Lena Schneyer's path from the German Realschule to receiving an award for the five best Bavarian graduates of dual degree programmes with intensive in-company practice is more than just a career. The story of a young woman in a male-dominated profession.
Published on 15 July 2024
Lena Schneyer looks at the camera with a slightly shy smile. Her eyes sparkle behind her glasses, she welcomes me friendly. Lena is only 25 years old - yet she is already lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at THWS, construction engineer for aircraft parts, and mentor in a Bavarian women mentoring project. She grew up near Bad Neustadt and already as a child she showed a preference for technical toys and constructions. This childhood interest then turned into a love for technology that was supported by her parents. As a small girl, Lena preferred playing with building blocks over dolly. She was also gifted a chemistry set. She went to the German Realschule, a secondary school, after which she completed professional training and her Mechanical Engineering degree. This sounds like a straightforward career - because it is.
From the Girls' Day to construction engineer
Lena laid the corner stone for her career in Realschule. There, she decided for the technical school branch and discovered her passion for mathematics and immersed into the world of science and technology. Already in the 7th grade, she took the first step and completed an internship within the frame of the Girls' Day, that aims to spark girls' interest in STEM-professions.
After finishing Realschule, Lena decided to undertake practical training to become a technical product designer while completing her German Fachabitur (advanced technical college certificate) at the same time. Her path then led to a dual cooperative bachelor's study programme in Mechanical Engineering, which she successfully graduated from in March 2022 despite the challenges posed by the corona pandemic. Thanks to her practical training with Schaeffler, her degree comprises a high degree of practical experience. "The degree programme was quite challenging but due to my vocational training with Schaeffler, I had a link to practice which was highly beneficial," Lena says looking back. Today, after her studies, she works for Schaeffler Aerospace as a construction engineer and designs 3D CAD models of roller bearings for aircraft engines and helicopters.
Lena's dedication is not only represented by her excellent degree grade (1.2) but also by the sum of diverse projects and activities she participated in during her time at THWS. She acted as a tutor, created a degree programme video, was member of an appointment committee, and completed further training in quality management; all of these activities prove her professional and organisation skills.
A highlight of her studies was winning the award as one of the best five dual graduates with intensive in-company training in Bavaria. This award did not only take into account her final grade but also her commitment to the higher education community and her outstanding involvement in activities. Hence, Lena Schneyer is not only a successful construction engineer but also an inspiring character who manages to connect theory and practice.
Lecturer: Connecting theory and practice
What started as student commitment, became an integral part after Lena's graduation. She dedicates two hours per week to THWS to offer practical insights in the additional tutorial on fluid mechanics. This course complements the lecture by Professor Dr. Helge Möbus by adding practice to theory. "In the lectures, students learn the theory. But there is not enough time to complete all the exercises," Lena explains. Her additional tutorial aims to offer a place to "ask seemingly 'stupid' questions" to reduce problems of understanding.
Lena acts as a lecturer for students in different semesters and using different teaching formats, from online courses via Zoom to self-study groups; however, she always takes students' preferences into account. Yet, her objective exceeds mere support in technical matters. "It is about daring to ask such questions. They can be the simplest questions," she emphasises. In an informal and supportive environment, Lena encourages students to not only look for answers but to ask their own questions, too.
Lena shows the students that mathematics and technology do not only exist on paper but are also applied in the real world. Her practice-oriented approach is not limited to the classroom and thus inspires the students to actively look into technology. "What matters to me is that things are illustrated," Lena says. As a lecturer, she becomes the link between theory and practice, and her support encourages students to change their views on the world of technology.
"Well done, boys"
Simultaneously to her professional career, Lena Schneyer commits herself to the BayernMentoring programme that aims to support and promote women in technology. The project offers a platform that enables female students, newcomers and experienced professionals to exchange, network, and learn from each other. In the programme, not only specialist topics are covered but the members also share challenges and experiences made in the technical environment.
Mentors also played a pivotal role in Lena's career. The close connection she had with her female mentor at Schaeffler did not only help her in finding a position for her internship semester but also with her bachelor's thesis. Lena reflects her experiences and emphasises that it is important not to see oneself as the odd one out who must prove themselves excessively. She shares an anecdote from a project presentation during which she, being the only woman, was appraised by a professor saying "Well done, boys". To her, this is one example of the challenges that women face in technical degree programmes.
"Sometimes you might need someone who points you towards the STEM-area who says: 'Would this not be an option for you?'," Lena says speculating about mentors' roles whoever they might be. "Whether it is the parents or someone else who tells young girls 'Hey, there is something, would you be interested in this?' if they might be looking into a different direction at first," she adds. As a mentor in the BayernMentoring programme, Lena wants to share her positive experiences. Not only does she value the personal advantages but also the network and the interesting women she has met thanks to the programme.
Lena's day is not yet over after the evening interview. She still has more appointments today. Determination requires a certain willingness to make sacrifices.
BayernMentoring is a Bavaria-wide support programme for girls and young women at Bavarian universities of applied sciences (HAW), mostly in STEM-programmes and areas (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology). The duration of the mentoring programme is generally one year.
To the German website BayernMentorin at THWS ((https://www.thws.de/beratung-und-service/frauenbeauftragte/angebotderfrauenbeauftragten/bayernmentoring/))
