Networking women

The aim of the mentoring programme at Kempten University of Applied Sciences is to offer students in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) with professional guidance. Women are still under-represented on these degree programmes, which is why this programme aims to actively support their personal plans in life. In this way, Kempten University of Applied Sciences wishes to contribute towards developing an egalitarian society and help students more venture down more wide-ranging individual paths.

The programme has been running in Kempten since 2008/2009 in affiliation with the Bavarian Mentoring scheme run by the State Conference of Commissioners for Women and Equal Opportunities at Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences (LaKoF).

Mentoring offers:

• Tips on planning studies and careers
• Internship arrangements
• Assistance with applications
• Establishing and expanding networks
• Sharing experiences abroad
• Personal contacts with women in companies and fellow female students
• Interesting seminars and workshops
• Group activities to strengthen character, and
• Visits to local companies.

The new round of mentoring kicks off in Winter Semester 2020/21.

The Junior Programme is aimed at students of STEM subjects in their first semester. They are paired with a student in a higher semester on their degree programme for guidance and support as they start studying.

The Professional Programme is for STEM students from the third semester on. A mentor from a local company supports you as you embark upon your career and offers you valuable insights into working life. Make the most of this unique networking opportunity.

The key dates for coming mentoring year will be published here shortly. Download a registration form from the box on the right.

Experienced women managers from prestigious local companies help students from the third semester on to tackle the challenges of studying and embarking upon a career. The Professional Mentoring programme kicks of each October, lasting two years.

Who can take part?
Professional mentees: You must have started at least the third semester in one of the STEM faculties at Kempten University of Applied Sciences, have at least one year remaining to complete your programme and be keen to achieve a smooth transition into a successful career.

Professional mentors: You must have an engineering or computer science degree, hold a professional position and be interested in helping young women with their personal development and planning their path in life. You should also be keen to make direct contact with fresh graduates and other professionals in your field via the mentoring network.

How does it work?
The programme kicks off at the start of November with a getting-to-know you event. This is followed by visits to companies, a range of seminars, regular meetings and group activities. There’s a feedback event at half-time and a final event for all participants.
 

Students in their first semester (junior mentees) are supported by those in higher semesters (junior mentors) studying the same subjects to help them find their feet at Kempten University of Applied Sciences quickly and easily. Junior mentors are on hand to advise on any personal, organisational or subject-related questions about studying. The Junior Mentoring programme is run in small groups each year, from October through to December.

Who can take part?
Junior mentees: You are a fresher in one of the STEM faculties at Kempten University of Applied Sciences and would appreciate some support from an experienced student in your subject area to help you get going.
Junior mentors: You must have started at least your third semester in a STEM faculty at Kempten University of Applied Sciences and would like to actively support other students just starting out.

How does it work?
The Junior Mentoring programme commences at the end of October with a kick-off event. After that, the students meet in small groups on a regular basis, go on visits to companies, and attend seminars and other events. It winds down at the end of the first semester.

Are you about to graduate and could do with some support?

• Hildegardis Association: The Hildegardis Association assists women and awards loans to Christian students – whether they are German or not, and mothers or not. Further details are available here.
• Madame Courage: The Bavarian State Association of the Catholic Women’s Social Service (SkF) runs a project called Madame Courage to support single mothers who are about to complete their studies. Further details are available here.
• “MyStipendium” gateway: This site (in German) helps female students and doctoral researchers to find bursaries. It lists a whole range of sources of subsidies, e.g. for living costs, studies abroad, academic projects. www.mystipendium.de
• Compendium of funding programmes for women in the fields of science and research: The GESIS Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences has compiled precisely such a list. Simply click on this link.

Are you a graduate from a university of applied sciences and wondering whether you could study towards a PhD? We offer several orientation events to help you explore your options.

Workshop on “Aiming for a scientific career” in conjunction with the Careers Service at Kempten University of Applied Sciences
Have you completed your first degree and are now thinking about a scientific career? You’re wondering whether to go for a PhD, but aren’t yet one hundred percent sure? This practical workshop will lift the lid on careers in the fields of science and research, revealing the opportunities and different stages in a scientific career. You will also get the chance to examine the personal and technical requirements and get to know the different pathways and funding options for doctoral studies, the typical stumbling blocks and challenges. To register or get further information about this workshop (run once a year), please contact the Careers Service at Kempten University of Applied Sciences.

In addition, the Office for Equal Opportunities, Family Affairs and Diversity offers one-to-one coaching sessions for students interested in going into science. If you’d be interested, please get in touch with one of the team to arrange an appointment.

There are also various online resources with advice (in German) on embarking upon doctoral studies.
• https://www.academics.de/themen/promovieren
• https://www.academics.de/ratgeber/promovieren-mit-kind
• https://www.academics.de/ratgeber/promovieren-mit-behinderung
 
Once you have decided on doctoral studies and a scientific career, there are various sources of funding:
Bursaries:

• LaKoF: This bursary from the State Conference of Commissioners for Women and Equal Opportunities at Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences is aimed at talented female graduates from this sphere keen to study for a PhD and then pursue a scientific career. For further information, click here.
• Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation: This foundation seeks to smooth the way for talented women with children to embark upon scientific careers, encouraging particularly doctoral and post-doctoral students in experimental science and medicine. For further information, click here.
• “MyStipendium” gateway: This site (in German) helps students and doctoral researchers to find bursaries, many of which are dedicated specially to women. It lists a whole range of sources, e.g. for living costs, studies abroad, academic projects. For further information, click here.
• Compendium of funding programmes for women in the fields of science and research: The GESIS Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences has compiled precisely such a list. Simply click on this link.

Networks:
It’s particularly important while studying for a PhD to communicate, network and swap tips with others in the same position – either online or on campus.

• THESIS: THESIS e.V. is an interdisciplinary network run by and for doctoral students and post-docs. For further information, click here.
• Get-togethers at Kempten University of Applied Sciences: Planned

The State Conference of Commissioners for Women and Equal Opportunities at Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences offers sponsorships to women with professional or teaching experience.

• Seminar for “Aspiring professors”: Aimed at women who will fulfil all the professional requirements in the foreseeable future and intend to apply for a professorship. This two-day seminar prepares participants in intensive (individual) coaching sessions for the appointment process and provides a clear and thorough insight into the entire procedure. The seminar  is limited to 10 participants.
• Info event on “Aspiring professors at a UAS”: This information evening  is an opportunity to ask any questions whatsoever about being a (female) professor at a university of applied sciences face to face with experienced academics.
• Teaching programme “into the lecture theatre”:This teaching programme at advanced technical colleges in Bavaria is designed for women professionals in industry who would like to teach in their subject at these institutions. If you would be interested, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunities, Family Affairs and Diversity or the Women’s Commissioner .

A compendium of funding programmes for women in the fields of science and research is provided by the GESIS Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences.

The pamphlet “The path to becoming a professor”also contains important information about requirements, applications, etc.

Working 77 days for free?

Welcome to the everyday world of work – for women, that is.

Equal Pay Day is the annual event to highlight the discrepancy in earnings between men and women – an international day of action that exposes the gender pay gap.

Equal Pay Day marks the point in the year at which women would receive their first pay check for the year, which currently equates to 77 days of “unpaid work”. In other words, the difference in pay is apportioned symbolically to the 365 days in a year. After all, on average women earn 21% less gross pay per hour than men. Up until 18 March, women work metaphorically “for free”.

Events are run in conjunction with Kempten Town Council throughout the week in which EPD falls, including workshops, campaigns and talks. We will publish the programme on our homepage well in advance.

In an effort to attract more female students onto technical degree programmes, Kempten University of Applied Sciences runs various campaigns with the support of the Women’s Commissioners to inspire school girls and eligible female professionals to study in these fields.

Kempten University of Applied Sciences has taken part in Germany’s biggest nation-wide career orientation project for girls – “Girl’s Day” – for many years. As part of this campaign, it runs interesting programmes for approx. 40 school girls from different kinds of secondary schools throughout the local region, offering tasters of technical and engineering degrees.

Girls’ Day 2021 is scheduled for 22 April . Details of this year’s programme and how to register for the event will be posted here in February 2021.