Here, participants in the Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ) report on their experiences at the University Institute of Medical Genetics at the University of Oldenburg.

Hello, my name is Melissa, I am 19 years old, I graduated from high school in 2022 and I am doing my FWJ at the University Institute of Medical Genetics in the 2022/2023 cycle.

Why did I decide to do an FWJ?

When you have the choice between "going straight from school to university to learn for an academic appointment that you don't even know if you really want to do all your life" or "first gaining practical experience in everyday working life and getting to know studying better", the decision is very obvious to me. I am also very enthusiastic about science, which is why an FSJ or FÖJ were out of the question for me. The FWJ also promises to get to know the University of Oldenburg a little better, which was a good argument in favour of the FWJ for me, as I would like to study at this university later on.

Where am I employed and what are my areas of responsibility?

I work at the University Institute of Medical Genetics and of course I'm particularly involved in genetics, DNA and molecular biology. My daily routine consists of varied laboratory tasks, such as preparing and carrying out PCRs, extracting DNA from blood or sequencing genes. If you're thinking "Oh God, that sounds complicated!", don't worry, I had no idea about most things beforehand and was slowly introduced to everything with a lot of support from my working group.

But not only the work in the lab is important in my work. I also have to document my work properly and research new projects. This means reading a lot of studies or papers, which has broadened my horizons so far (did you know that only female cats can have three coat colours and that if males are tricoloured, they have an extra X chromosome? Very interesting!).

Why am I doing my voluntary service at the University of Oldenburg of all places?

There are several reasons:

1. The University of Oldenburg is the only university in the area that offers such a programme
2. I live near the university
3. I would like to study at the University of Oldenburg later on
4. The testimonials on the website are all very positive
5. The University of Oldenburg offers many additional opportunities during the voluntary service (e.g. guest lectures)

What challenges have I faced so far?

I am the first FWJ volunteer in my working group. That means I haven't been able to benefit from any experience of previous FWJ volunteers in my working group. Although I had a lot of support from my working group, I still had to discover and teach myself a lot of things. My working group certainly learnt a lot as a result. For example, at the beginning of the FWJ, I didn't have a functioning computer connection and it took a whole week before I was able to start working properly. Frank W. will be your best friend at the hospital, so don't get it wrong. He's in charge of all the IT and has a solution to every problem.

It's not the easiest thing to find your way around the hospital. You should never forget to look at the site plan before making an appointment!

What surprised me positively?

There were several things.

Firstly, the incredibly nice colleagues. My work group is very obliging and helpful. All problems can be clarified in a conversation, all wishes and requests can be fulfilled (to a certain extent) and there are no stupid questions.

You are also given a lot of responsibility. If you've already done an internship in a pharmacy or a laboratory, you're probably used to playing shadow and just observing. In the FWJ, you can, should and must really get hands-on. Here you work with real patients, with real blood and real illnesses. You have to be aware of the responsibility you have, but it's a great feeling to be trusted so much.

Then there are the training days. In the FWJ you have to complete a few training days. When I first heard this, I was thinking of classroom-style lectures, boring eight hours in a classroom. But the opposite is the case: there are hardly any boring lectures because the group usually works on something themselves and discusses their findings. Work is also often done outdoors, there are walks and excursions. The educational days are always a nice change.

Finally, there's the food in the hospital canteen, which is really good and quite cheap. Before you get a bread roll from the bakery every day, you should top up your hospital card and benefit from the canteen.

What will this year bring me?

I've already acquired a lot of practical knowledge in the last few months, which I can certainly benefit from later in my professional life. I've also got to know student life and the university better, which will definitely make it easier for me to start student life. I'm also sure that what I'm currently doing in the FWJ fulfils all my ideas of my dream job and that's exactly what I want to do in my future.
The educational days have also taught me a lot that I can use in everyday life and later in life, regardless of whether I'm a student, scientist or not.

What have I learnt so far during my FWJ?

I could describe every process in the lab that I can now do by heart, but I'll describe it as "different methods and ways of working in the lab".

On a training day, we also learned a lot about time and self-management, which I can now use in everyday life to better organise myself and my tasks. We also learnt how to work properly in science and what science really is.

But most importantly for me, I got to know a lot of really nice people, whether in the working group or in the FWJ group, who all have a similar mindset to me.

What advice would I give to future volunteers?

Firstly, about the application: I thought I had found the perfect position for me at the beginning of the job advertisements. I wrote an application and wanted to leave it at that. However, I later changed my mind and wrote another application. Much later, I received another job advert, which I also applied for. This last application ultimately landed me the FWJ placement that I am currently doing. Thanks to the many applications, I had a better chance of getting a job than if I had only sent in the first one. That's why you should also apply for jobs that aren't your favourite. Every position brings surprises and the FWJ itself gives you the chance to get a taste of other working groups. So don't limit yourself and make the most of the three applications you are given. And if not all of the working groups initially appeal to you, then wait with your final application and see if another position is advertised later. This will give you plenty of opportunities to get into the FWJ.

Another great tip: if you have to use the bus or train to get to work, get the TIM ticket from the VWG. Thirty euros a month is much cheaper than commuting by car every day, parking or buying a ticket every day.

And last but not least: don't let insecurities stop you. You will find people in the FWJ with whom you get on well. You will get through the day-to-day work. You will perform your tasks well. You don't have to be afraid of the FWJ and all the things that will come your way. You can do it!

In this article from the NWZ from 07.02.2023 you can find more information about Melissa's FWJ.