting a career, it is necessary to show a great interest”, he said. In addition, it is necessary to do internships, because theory cannot replace practice.
Luana Theodoro da Silva added that it is hardly possible to achieve one’s goals without initiative. “Therefore, students should also bring the will to want to be successful”, said Theodoro da Silva. For Christopher Vogt, who studied at PFH until 2014, universities should not only give their graduates the theoretical basics, but also prepare them for the fact that learning does not stop after graduation. “In addition, the graduates must know that they later, especially if they want to start a company, have to take responsibility for their actions”, said the company founder. In order to keep their knowledge up to date, students should regularly read the magazines relevant to their profession, according to Gordon Martin, who left PFH in 2003. “And it is very important to attend further training events”, he emphasized.
The Alumni Day, which University President Prof. Frank Albe and Prof. Hans-Christian Riekhof have organized, is to be held regularly from now on. “We could imagine organizing the day every two years”, said Riekhof.
The photo shows the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest. Xenia Seidel, one of the speakers and former PFH student, works there as Director of Sales & Marketing.
