Interview with the Chief Mayor of Cottbus Tobias Schick (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen)

Cottbus elects its mayor every 8 years. In October 2022, there was an exciting runoff election, which Tobias Schick of the SPD won very confidently. Tobias studied industrial engineering at the BTU from 2000 to 2006 before turning his passion for sports into a career and becoming managing director of the Cottbus Sports Association at the age of just 27. He has achieved a great deal and has developed the Sportbund into a central body, especially during Corona he was central to the sporting life in Cottbus with help with funding applications and practical problem solving. This success certainly gave him tailwind for the election. His new tasks as Lord Mayor come at a very exciting time, when the course for the next decades is being set by structural change, literally with the rail projects and symbolically with the many large and small projects from the Baltic Sea to cycle paths to the Lusatia Science Park.  

Hello Tobias, first of all congratulations on winning the mayoral election. It is inspiring that a former student holds the office. What memories do you have of your studies at the BTU?
Thank you. I like to think back to my student days; studying is life. And it's a time that leaves its mark - thanks to many fellow students and thanks to many professors and university staff who challenge or pave the way. And that at such a beautiful university as our BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg with short distances to the professors and affordable conditions in the city.

You have been a sports enthusiast since childhood and have turned your passion into a profession. What would you say to students who are also thinking about turning their hobbies, talents or startup ideas into a career?
Go for it. Passion and dedication are important, and passion is how you cultivate hobbies, use talent or found your startup. Of course, it also takes money and partners, but ultimately it's mostly about making a dream come true.

You've also been involved in volunteer work and politics for a long time. What advice would you give to BTU members and students who want to get involved in society?
That's what our open society and a functioning democracy thrive on. Having your say is better than complaining. If you get involved, you're doing something for the community. And a lot of it has to do with a hobby.

Cottbus is facing many changes due to structural change. Which projects are you most looking forward to in the next few years?
On the one hand, I'm looking forward to the things that will change and transform our city structurally. The railroad plant is already being built. Some of these projects are planned for decades. It will be very exciting to see how the new harbor district on the future Baltic Sea will look architecturally. We are also preparing other projects, such as the university medical training program or the Lusatia Science Park. But it is also highly exciting to see and experience what is happening in the start-up scene and how established medium-sized companies and craftsmen are reinventing themselves despite or precisely because of current concerns. But most of all, I'm looking forward to shaping these processes of change together with the people of Cottbus.

What other message do you have for the members of the BTU?
Join in and talk well about our city. Come here, discover Cottbus/Chóśebuz, stay here and realize yourselves. Be part of our city community.