Experience reports from the FWJ in the Ecological Economy department
Experience reports from the FWJ in the Ecological Economy department
Here, participants in the Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ) report on their experiences in the Department of Ecological Economics at the University of Oldenburg.
Lea H., FWJ 2025/2026
I am completing my Voluntary Scientific Year in the field of ecological economics. What's special about it is that my place of work is one of the few that doesn't focus on medicine or traditional natural sciences, but is interdisciplinary in nature, which only made me realise during my FWJ how diverse the term "science" actually is.
I decided to do the FWJ primarily because I was unsure about my career choice. I was already interested in studying economics, but I wasn't sure whether a dual or traditional degree programme would suit me better. Thanks to the insights I gained and the exchange with students, I realised that a dual study programme would suit me better than a traditional full-time course. I now have a place on a dual study programme in Business Administration.
My everyday life is very varied: in addition to tasks such as social media work, website maintenance, literature research and data analysis, I also work with students and help prepare lectures and workshops. I particularly like this mixture of routine and new insights. One particular highlight was an excursion with students to the Werder stadium, which showed me how practical and varied scientific work can be.
The team is a big plus for me. I was welcomed openly right from the start and feel like an integral part whose work is greatly appreciated.
I can recommend the FWJ to anyone who wants to get their bearings. It offers the opportunity to gain a lot of experience, get to know different people and develop both professionally and personally. Especially through the exchange with other FWJ participants, you gain insights into very different areas and realise that you are not alone with your lack of orientation.
Paul Kohler, FWJ 2024/2025
Why did you decide to do a Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ)?
I decided to do a Voluntary Scientific Year because I was still unsure about my choice of study and career at the time. During this phase of disorientation, I received an email from my school informing me about the FWJ programme. This news came at an ideal time and helped me gain a valuable perspective on my professional and academic future.
Where are you employed and what are your areas of responsibility?
I work in the Ecological Economics working group and support the team in various areas. My tasks range from public relations, such as managing a YouTube channel and maintaining the website, to literature research and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of data. I also provide support at stakeholder meetings and provide technical assistance when problems arise. Other activities include creative tasks such as designing lecture slides and posters.
What surprised you positively
I was particularly positively surprised by the openness and friendliness of my working group and the way in which I was integrated into the day-to-day academic work. I have the feeling that I am a fully-fledged member of the team, which is greatly appreciated. I get both support and enough freedom to develop myself individually, which helps me a lot in learning new skills and gaining clarity in orienting my academic appointment.
What have you learnt during your voluntary service so far?
I have gained an in-depth insight into research and teaching at a university and was able to gain experience in a university environment before I even started my degree programme. I have learnt about both the advantages and disadvantages of everyday academic work. I also noticed a significant improvement in my technical skills, especially in dealing with programmes such as Typo3 and Excel. However, the biggest change I noticed was in my approach to academic appointments, which I now approach with new structures and more creativity, which has significantly increased my performance.
What advice would you give to future volunteers?
I would advise future volunteers to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible during this year. The insights you can gain during this time are worth their weight in gold, and you have the opportunity to get to know interesting people with a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications. It is important not to see the FWJ as a classic nine-to-five job, but as an opportunity to gain experience that can significantly advance your personal development. If you embrace the concept and actively take advantage of the orientation opportunities, such as observing lectures and conducting interviews, you will benefit enormously both professionally and personally.