Ms. Paulmann, you are in your 3rd Master's semester of Geodesy at the University of Bonn. And since January you have been working in tandem with Kerstin Will on the Geomentoring program. How did that come about?
Paulmann: I saw a notice at the university. I was immediately interested and outlined my motivation, my career and my interests in a questionnaire. After this brief application, the organization team put me in touch with Kerstin Will.
Ms. Will, you head the 'Geobasis NRW' department at the NRW district government with around 280 employees. Why did you decide to take care of a mentee in addition to your many other tasks?
Will: 'Geobasis NRW' is facing major challenges. Demographic change is challenging us: employees will increasingly retire over the next few years, while at the same time there are fewer students studying geodesy. The need for recruitment is enormous and the competition for young people is huge: local authorities, publicly appointed surveying companies, federal and state ministries, the private sector - graduates can choose the jobs they want. I was really excited about the mentoring program and immediately signed up as a mentor. It gives me the opportunity to make contact with the university and young people and to introduce myself as an employer. You have to know that official surveying still works on the 'darknet'. (laughs) Young people know next to nothing about us.
Is that true, Ms. Paulmann?
Paulmann: We actually only have a few courses on the subject of official surveying during our studies. The course content is wide-ranging. We have around 20 Master's graduates per year, who can choose from an enormous range of career paths: This ranges from autonomous driving to astronomical physical geodesy. Official surveying is just one small area.
And how have the two of you harmonized in the team so far?
Will: I am very happy to have Helen as a mentee. We immediately hit it off. The plan was for her to be present at meetings and official discussions. Then came coronavirus and with it the contact restrictions. We speak to each other regularly and had two face-to-face meetings in addition to WebEx conferences. And Helen took part in a training course for trainee teachers. I am very happy that we were able to get to know each other. Helen brings her perspective to the content of my work and supports me with ideas for promoting young talent. That is incredibly valuable for us. I would very much like her to decide to do a traineeship.
Paulmann: I feel the same way. The exchange with Kerstin is very valuable for me. It all fits together very well.
What have you both found to be the greatest added value of the program so far?
Will: What is particularly valuable for me is that Helen has given me access to the perspective of young people. This different perspective helps me not to have blinkers on. For me as a manager, it is incredibly important to put myself in the shoes of this generation and to tailor our working conditions to their needs wherever possible.
Paulmann: In addition to the direct contact with Kerstin and the great professional insights she gives me, there were two main points: The workshops on our personality and our public image are still having an effect on me. They were two jam-packed days that made a difference. The online meetings were also very helpful. The introductions to the other mentors showed me what some employers offer. These ranged from sports vouchers to fruit baskets, working from home, flexible working hours and lunch supplements. These are extras that are definitely interesting for job starters.
That sounds like a successful experiment for both sides. Ms. Paulmann, after your experiences so far, can you imagine doing your traineeship and joining the official surveying sector? (Kerstin Will covers her ears playfully)
Paulmann: As things stand at the moment, I can well imagine doing a traineeship following my Master's degree. I expect to complete my Master's thesis this year and start my traineeship in April. That leaves me time for a short break before starting my working life. My preferred location would be Düsseldorf for personal reasons. Kerstin and I will certainly keep in touch - the mentoring program has been extended by a year due to Corona. (Kerstin Will cheers)
Is there anything else you would like to say after this final?
Will: Absolutely! Helen and I would like to thank the Bonn Economic Development Agency for the mentoring program. This instrument helps both sides enormously. Our thanks also go specifically to Katrin Böhnke, whose enthusiasm, creativity and openness inspire our joint work despite all the adversities!
Ms. Paulmann, Ms. Will, thank you very much for the interview.