28/05/2014
Interview of the month: DHBW studies informatics
Lukas Leitenberger is studying informatics at DHBW (Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University) in Heidenheim und is currently in his third year. He has already worked in several departments of Voith GmbH and completed a practical internship in China. In this interview he talks about his studies.
What do you find so fascinating about your study course?
Many fundamental technologies, which we are taken for granted today, are largely based on old and proven inventions in technical informatics. This study course does not ask, how, for example, a programming language is used, but why and how it works. This approach from an engineer's point of view conveys a deeper understanding of computer technology and allows the student to quickly become acquainted with new solutions that are based on established and proven technologies. The information technology study course starts with the electro-technical basics and then combines them with information technology knowhow, in order to move on into pure informatics. What fascinates me about technical informatics is the completely logical structure of computer systems, and how they can save us a great deal of work through internally developed algorithms.
What are the pros and cons of your studies?
A positive aspect is definitely that one is quickly given interesting tasks during the practical phase at Voith and thus becomes part of really sophisticated projects. As a result I came across many different departments during my studies and was able to gather practical knowhow. If there is a negative side, then it's probably the familiarization period in each of these departments - it always takes at least two weeks before one knows the ropes and can join in properly.
What I like about the university is that we are taught in relatively small classes. In addition, the faculty is also still quite small with a very personal touch. The professors are able to offer individual support and mentoring. The entry into the course is definitely challenging, but things become easier as time passes. Overall, the study course is very time-intensive during the theoretical phase, because there is so much subject matter to be absorbed over a very short period. Therefore, there is sometimes little time to delve deeper into certain areas. But you can make up for this in the practical phase with a bit of self-initiative.
Even if the change between the phases is always slightly stressful, there is also a positive side: it is simply never boring. And because Voith and DHBW are at the same place, one only needs one home for the entire year and does not have to move.
Would you choose a DHBW study course again?
There are several reasons that clearly speak in favor of a DHBW study course. On the one hand there is the intensive support and the encouragement by the company and DHBW. On the other hand there is the well-founded and high-quality theoretical training. The excellent professors are recognized scientists who have periodically worked in industry themselves, and therefore know what really counts in practical working life. Even if studying informatics can often be very theoretical, we still get in touch with reality during our practical training. To me, DHBW stands for high-quality studies combined with practical experience, and therefore I would choose it again at any time.
Which of your hobbies/personal characteristics help you in your job?
The stereotypical image that informatics scientists spend their days sitting in dark basements in front of computers is outdated. Informatics is an interface occupation in a company. We offer solutions for our customers, and each system is interlocked with at least one other system. I'd like to think that my distinctive communication skills help me to get the information required for optimum and reliable problem solutions fairly quickly and thoroughly. My passion for puzzle solving also helps. It rarely ever happens that a solution works instantly. And then one must not bury one's head in the sand, but carry on researching and think outside the box until the problem has been found and eliminated.
What, in your opinion, made you gain your university place?
I think my open-minded approach is a key for success. Logical thinking, as well as my ability to view a problem in its entirety, were certainly decisive factors. Nevertheless, a good school leaving certificate with a special focus on natural sciences is always an advantage. A number of practical internships and activities outside school also underlined my interests and capabilities.
How do you see your career opportunities after your studies?
I think we all have very good chances, since dual students with 1.5 years of practical experiences are ready for immediate employment. They have made contacts in the company, know the interfaces and the problems and are able to weigh up their fields of interest and their working speed. The trend towards electronic control and the networking of devices will continue to grow strongly. Technical informatics provide solutions for these problems. As an informatics specialist you do not have to fear the future. Voith, too, offers many opportunities for this line of occupation: one can create global information technology systems at IT Solutions for the Voith Group, or develop control software for our large, complex machines at Voith Hydro, Turbo or Paper.
Thank you very much.
