• Student representative for the period 2023 - 2024

I think the biggest challenges were to coordinate the organization of events, and especially the symposium, with planning of experiments in the lab. This was for sure something, I was struggling with at times. 

Thankfully, I was part of a very engaged and well organized team of co-representatives, that made multi-tasking on this level possible.

Personally, the networking aspect was the greatest benefit for me. Over the course of this year, I was not only able to get in touch with many students from the whole scool, but also PIs from the other panels, which I likely would not have experienced to this extent without this role. 

These conversations not only helped sparking ideas for our social events and how to make the doctoral school better, but also provided a lot of ideas for my personal development during and after my PhD. Moreover, getting to know this year's symposium keynote speakers and company representatives of the career event for sure sparked a lot of interesting discussions and possibilities for my future as well.

• Student Representative for the period 2023 - 2024

One of my key challenges has been finding the best opportunities to bring together students from diverse backgrounds and research fields to create a strong sense of community within our school. 

Fortunately, working alongside a highly motivated team of co-representatives, all dedicated to finding the best solutions, has made the challenge of teamwork much smoother and incredibly rewarding. Serving as a student representative for one year provided me with the opportunity to work alongside my co-representatives and the DoSChem Management, allowing me to gain new and invaluable experiences that helped broaden my horizons and enhance my professional development. 

One of the greatest benefits of this role was gaining fresh inspiration and motivation through meaningful connections with fellow students and new friends across the academic community.

• Student Representative for the period 2023 - 2024

This year as a student representative has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has provided me with the opportunity to enhance valuable skills, particularly in event management, as I was involved in organizing our latest symposium. Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting many new faces within the school and learning about the fascinating projects of other PhD students.

One of the most interesting aspects of the role was organizing the monthly gatherings, which served as team-building and connection activities. These events enabled me to interact with students from different research groups, fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of community that I might not have achieved otherwise. Acting as a point of contact for students also gave me insight into their concerns and ideas, further enriching the experience.

One of the most significant challenges of being a student representative is managing time effectively. Balancing academic responsibilities with the demands of the role can be tough, particularly during large-scale events such as symposiums.

The most rewarding part of this experience has been the meaningful connections I’ve built with others. It has greatly contributed to my professional and personal development, helping me improve key skills such as public speaking, gathering and presenting information, and collaborating with diverse groups.