Robin Renoth
Study programmes: Business Administration in Healthcare Management (BA) / Sustainable Management (MSc) at University of Ulm
Employer: Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences
Position: Research assistant
Why did you decide to study at HNU?
There were two points that were important to me after graduating from school. Firstly, I am a fan of a familiar atmosphere and manageable structures. That's why no big university or college, where studies are usually anonymous and impersonal, came into question for me. On the other hand, I didn't want to lose the practical relevance after my training (successfully completed before my Abitur). Therefore, my focus was on the universities, which tend to be more application-oriented than universities. Since HNU offers a continuation of my education (health care management assistant) with the course of studies Business Administration in Health Care (B.A.), I thought that this would suit me perfectly. During my studies the good atmosphere was confirmed and it turned out that Neu-Ulm and especially Ulm offer a great city climate.
What tips can you give young people who are looking for the right course of study?
Finding an appealing course of studies is an important section and should be well thought out, but it is not a decision that should be too much "broken up". There are beautiful and not so beautiful sites everywhere, but the basic direction should be right. I myself had no great idea what I wanted to study and then simply weighed up the options available if I started a relatively basic Bachelor's degree. Through my previous experience, it then became Business Administration in Health Care (B.A.), as this was where most of my interests intersected. However, not only the interests are important, but also the environment. I had not considered myself a big city person and therefore paid less attention to the study possibilities in this respect. In addition, the size of the university and the type (university or college) also plays a decisive role in this area. With these criteria the decision radius can be focused & a decision can be made more easily. ( ... and if you notice after one semester that you do not feel comfortable in this course of studies, it is usually no problem to change once).
Semester abroad: In which country were you and what did you experience during this time?
I did my practical semester in Tanzania and afterwards I spent a semester at the Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. During my internship semester at the foot of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania I worked in a "Refferal Hospital", which is responsible for the entire north of Tanzania. It was very exciting to get to know the organisation in a hospital which has about 600 admissions and discharges daily but only one computer in the patient data department. It was an incredibly impressive semester, during which I not only gained professional experience that would never have been possible in Germany, but also got to know a completely different, very warm welcome culture. It was an adventure I wouldn't want to miss - be it watching monkeys jumping around in your own garden, realizing that there are ice-cold showers in Tanzania, enjoying avocados en masse, haggling successfully for the first time on the market in Swahili or simply partying with the locals. The semester abroad in South Korea was also an unforgettable semester. It was a complete contrast to my stay in Tanzania. The Korea University (Seoul) is huge, although some of the buildings remind me of Hogwarts. During my semester, about 700-800 exchange students from all over the world came together. So you get to know many other internationals yourself - I am still in contact with some of them and we visit each other from time to time. It was also impressive to live in the middle of a big city during the semester (with all the advantages and disadvantages). The Korean culture is very polite and reserved. However, the Koreans around me "thawed out" more and more after a certain time; all this gives you a completely different insight into the country. In both semesters abroad I had the great experience that e.g. the tourist status disappears after some time and you get to know a country that has so much more to offer than the attractions that are written in the classic travel guide.
What experiences during your studies have had a special influence on you?
The independent organization within the student body and the Lions Club Campus taught me many new approaches to challenges and problems. Working in these areas also gave me a very close insight into committee work. These experiences and soft skills create a certain unique selling point in the application process.
What is your advice to all graduates who are looking for their first job?
Keep your eyes and ears open during the final thesis and talk to fellow students, friends, professors and as many people as possible about your own ideas. This sometimes results in undreamt-of possibilities. No one can guess what preferences you have yourself. You have to tell them and then there is at best a chance for your environment to help you.
What did your first job look like and how did you find out about it?
By staying in the Ulm area during my Master's degree in Sustainable Business Management at the University of Ulm, it was very easy to maintain contact with HNU. After successfully completing my Master's degree, I returned to HNU. Here I am now taking my first steps in the field of research as a research assistant in a good atmosphere.
Which experiences from your studies at HNU have proven to be valuable in your professional life?
The methods used during the studies turned out to be key for me after graduation. If I know where to look something up or how to get this or that information, it is much easier to solve a problem than to start from scratch. In addition, clear, open communication and cooperation (especially in teamwork) are immensely important. If that works, most things are actually already won. This helps me in my current work and also in my communication with colleagues.
Please describe your everyday working life. Which projects do you work on and which tasks do you particularly enjoy?
I am currently working in the field of geothermal energy and the associated potential for energy generation (focus on electricity generation). Above all, I am investigating the sociological dimension. That is, to what extent there is social acceptance of such geothermal projects and what potentials and challenges arise from them.
How would you complete the beginning of the following sentence?
HNU... "was the right decision for my bachelor's degree - challenging, supportive, familiar and versatile."
