Zen-Zen Yen, M.Sc.

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

It is difficult for me to define a favorite memory. My time as a student at TU Braunschweig was an instructive time, characterized by wonderful memories, inspiring acquaintances and lots of practical experience. I still find the fascination and enthusiasm for the movie "Die Feuerzangenbowle", which I personally didn't know before, particularly fascinating. My favorite place is the Biozentrum. In my final year, I took part in a competition called iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) there with a small team of students. We spent almost day and night there.

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

Excellent research and teaching with international networking and a fantastic student life.

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

I studied biotechnology and am now working in the field of engineering, so I don't use what I learned directly. However, at the TU I mainly acquired the ability to transfer learning, to transfer basic principles to new things. This ability helps me today to adapt to new challenges every day and to master them.

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

My time in Braunschweig was characterized above all by the deep relationships with fellow students with whom I meet up at irregular intervals. As we have now moved to many different regions, a regular meeting at the Braunschweig Christmas market is unfortunately no longer a tradition.

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

I am a big advocate of non-linear careers and identify poorly with career ladders. In this day and age, the half-life of a system is much shorter than it was a few years ago, so professions will change more and more in the near future. My tips are therefore:

1. Know your own strengths: It is important that everyone knows and can name their own strengths. This is the only way to find a job that is fulfilling for each individual.
2. Be flexible: The VUCA world requires more and more flexibility and resilience. Not everything happens as planned. Not everything is as bad as initially thought. Being flexible helps you not to get lost in the constant stream of changes and crises.
3.  Have fun!