Interview with BTUAlumna Christin Handrek (ERM und WHS)
The BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is not only a place to study, but also an attractive employer, for example for alumna Christin Handrek, who now works in the International Relation Office.
Hello Christin, how did you decide to study in Cottbus?
After graduating from high school, I was still quite unsure about where to go. I then applied for various courses of study throughout Germany and was admitted everywhere. But I didn't know what to choose. Since I'm from Cottbus, it was pretty easy to sit in on an ERM lecture on a trial basis at the open day and thus get a little insight into the degree program. The interdisciplinarity appealed to me right from the start and I immediately felt super comfortable in the intercultural setting. I spent the summer after graduating from high school in Australia and was able to think a lot about my future there. I came back from Australia with the decision to stay in Cottbus and study Environmental and Resource Management.
How did you like studying, especially with your international fellow students?
The Environmental and Resource Management and World Heritage Studies courses are very varied and give a good insight into different topics. Through a large selection of elective modules, you can then deepen your knowledge depending on what interests you the most. Of course, the exchange with fellow students from all over the world is especially great in an international study program. Every culture brings a completely different perspective, so that you not only learn a lot from a technical point of view, but you can also broaden your perspective in a very unusual way. This has not only given me a lot professionally, but also personally.
How did you get the job at the BTU?
I had worked as a research assistant at the BTU's Center for Continuing Education during my master's degree in World Heritage Studies. A week after I defended my master's thesis, I came across a job posting at the International Relations Office that totally intrigued me. My main task at the International Relations Office is now the coordination of student and staff mobility within the worldwide Erasmus+ project. Until that moment, I was not even aware of what a wide range of tasks there actually is at universities. Without any expectations, I submitted an application and was immediately given the chance to gain experience in this field. The transition from student life to professional life was not a big problem. Since I had already worked part-time before, I was able to quickly get used to going to work full-time from now on. In addition, the new exciting tasks and challenges made the time fly by quickly, especially in the beginning.
What do you particularly like about the job?
Maintaining university collaborations involves, among other things, constant communication with partner universities. Since I've always enjoyed traveling in my private life and learning a lot about the country and its people, I'm especially happy when I get to pack my suitcase for work as well. The personal contact with the partners makes the work much easier. You also get a very special insight when you travel with project partners in their country.
How do you feel about the BTU as an employer?
As a Cottbus native, the region is very close to my heart. The BTU is taking on an important task in times of structural change, and I'm glad to be part of it. It's a great feeling to see that the BTU's employees are also aware of this responsibility and are fighting together for the region, and it creates a great working atmosphere.
What do you remember most fondly when you think about your studies?
Of course, I remember my fellow students in particular, the all-nighters and all-nighters, my time in a shared apartment with a fellow student and still a good friend. But what comes to mind immediately, especially when I think of my bachelor studies, is my semester abroad in Chile. It was without a doubt one of the best times of my life. The entire organization of the exchange was very easy and pleasant, both on the part of the BTU and on the part of my partner university in Santiago, so I was able to enjoy my time in Latin America from the very beginning. I made friends with whom I'm still in contact today, and we even visit each other from time to time. And you also learn so much about yourself. That makes me go into raptures again.
