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’m 19 years old, I completed my Abitur in 2022, and I’m doing my FWJ at the University Institute of Medical Genetics during the 2022/2023 academic year.

Why did I decide to do a FWJ?

When you have the choice between ‘going straight from school to university to study for a career that you don’t even know yet whether you really want to pursue for the rest of your life’ or ‘gaining practical experience in the workplace first and getting to know university life better’, the decision is quite obvious to me. I’m also really keen on science, which is why an FSJ or an FÖJ weren’t options for me. The FWJ also promises to give me a chance to get to know the University of Oldenburg a bit better, which was a strong argument in favour of the FWJ for me, as I’d like to study at this university later on.

Where am I based and what are my responsibilities?

I work at the University Institute of Medical Genetics and, naturally, I focus particularly on genetics, DNA and molecular biology. My day-to-day work consists of a variety of laboratory tasks, such as preparing and carrying out PCRs, extracting DNA from blood or sequencing genes. If you’re now thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, that sounds complicated!’, don’t worry – I didn’t know anything about most of these things either to begin with, and I was gradually introduced to everything with plenty of support from my research group.

But it’s not just the work in the lab that’s important in my job. I also have to document my work properly and carry out research for new projects. That means reading lots of studies and articles, which has so far broadened my horizons with a wealth of information (did you know that only female cats can have three coat colours and that if male cats 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 for this:

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

What challenges have I had to face so far?

I’m the first FWJ volunteer in my work group. That means I couldn’t draw on any experience from previous FWJ volunteers in my work group. Although I did receive a great deal of support from my work group, I still had to figure out and teach myself a lot of things. My work group has certainly learnt a lot as a result. For example, at the start of my FWJ I didn’t have working computer access, and it took a whole week before I could properly get on with my work. Frank W. will be your best friend at the hospital – don’t fall out with him. He’s in charge of all the IT and has a solution for every problem.

Finding your way around the hospital isn’t exactly the easiest thing either. You should never forget to check the site map before heading to an appointment!

What pleasantly surprised me?

There are several things.

First of all, there are the incredibly friendly colleagues. My team is very courteous and helpful. Any problems can be sorted out through a conversation, all requests and wishes can be met (within reason), and there are no stupid questions.

What’s more, you’re given a great deal of responsibility. If you’ve ever done a work placement in a pharmacy or a lab, you’re probably used to shadowing and just observing. In the FWJ, you’re allowed, expected and actually required to get stuck in. Here, you work with real patients, real blood and real illnesses. You have to be aware of the responsibility you bear, but it’s a wonderful feeling to be trusted so much.

Then there are the training days. During the FWJ, you have to complete a number of training days. When I first heard about this, I’d imagined lecture-style talks – eight boring hours in a classroom. But the opposite is true: there are hardly any boring lectures, because most of the time the group works things out for themselves and discusses their findings. We often work outdoors too, going for walks and on excursions. The training days are always a lovely change of pace.

Finally, there’s the food in the hospital canteen – it’s actually really good and quite cheap. Before you go and buy a bread roll from the baker’s every day, you should top up your hospital card and make the most of the canteen.

What will this year bring me?

Over the last few months, I’ve already gained a lot of practical knowledge that I’m sure will stand me in good stead later in my career. I’ve also got to know student life and the university better, which will definitely make it easier for me to settle into student life. I’m also certain that what I’m currently doing during my FWJ fulfils all my expectations of my dream job, and that this is exactly what I want to do in the future.
The training days have also taught me a great deal that I can use in my everyday life and later on, whether as a student, a researcher or otherwise.

What have I learnt so far during my FWJ?

I could now describe every process in the lab that I can carry out by heart, but I’ll just describe it as ‘various methods and ways of working in the lab’.

During one of the training days, we also learnt a great deal about time and self-management, which I can now apply in my daily life to organise myself and my tasks more effectively. We also learnt how to work correctly in a scientific context and what science actually is.

But what’s really important to me is that I’ve met loads of really lovely people – whether in the research group or amongst the other FWJ volunteers – who are all on the same wavelength as me.

What advice would I give to future volunteers?

Firstly, regarding the application: when the job vacancies were first advertised, I thought I’d found the perfect role for me. I wrote an application and intended to leave it at that. However, I later changed my mind and wrote another application. Much later, another vacancy was advertised, for which I also applied. It was this final application that ultimately secured me the FWJ placement I’m currently doing. By sending out so many applications, I had a better chance of getting a place than if I’d only sent off the first one. So: apply for roles that aren’t your first choice too. Every role brings surprises, and during the FWJ itself you’ll have the chance to get a taste of other working groups. So don’t limit yourself – make the most of the three applications you’re allowed to submit. And if not all the working groups appeal to you straight away, hold off on your final application and see if another position is advertised later on. That way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to join the FWJ.

Here’s another great tip: if you need to use the bus or train to get to work, get the VWG’s TIM ticket. Thirty euros a month is much cheaper than commuting by car every day, paying for parking or buying a ticket every day.

And finally: don’t let your doubts hold you back. You’ll find people in the FWJ who you get on well with. You’ll get through your day-to-day work. You’ll carry out your tasks well. You don’t need to be afraid of the FWJ or all the things that come with it. You’ve got this!

This article from the NWZ dated 7 February 2023 contains further information about Melissa’s FWJ.