Femtec Network

With just two more weeks left in 2024, it's time to pause, reflect, and look back on an eventful year. At the heart of our journey stood our mission to connect diverse players and perspectives within STEM and the Femtec Network. This year, we successfully ran the Career-Building Programme once again and held our first-ever Career-Building Elements Schools! We celebrated a fantastic summer event and marked the fifteenth anniversary of Talent Take Off. This year, we also had the opportunity to engage in conversations with representatives from the Côte d'Ivoire and the USA. While we gratefully accepted these invitations, we hosted our own networking event in collaboration with our partner university, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, and happily contributed to the Diversity Day at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn! Since there are simply too many memorable moments to list, we handed the stage over to some of our network partners to share their reflections. 🩵 A heartfelt thank you to Paulina Fehring, Dr. Imke Leicht, Dr. Tina Liebe, Supriya TS, Esther Reichelt, Kirsten Dreier, Dr. Anjuli Franz, Dr. Dagmar Schaefer, Andrea Schulz, Elisabeth Schwarz - and everyone else who supported us on our mission to empower, connect, and inspire this year. We wish you all a joyful winter break. See you in 2025!

After we've already lit the second Advent candle, today, we're ready to make 25 pairs of eyes shine bright! ✨ Tonight marks the start of our second Career-Building Elements class, which we have finally chosen after another round of applications and interviews. We're excited to kick things off and to come together with our coaches, representatives from companies and universities, and, of course, our 25 new Femteccies! We already want to welcome every one of you! Looking forward to seeing you all tonight!

15 Jahre Talent Take Off und mehr als 2500 Teilnehmer*innen! Das sind rund 100 Schulklassen, und die zahlreichen Begegnungen sowie unzähligen Eindrücke lassen sich kaum in Worte fassen. Trotzdem wollten wir wissen, wie das Programm bei den Teilnehmenden ankommt, und haben mit einer von ihnen gesprochen. Bühne frei für Finnja! 🎙️ 💚Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Fraunhofer Karriere.

It's celebration time! This year marks the 15th anniversary of Talent Take Off, our study orientation programme created in collaboration with Fraunhofer Karriere! 15 years - almost as old as the participants, who can join as school students from the 10th grade or as Bachelor students. At "TTO," it's all about young people already passionate about the sciences or those just waiting for that spark in STEM to ignite! For even more sparks, inner fireworks, and exciting insights into the programme, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/dzyKpgbh ✨ Our heartfelt thanks to all the supporters who make Talent Take Off thrive. Here's to 15 fantastic years! 💚THANK YOU: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Dr. Birgit Geiselbrechtinger, Sultan Kanden, Cornelia Fleck, Tanja Berger, Anke Streckfuß Mareike Beckert.

We are extremely honoured for being part of the visit by Laura Williams in Berlin and for the great exchange among role models - thank you so much for having us! Rand Suleiman Shreeya Kale Anastasia Simonoff Tanisha Narnaware Rebekka Ostrop Klara Disson Supriya Tumkur Shashishekar Sultan Kanden Dr. Imke Leicht Anne Drope

𝗔 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿-𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻'𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 For our annual team day, we took a tour in Berlin, Schöneberg, examining its streets through an intersectional lens. With guidance from deSta- dekoloniale Stadtführung we uncovered the layers of history embedded in every corner, bringing to light stories that often go unnoticed. Two powerful examples: Have you ever questioned the origins of botanical gardens? Many of the plants come from countries that were exploited during the colonial era. The beauty we see today often hides a history of theft. Another one: Did you know that the name 'EDEKA' originally stood for 'Einkaufsgenossenschaft der Kolonialwarenhändler im Halleschen Torbezirk zu Berlin' (Purchasing Cooperative of Colonial Goods Dealers in the Hallesches Tor District of Berlin)? These examples remind us how deeply assertions of dominance are embedded in public spaces and everyday life, with effects that still reverberate today. To understand how patriarchy and racism became entrenched, we need to recognize their historical dimensions and interwoven structures. Unpacking these connections sheds light on the systems and hierarchies that endure across generations. Equipped with valuable insights and renewed energy, we’re ready to dive back into our feminist pursuits for greater gender equality in STEM. Walk the past – change the future! ➡️https://lnkd.in/d9yrRaBt

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.” “𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀.” “𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂!” A special shout-out to Mihori and Gahana from Universität Stuttgart, and Hannah from Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), for sharing some of your experiences during the Career-Building Programme with us! The application phase for the new class is still in full swing. Curious to know more 👉 my.carrer-building.org/en Join our info event 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBycMuQy

𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 - 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖ô𝘁𝗲 𝗱'𝗜𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 Last week we had the honour of meeting a delegation from the Ministry of Technical Education, Professional Training and Apprenticeship of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH representative office in Berlin. The aim was to exchange insights on activities, initiatives, and programmes encouraging women to take up a STEM profession.   Our colleague Dr. Imke Leicht introduced Femtec Network and our programmes Talent Take Off, Career-Building Programme and Career-Building Elements. The Femtec.Alumnae e.V. (FTA)., represented by board member Andrea Schulz and speaker of the Berlin regional group Stephanie Köchel, highlighted the dedicated network of highly qualified STEM women and its diverse activities. Pamela Stenzel and Katharina Menning represented the Verband deutscher Unternehmerinnen e.V. (VdU) (German Association of Women Entrepreneurs), which has been operating internationally since 1954 as a lobby group for women entrepreneurs and as an organisation promoting equal opportunities. The VdU has been cooperating with organisations and projects in Côte d'Ivoire and the MENA region for many years.   During the intensive and lively exchange with the representatives of the ministry, it became clear that while the social and economic conditions in Germany and Côte d'Ivoire differ, the challenges in attracting more women to STEM fields are strikingly similar. These are some key findings of our exchange and discussion:   👉The proportion of women in technical professions in Germany is 22%, in Côte d'Ivoire 18-20%. 👉Companies must be taken into account when promoting women in STEM. 👉The reconciliation of family and career continues to be a major challenge and to succeed, the mindset in the world of work must change. 👉Last but not least, role models who show that it is possible to pursue one's own interests, and networks to strengthen each other and set up initiatives remain of central importance.   Thank you for this enlightening learning opportunity. A special thanks goes to Pamela Stenzel for the invitation and the great introduction to the topics.  

Liebe Lesende, heute melden wir uns mit einer deutschsprachigen Hausmitteilung, denn es geht um ein Thema der deutschen Sprache - dem Gendern. Wir wissen, dass die Debatten um Gender-Sternchen, -Doppelpunkt und -Unterstrich seit Jahren vielfach geführt werden und möchten an dieser Stelle das Licht auf einen Aspekt lenken, der bisher eher wenig Aufmerksamkeit erfahren hat und dem wir etwas entgegensetzten wollen. Aber bevor wir in neue Gewässer stechen, lasst uns alle kurz ins Boot holen: 🧠Dass Sprache unser Bewusstsein prägt, gilt längst als Binsenweisheit. Als Organisation, die sich dem Ziel verschrieben hat, Geschlechtergerechtigkeit in den männlich geprägten MINT-Fächern voranzubringen, ist es uns natürlich besonders wichtig, Gleichberechtigung auch über gendersensible Sprache abzubilden, weshalb wir uns wohlwissend um den Reichtum der Geschlechtsidentitäten um mehrgeschlechtliche Formulierungen bemühen und seit langem auf den Doppelpunkt als Sonderzeichen setzten. So weit, so gut. 💡Damit unsere Sprache jedoch nicht nur gendersensibel, sondern auch inklusiv ist, muss sie zusätzlich barrierearm sein. Für blinde und sehbehinderte Menschen ist das Gendern durch Satz- und Sonderzeichen oft problematisch. Gründe sind Probleme beim Vorlesen – sei es durch einen Computer oder durch eine Person – und bei der Darstellung in Blindenschrift. Der Doppelpunkt ist, anders als lange angenommen und weit verbreitet, besonders für Screenreader ungeeignet, da er im Gegensatz zu Stern und Unterstrich als normales Satzzeichen ignoriert wird, wie der Deutsche Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V. (DBSV) betont. ✴️Der Verband hebt zudem hervor, dass Doppelpunkt und Unterstrich für sehbehinderte Menschen schwerer erkennbar sind als das Sternchen. Darauf wollen auch wir reagieren und verabschieden uns mit dem heutigen Tag vom Doppelpunkt und werden zukünftig auf das Sternchen setzen. Damit folgen wir der Position und Empfehlung des DBSV, der sich ausdrücklich gegen den zunehmend verwendeten Gender-Doppelpunkt ausspricht. Neu für euch oder längst Alltag? Teilt eure Gedanken und Erfahrungen mit uns! Du willst mehr darüber wissen 👉 https://lnkd.in/ddw8A8j

What a great event! 🙌 Last week, we brought our most passionate topics to the stage alongside some incredible personalities. In collaboration with our partner university FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, we held the role model and networking event "Empowering Women in STEM Careers" in Erlangen. After a warm welcome by FAU president Joachim Hornegger, we enjoyed an inspiring keynote speech by Katja Joseph from Schaeffler on how learning translates to success in the workplace along with her personal career experiences. Recognizing the immense value of learning from the experiences of others, we transitioned into a panel discussion with Anna Nelles, Dr.-Ing. Silvia Budday, Franziska Mathis-Ullrich, and Teena Nandwani from FAU, as well as Katharina Hesels from Siemens Healthineers - all Femtec alumnae. Thank you for the authentic insights into your career journeys. We took away some valuable insights and summarize: 💡  Don’t try to check every box on the job requirements list - take the chance. 💡  Women aren't in their positions because they got lucky but because they worked hard to be lucky. 💡  Management positions are often filled internally, so building networks essential. 💡  It’s okay to be the only woman in the room - you’ll always be remembered. We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response, which has once again shown us how important it is to talk about women’s #career #paths, and to build women's networks, in male-dominated fields, to give role models a platform, and to spark conversation! With a feeling of #empowerment, we headed home and are already planning the next tour! 💫 A big thank you to FAU for having us, to Nicole Jakob and Dr. Magda Luthay, and to the Career Service as well as the Office of Equality and Diversity for the great support. Another internal thanks to Dr. Imke Leicht and Marion Zeßner – thank you for the energy and time you put into the event – it was truly worth it. Foto Credits: Magda Luthay