Interview with BTU alumna Antonia Letitia Callsen (Social Work)

Antonia Letitia Callsen studied for a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at BTU Cottbus, graduated in 2024 and has been working at Studierendenwerk Ost: Brandenburg, which is also responsible for BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, since this year.

Hello Ms Callsen, how did you come to study Social Work at BTU and what was your experience here?
To be honest, I already didn't like the first part of the question in my first semester. I never really wanted to study Social Work, even though everyone around me told me that a social profession was the right thing for me. But as is the case when you're young and rebellious, I wanted to know better and held on to my desire to pursue a career as a civil servant in the justice system. However, my A-level average wasn't the best and I was repeatedly rejected. I then started studying finance in the state of Berlin, which was already something of a plan B at the time. Then came the coronavirus pandemic, which turned all our lives upside down. I cancelled my studies and thought about everything again. Maybe I grew up a bit during that time and so I ended up applying to study Social Work at BTU after all. Also because my fiancé was already studying at BTU at the time. However, as Social Work was one of the few study programmes at BTU with an NC at the time, I was initially rejected. Fortunately, I was able to enrol in the Orientation Studies Programme and take Social Work modules during the two semesters. The next year it worked out and I got a place on the programme. And even though I originally had completely different plans and ideas, I still don't regret my decision today. So it doesn't always have to be the straight path that leads you to a great degree programme.

And now I would like to come to the second part of the question: My experience as a student at BTU on the Social Work study programme was great for the most part. The range of courses on the Bachelor's programme is varied and I had the opportunity to deepen my own interests with compulsory electives. I also have to mention that I was lucky enough to win the "timetable lottery". In the Social Work study programme, the courses have participation restrictions. The small size of the university quickly created a family feeling in the individual modules. We knew all our lecturers and, above all, our lecturers knew us. This helped because we always knew exactly what was expected of us and we were able to adapt to who was teaching what and how. The fact that most of the lessons were taught in seminars meant that I was able to learn very well. The fact that an entire semester was planned for practical work was also great for me, as I was able to show that I can also apply the theory from my studies in practice. I would definitely recommend the course, even if there was sometimes a bit of chaos in the organisation of studies at BTU. But that will be the case at any university and the family environment meant that solutions could always be found quickly and easily.

What course content has had a particular impact on you?
It's difficult for me to choose a specific course content that had a particular impact on me. It's more the programme as a whole that has influenced me. Through my studies, I have learnt to be more patient, to remain calm in heated discussions and to empathise with the other person, i.e. to change my perspective from time to time. The Counselling and Communication module has encouraged me to look for a job where I can advise other people. But I was also able to learn many new tools through my specialisation in Media Pedagogy, which I can now put to good use in my day-to-day work.

How did you come to work at Studierendenwerk Ost: Brandenburg and what are your tasks here?
While I was still writing my Bachelor's thesis, I was already thinking about whether I wanted to continue my studies afterwards or whether I wanted to start working. Initially, I took a two-pronged approach. I applied for a lot of job advertisements, but also enrolled on the Master's programme at BTU at the same time. I then also started studying on the Master's programme first. However, BTU doesn't offer the specialisation that I would have liked to do. As a result, it wasn't quite as difficult for me to decide to finish my studies after I was accepted by Studierendenwerk Ost: Brandenburg. I've been working there since January 2025.

I was mainly hired to supervise the student residences of Studierendenwerk Ost: Brandenburg. In addition to the halls of residence in Cottbus and Senftenberg, I am also responsible for the halls of residence in Frankfurt/Oder and Eberswalde. Here I am the contact person for around 3,700 students who are tenants with us. For example, I mediate in conflicts and work with the students to find solutions. But I'm also the person to talk to if students have suggestions for improvements or need advice in any other way. So that I'm not alone, there is the tutor programme. In each of our halls of residence, there are one to three students who work as tutors and are the first point of contact for day-to-day problems on site. I coordinate this programme. It's also my job to strengthen the communities in the individual halls of residence. For example, I'm planning to set up common rooms and introduce the Code of Conduct next year, for which I'll also be the contact person. But beyond my main work for the halls of residence, I always have an open ear for the students who come to me with their concerns. And from next year, I'll also be taking over the cultural department here in Cottbus.

What does the Cultural Department of the Studierendenwerk Cottbus offer?
We have two music rehearsal rooms in Cottbus. These are equipped with a drum kit, a piano and a mixing desk, among other things, which students can use free of charge. We also have a large dance room that students can book through us. We also provide the premises of Bühne Acht and Quasimono, where various student initiatives meet. We lend out stage parts for events and fund student projects.

What was your experience of looking for a job?
Most people who have applied for a job straight after graduating will know that it usually doesn't work out with the first application. It was the same for me. It took a few months before I was accepted by the student union. In the meantime, I started studying for my Master's degree. Unfortunately, during my job search, I realised that most people like to look for young people, but they also want them to have 20 years of professional experience. That's a total paradox, of course. I then had a good argument at the Studierendenwerk: I was fresh out of university and so naturally very close to everyday student life and the problems.

What do you miss most from your periods of study at BTU?
I miss the flexibility. Today, I have to work eight hours a day and am quite inflexible. During my studies, I was free to decide whether I wanted to do more or less for a term paper. I was able to sleep in more often than today. I also spent most of my time with my friends during my studies. That's also very different in everyday working life. I spend most of my time working alone in my office in Cottbus, which quickly gets lonely and time passes more slowly. On the other hand, I can switch off at home, which was more difficult during my studies.