The MCI is committed to diversity, variety, openness and tolerance with regard to applicants, employees, faculty, students, stakeholders and other groups of people - regardless of gender, age, religious affiliation, impairment, ethnicity, sexual orientation, worldview and social background. On the occasion of International Women's Day, several exceptional female employees from our team share their views, thoughts and ideas on this topic to motivate other women as well.
* random selection of female employees from different areas of MCI.
Janine Prokesch, Student & Career Center:
“At first glance, inequalities between men and women in the professional world seem to be disappearing. However, the reality shows that women still have to prove their abilities much more often. I think that this can also be an opportunity for us women to emerge stronger and more confident from certain situations. We should embrace setbacks as an opportunity to promote our own resilience. In my view, this is a very important topic in today's working world!“
©MCI_Geisler
In many cases, the framework conditions reflect very stereotypical role models. For example, I am increasingly observing among my female colleagues and our female students that, although they have curiosity and potential - as in my case, for the IT sector - they do not dare to pursue certain goals or even set them for themselves.
It can also be seen in many cases that pioneers are needed who break through supposed role barriers so that others can follow suit. Accordingly, it is to be welcomed that female executives, for example, are made more visible in public. They can inspire young women like me with their success and encourage them to face their own challenges. I would recommend specifically seeking out women role models to get tips and tricks for everyday life. I've also had good experiences with various mentoring programs where experienced leaders are available as sparring partners."
Magdalena Posch, Department Digital Business & Software Engineering:
"I would like to see legal, institutional framework conditions adapted to the realities of women's lives and not, conversely, for women to have to adapt to the existing framework conditions. Individual measures in this direction are certainly discernible. However, these should be integrated into a superordinate structure and follow a binding strategy.
Lisa Dora Lamprecht, Administration & Infodesk:
„The biggest challenge for me as a woman in the professional world is to balance my work and motherhood. My tip for successfully mastering this challenge is good planning and time management. I also feel it is important to consciously schedule breaks. Women often tend to be too critical of themselves, so I would advise pausing in between and being proud of the many little things that you master day after day.”
Ingrid Kausl, Department Tourism & Leisure Business | Works council member:
„Reconciling family and career and allowing for a little more serenity are certainly the biggest challenges for me. Not only in times like these, as a woman and mother it is incredibly important to work with focus on the one hand, to approach "problems" flexibly and creatively, and to remain calm in stressful situations. That's why a flexible working time model and home office are essential for me.“
Leena Saurwein, Senior Lecturer Department International Relations:
“Juggling between family and profession has been the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. It’s my avid passion for my profession that drives me to overcome obstacles and withstand disruptions.“
Wei Manske-Wang, Associate Professor Department Nonprofit, Social & Health Care Management:
“I have always worked in a male domain, such as in the German mechanical engineering industry: my proud engineering colleagues were almost exclusively men. For a woman of Asian descent, it's even more challenging - you have to learn to assert yourself.
My tips for successfully overcoming these challenges include exactly what we teach here at MCI: the harmony of technical, methodological and social competence. From my point of view, social competence comes first.
I would advise all young women to remain authentic, to have courage for new developments and to plan for staying power in their professional careers. Professional life is a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint.”
Gabriela Leiß
"Ich seh das Ganze als Staffellauf"
In her dissertation, author and MCI professor Gabriela Leiß takes an in-depth look at the succession process in entrepreneurial families.
The book offers an interdisciplinary and exciting insight into the relationship between transferors and transferees of family businesses, to be found in the MCI Library under 324-Leiß.
Kristan Higgins
Good luck with that
New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins is known for her heartfelt novels full of humor and wisdom.
In this book, she tackles a topic that every woman probably deals with: body image, self-acceptance, and friendship - a personal recommendation for a wonderful story that stays on your mind long after reading.
Susanne Kirchmair, Library Services & Assistance:
“I am happy to make 3 reading recommendations on the occasion of International Women's Day:
Helga Esselborn-Krumbiegel
Von der Idee zum Text
Author Helga Esselborn-Krumbiegel has put her many years of experience from writing seminars with students into an easy-to-read, practical guide with easy-to-implement tips and many examples.
A great support for anyone who is just getting to grips with academic writing, to be found in the MCI Library with the label 090-Esse and online.
Katrin Bach, Head of Department Bio- and Food Technology:
"From my personal perspective, the word "commitment" has been very useful for my career. Commitment from my superiors, from mentors, from friends and family and also commitment to my own perspective, to my own ideas and decisions to go my own way.My message to every girl and woman is: you are strong and you can be proud of your choices; follow your path, trust your skills and ideas. I believe in you, you can do it, you will rock it and it's your life!"
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