Here, participants in the Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ) report on their experiences at the University Clinic for Urology at the University of Oldenburg.

Why do a FWJ?

For me, my FWJ can best be described as offering independence, exciting new insights and a sense of direction. Looking back, this year was one of the most important experiences for my career path, but also for my personal development. At the time, I made a conscious decision to do a FWJ because I wanted to gain practical experience to find out whether the medical field really suited me. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to combine research with everyday clinical practice and to gain a real insight into the work at a university hospital.

This is what a typical day looked like for me

My workplace was located right next to the university hospital. This meant I wasn’t just connected to the field of research in theory, but right at the heart of it all. After just a short time, I was allowed to observe many procedures in the operating theatre and experienced everyday clinical life first-hand. At the same time, I was in close contact with PhD students and research staff. This allowed me not only to observe how day-to-day life in a hospital works, but also to understand how medical research is conducted and the effort and collaboration that go into doctoral theses and research projects.
A typical working day usually began with me arriving at the hospital in the morning and first preparing my equipment for the operation. I then got changed and, in the operating theatre, was allowed to help with the general preparations and observe the prostatectomy. My task was to prepare lymph nodes for pathology. I found it particularly fascinating to learn about the procedures in the operating theatre and to see how focused yet experienced the staff are in their work. After the operations, my tasks also included processing the data I had collected in the operating theatre. This involved recording it in tabular form so that the research staff could continue working with it. Later in the day, I often supported PhD students and research staff with their projects outside the main study. This included organisational tasks, minor scientific activities and contributing to various research projects. This made my day-to-day work very varied and allowed me to gain an insight into many different areas.

My personal ‘wow’ moment

I was particularly impressed by the atmosphere in the operating theatre. Before my voluntary year, I’d expected the atmosphere there to be very tense and strict. In fact, I found that whilst the work required a high level of concentration, it was often much more relaxed and laid-back than I’d imagined. My personal ‘wow’ moment, however, was when I was allowed to hold a hook at the operating table during an operation and was even able to place a small part of a suture at the end. At that moment, I realised just how close this year had allowed me to get to practical medicine. It was an incredibly exciting and motivating experience for me.

My personal development

As well as gaining professional insights, I’ve also developed a great deal personally. I’ve learnt to work more independently and to take on responsibility. Above all, I’ve learnt to approach people openly and to present myself with greater self-confidence. At first, I found it difficult to speak to strangers or make phone calls. Over time, however, I became increasingly confident and realised how important communication is in day-to-day working life. I also learnt how to conduct myself in a professional environment and to remain calm even in stressful situations.

When I think of research today, …

I associate it above all with teamwork. During my FWJ, I learnt that medical research only works when many different people work together. Doctors, researchers, nursing staff and students all contribute to enabling medical progress and gaining new insights. I was particularly impressed by the motivation of so many staff members who work every day to better understand diseases and improve treatment options.

My conclusion

Even though some tasks were tiring or challenging, I learnt an incredible amount this year. For me, the FWJ was definitely not a ‘lost year’, but a valuable experience that helped me develop both professionally and personally. I was able to gain many new insights and make new contacts.

My recommendation for anyone interested

That’s why I’d recommend a FWJ to anyone interested in medicine, science or everyday hospital life who’s still unsure about which career path to take. The year offers the chance to get to know different areas, gain practical experience and get a better sense of what you’re capable of. The most important thing is to find a work group that suits your own interests, as the opportunities during a FWJ are very diverse.

And after that? Here’s what’s next for me

For me personally, the FWJ has reinforced my desire to study medicine. During this year, I’ve already sat the TMS and HAM-Nat exams and given a lot of thought to my future path. Following the FWJ, I’ll also be doing a one-month nursing placement. Overall, this year has really reaffirmed my decision and shown me that I can definitely see myself pursuing a career in the medical field.

Why did you decide to do a voluntary research year?

After finishing Abitur, I was still very unsure about which career path to take. However, even whilst at school, I had no doubt that I’d like to go into the natural sciences or biology. But I wanted to find out a bit more about the various degree programmes and not make a hasty decision, which is why I opted for a one-year voluntary service placement. Whilst researching potential Bufdi placements, I came across the FWJ and decided fairly quickly to apply, as there are no other options with a scientific focus in this region.

Where are you based and what are your responsibilities?

I work alongside another FWJ volunteer at the University Clinic for Urology in the Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. My research group focuses primarily on prostate cancer and conducts a wide variety of urological studies. My duties mainly involve assisting with clinical trials in the operating theatre. In the operating theatre, we help to dissect and document lymph nodes. We also independently maintain a wide variety of Excel spreadsheets and occasionally assist PhD students in finding data and conducting research for their theses.

What has pleasantly surprised you?

What has surprised me most positively are the people I work with every day. Despite the stressful day-to-day routine in the hospital, everyone always makes an effort to help or answer any questions that come up. What’s more, I was given a great deal of responsibility very early on. I became part of the working group straight away, with a specific task that was assigned solely to me. Right from the start, I felt that the working group trusted me with the tasks and was glad that we were helping out.

What have you learnt so far during your voluntary service?

Above all, a great deal of independence. Because I was given so much responsibility so early on, independence and personal accountability were, so to speak, prerequisites for the job. I’ve learnt to organise my daily routine myself and to manage my available time effectively. I’ve also gained a lot of insight into working life and can now picture how things work in a hospital and at a university.

What advice would you give to future FWJ volunteers?

If you need another year to find your feet or simply want to take a year out and are interested in the natural sciences, the FWJ is a great opportunity for you. Be open to new experiences and embrace your new environment; this will open up many opportunities and experiences for you. Also, be aware that there will be periods when things aren’t so busy and you don’t have much to do. During such periods, it’s important that you can keep yourself occupied and use the time, for example, for research or to think about your future studies.

My name is Luca and, since 1 September 2020, I have been doing a voluntary research year at the University Clinic for Urology in Oldenburg.

Perhaps you’re feeling exactly the same right now as I did a year ago: the Abitur is just around the corner and you’re having to think about what you want to do next and what the future holds for you.

If you have a keen interest in biology, chemistry and, above all, medicine, then the FWJ at the University Clinic for Urology at Oldenburg University Hospital is probably just the thing for you.

My research group is conducting various studies on urological tumours, and I assist with these as a research assistant. When a patient undergoes a radical prostatectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy due to prostate cancer, I assist in the operating theatre. First, the probe must be set up, as the surgeon uses it to measure the magnetic activity of the lymph nodes in the body and thus identify the sentinel lymph nodes. The magnetic activity is generated by iron oxide nanoparticles, which are injected into the prostate prior to surgery. The sentinel lymph nodes must be selectively removed, as this is where the risk of metastases is greatest. I document the lymph nodes, take follow-up measurements and prepare them for pathology. The probe must then, of course, be cleaned and dismantled.

As well as the tasks during an operation, there are, of course, office duties too. I transfer the recorded values and other information into various Excel spreadsheets. I also take on other administrative tasks, such as drafting and sending out patient consent forms and information sheets for further studies.

I also carry out tasks such as centrifuging and freezing blood samples, or assisting doctoral candidates.

When I first attended an operation, I was very nervous and unsure, but I’ve since become more confident and I really enjoy working in the operating theatre. I’ve also grown to like the administrative tasks, and overall I can say that very little else has given me as much enjoyment as this voluntary year so far. Here, I’ve had the chance to get a taste of hospital life and gain my first medical experiences. You’re not just exploited as ‘cheap labour’ here; Dr Winter and Dr Engels are genuinely keen to teach you something. No matter how many questions I ask, I always get a detailed and precise answer. I’ve also already been allowed to stand at the operating table during several operations and hold the retractor. Standing at the operating table is always particularly exciting, as that’s the only place from which you can really see everything.

Something else I particularly enjoyed was spending a day on the urology ward. I took part in the ward rounds, was allowed to watch and help out in the A&E department and with planned admissions, and then attended the afternoon handover meeting.

Before starting my voluntary academic year, I would never have expected to be given so many opportunities to get to know everyday hospital life, to be allowed to work with such a high degree of autonomy, and to take on so many exciting tasks.

Anyone who gets the chance to complete a Voluntary Academic Year at the University of Oldenburg can count themselves truly lucky. Because, as well as the experience you gain in your research group, there are also the seminar days at the university, where you can exchange ideas with other volunteers and learn even more about your degree programme. Our most recent training days, for example, focused on self-organisation during your studies and time management.

As you can see from my experience report, the FWJ therefore provides the ideal bridge between Abitur and university. Not only do you learn a great deal of subject-specific knowledge here, but you also have the chance to develop personally. Among other things, I’ve managed to overcome my fear of making phone calls, and I’m no longer as shy as I was at school.

To you, as a potential future volunteer, I’d like to offer this piece of advice: make the most of the opportunities that come your way. If something interests you, find out more about it; if there’s something you don’t understand, ask; and if there’s something specific you’d like to do, speak up. Here on the urology ward, everyone is really lovely and genuinely keen to show you new things.

Where are you based and what are your responsibilities?

I’m based at the University Clinic for Urology in Oldenburg. Here, I’m assisting with a study into the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. The urology department at Oldenburg University Hospital is using a new method to detect so-called sentinel lymph nodes with the aid of iron nanoparticles. During ‘radical prostatectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection’, the prostate and a number of lymph nodes are surgically removed from the patient. During the operation, I am responsible for documenting the removed lymph nodes, measuring the activity of the iron nanoparticles using a magnetic probe, and preparing the specimens. After the operation, I transfer the data into Excel spreadsheets. It’s worth noting that my daily routine often varies, depending on whether and when an operation is scheduled and how long it takes. Sometimes I’m given tasks by doctoral candidates, such as selecting specific data or adding it to records. In addition, I attend an English course at the university with other FWJ participants, where we can improve our language skills.

Sample daily routine

Why did you decide to do a Voluntary Academic Year?

After my Abitur, I was unsure about which degree to choose. I’m very interested in medicine, but I wasn’t 100 per cent sure whether a career as a doctor was the right choice for me. The Voluntary Research Year in urology offers me the ideal career guidance, as I’m gaining an in-depth insight into day-to-day hospital life. It’s also practical preparation for the kind of research work I’ll encounter during my degree. You benefit from being close to the university and the students. My aim, therefore, is to use the Voluntary Research Year to help me decide on my degree course, gain practical experience and get an insight into the hospital, the university and the world of science.

What has been your highlight so far?

The most exciting part is when I’m allowed to assist during an operation. When you’re standing at the operating table, you have a much better view of what’s happening, and the surgeons are happy to explain their approach to you. I’ve also had the opportunity to assist with other operations, such as a laparoscopic nephrectomy or a circumcision.

Why did you choose the University of Oldenburg?

I applied to both the University of Oldenburg and the MHH in Hanover. But I’m glad to have been accepted at the University of Oldenburg. With nine volunteers here, it feels very much like a close-knit community, and we’ve already got to know each other well through monthly seminars. The voluntary service is very well organised, and any questions you have are dealt with straight away.

What advice would you give to future volunteers?

Have the courage to try new things so that you can come away from this year with more experience. I used to always look away during surgery scenes in films, but now operations are an integral part of my working week. During a FWJ, it’s also important to show interest and approach tasks with motivation. So always ask if something isn’t clear, or if you want to find out more about a particular topic.