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Interview with Mareike Meininger

From October 2024

After graduating from high school, Mareike Meininger initially wanted to study dentistry, but the required grade point average
was not achieved. With no alternative plan, she decided to do a voluntary year of social service (FSJ) and worked in a centre for blind and visually impaired children and young people. During this time, in which she enjoyed working with the children, she began to look for a suitable degree programme. Through careers fairs and the advice of a professor friend of her father's, she discovered materials science. The subject fascinated her, as it stood out in particular for the opportunity to develop socially relevant materials. Since May 2022, Mareike Meininger has been working as an application specialist and sales representative at Evident Europe GmbH, formerly part of the Olympus Corporation.

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Mareike Meininger_TUBAF

You studied in Freiberg. What made you decide to study at the Bergakademie?

When I was deciding where to study, I looked at the TU Dresden as well as Ilmenau on the recommendation of a friend. However, I was disappointed by the overcrowded lecture theatres. As Freiberg is not far from Dresden, I decided to give this
university a chance as well. Once I arrived in Freiberg and at the TU Bergakademie, I knew immediately that I would feel at home here and that I wanted to study here. Another plus point for me was that the TU Bergakademie Freiberg offers the materials engineering
as a degree programme.

What did you learn during your studies in Freiberg that is particularly helpful for your current (research) work?

I learned that it pays to keep at it and want to get to the bottom of things. This has enabled me to familiarise myself with areas and issues that I had no idea about and that I wouldn't have dared to do before.

What lasting memories do you associate with your time at TU Bergakademie Freiberg?

I associate my time studying in Freiberg with the fact that you reach your goal faster with teamwork and that it's more fun. I couldn't have imagined my studies without the study groups.

When you look back on your studies with the knowledge you have today: is there anything you would do differently or what you would pay attention to? 

However, I didn't find the industry-related practical relevance and therefore the opportunity to apply what I had learnt in some subjects to be enough. From today's perspective, I would communicate this or incorporate a voluntary internship during the semester break.

What advice would you like to give to current students in Freiberg?

Enjoy your time and student life in Freiberg.

From your perspective, what is particularly interesting about your current job? 

What I find particularly interesting about my job is that I deal with many different people from industry and research and gain insights into various technical procedures and manufacturing processes. It is also enriching that I can understand and assess the customer samples and thus the requirements for the microscope thanks to my knowledge from my studies.

Do you still have professional or private contacts with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg today?

I still have contact with my fellow students and some of them still live in Freiberg, for example to do their doctorates. When I visit them in Freiberg, I still have direct or indirect contact with the TU.

At the end, tell us your life motto?

Giving up is not an option.

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Mareike Meininger_ALUMNI

Short & sweet

My studies:
First lecture: 7:30 am or 2 pm?: 7:30 am
Favourite meal in the canteen?: Forked spaghetti with beluga lentil ragout
Freiberger beer or Saxon wine? Beer, I don't remember any parties with wine ;)
Uni dress code: Jacket or sweatshirt?: Sweatshirt
My university:
My "quiet place": Alte Elli
My "I've never been there place": Krüger-Haus
My "good soul": Mrs Trubitz
My "no-go": Prejudices about "Ossis" and "Wessis"
My favourite lecturer: Dr Dalke & Dr Weidner
My toughest exam: Procedural programming "Prozprog"