enterJOB: Amelie Fischer - Genuine Insights

"I went to Kenya as a learner," says Amelie Fischer. After graduating from high school, the South German was keen to do voluntary service. "I had the opportunity to spend several months in a Catholic children's home in Kenya. I am also grateful for the reflective preparation for my stay there." Participants in the programme spoke in seminars about their own privileges and took critical perspectives on colonialism and racism.

The time in Kenya changed Amelie Fischer's view of Africa: "German reporting is often still clichéd and crisis-oriented. But there is much more to the African continent." She is in her sixth semester studying political science with a minor in sustainability studies. "Leuphana's study model with the possibility to combine subjects convinced me." Three years ago, Amelie Fischer moved to Ilmenau from Baden-Württemberg: "I deliberately didn't set myself any spatial limits. I preferred to find the right study programme for me. In the end, Leuphana was the farthest university-at least in terms of kilometres."

Amelie Fischer began her studies during the Corona pandemic, which meant she had to do without personal contacts and practical experience for three semesters. "That's why I was very keen to take part in the Career Service's EnterJOB mentoring programme. It allows me to make up for some of the lost practice."

EnterJOB is aimed in particular at students who will soon be completing their studies and would like to get a taste of their dream job. Talks with representatives from the respective occupational group are not only intended to provide insights into practice, but also to help students reflect on their own career aspirations. Amelie Fischer has not let go of her time in Kenya: "Later on, I would like to help paint a realistic and differentiated picture of Africa here in Germany - whether as a journalist or at an NGO or foundation. That's why she asked Deutsche Welle correspondent Mariel Müller to be her mentor. "In addition, a female perspective was important to me," explains Amelie Fischer.

Students apply for the enterJOB mentoring programme with a letter of motivation: What are the possible paths and stations of their future life and career? What talents and competences are available? What do diversity competencies mean for the applicant? Participants in the enterJOB programme look for a mentor with whom they would like to talk about possible career prospects. The contact is then established via Leuphana.

When Mariel Müller from Deutsche Welle agreed to take part in enterJOB, Amelie Fischer was particularly pleased: "She lives and works in Nairobi, travels a lot for her work and is not much older than me. The journalist took a lot of time to talk to Amelie Fischer about a possible professional future: "She told me: 'Biographies can be diverse. There is not one predefined path.'" The correspondent advised further internships in order to gain more experience and to set herself up broadly. But she also took time to read texts by Amelie Fischer. The student writes for an online feminist magazine about global injustices, power structures or intersectional feminism. "But Mariel also talked to me about her own reportages and reports. She is very reflective about her work. That was exciting for me."

Amelie Fischer is now working in Kenya again. This time she is doing an internship at the Goethe-Institut: "I am working there in public relations. The Goethe-Institut promotes the local art and culture scene in Nairobi." For the student, it's also an opportunity to talk to Mariel Müller again: "She's also in Nairobi and we have already talked"