Zeinab Shoushtari, MSc

What‘s your nicest memory of Braunschweig and do you have a favorite place?

For me, the Technische Universität Braunschweig was one of the most wonderful and valuable experiences of my life. From the very beginning, everyone at the university treated me with great kindness and openness. From the Dean’s Office to the professors I worked with, everyone was outstanding both as people and in their professional expertise. I still have fond memories of many of them to this day. One of my fondest memories is from the time when I first arrived in Germany and Braunschweig and began my studies. During that time, I met many wonderful fellow students with whom I developed close friendships. They not only accompanied and supported me throughout my studies but were also a vital source of support in my personal life. A very special place for me is the Michaelishof, where I lived during my studies. I still have particularly fond memories of the pub nights every Thursday. There, I had the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, have fascinating conversations, and experience many unforgettable moments. When I think back on my time at TU Braunschweig today, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. It was not only a formative period for my academic and personal development, but also a phase of my life in which I met wonderful people and formed friendships that will last a lifetime. These memories will always hold a special place in my heart.

Reasons why the TU Braunschweig is a great place to study:

- international - diverse study programs - practical subjects

Which contents of your studies can you still use in your career today?

During my studies, I tried to attend as many seminars and a wide variety of courses as possible in order to expand my knowledge and gain diverse experiences. In addition, I began working as a student assistant (HiWi) at the Institute for Solar and Building Technology right at the start of my studies. The experiences I gained there continue to shape me to this day and have had a significant impact on my professional career. Through the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, I was able to gain insight into building services engineering early on and launch my career in this field. To this day, I work in building services engineering and benefit from the knowledge and experience I was able to gain during my time at the Technical University of Braunschweig.

Are you still in touch with former fellow students? Do you see each other and if so, how often?

Yes, one of my fellow students even became my coworker later on. After changing jobs, we’ve stayed in touch and meet up regularly. We’ve also gotten together with other fellow students from time to time, although these get-togethers have become less frequent lately since we now live all over Germany. Still, we stay in touch, even if it’s not always possible to meet in person.

What advice would you give current students for their personal career planning?

1. Take advantage of the services offered by the Alumni & Career Service: Be sure to attend the seminars and events organized by the Career Service. I personally attended many helpful seminars there that were a great support during my job application processes and prepared me well for my career start.

2. Gain practical experience early on: Try to gain practical experience as early as possible—for example, as a working student at a company or as a student assistant (HiWi) at a university department. This will allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice, build valuable contacts, and prepare for your future career.

3. Improve your (foreign) language skills: English proficiency, in particular, is very important for working in internationally active companies. The Technical University of Braunschweig offers the opportunity to take language courses for free. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your language skills and increase your career prospects.

4. Start your job search while working on your master’s thesis: Don’t wait until the end of your studies to submit applications. It’s best to start applying for suitable positions while you’re still working on your master’s thesis. This way, you can prepare for the transition from academia to the professional world early on and, ideally, start your career immediately after graduation.