The title doesn’t just rhyme; it’s also the (admittedly slightly shortened) mission statement of our latest Innovation Lab. 26 of our Femteccies dedicated themselves to a real-life business challenge for four months during their Career-Building Program. This year, Amazon has entered the race with a first-time assignment: the implementation of a new rotation system for their distribution centre!
Before Amazon orders arrive at our homes, they pass through many diligent hands. To provide their employees with a healthy and diverse work experience, regular position rotations are carried out. Our Femteccies took the lead here and lived up to the „Innovation Lab“-title, offering new and innovative ideas for an optimized rotation process!
To create and refine the new rotation system, our Femteccies immersed themselves in the task during an intensive kick-off week. They embarked on a comprehensive exploration, including an insightful visit to one of the logistics centres. „Initially, we were faced with a huge amount of information. We thoroughly examined each position, and together with Amazon group leaders, a physiotherapist, and workers, we understood each role’s nature. Moreover, the dynamic demand for workers at different times, like during the festive season, was duly considered in our planning process. The process of documenting the entire endeavour alone proved to be a monumental undertaking, marking a remarkable milestone in our journey!“ – (Marilia, Class 42).
Following the data collection, the search for practical tools ensued. The result: an app-based computer software that meets Amazon’s needs. „Amazon will indeed implement most of our ideas and software solutions.“ A great success for Amazon but particularly for our Femteccies, who had the opportunity to present their results to various high-level representatives of Amazon last week.
From the meeting room to the swimming pool
It was a strong team effort, and the team spirit extended beyond the project. „One of us had a swimming competition a week before the presentation. We will be there to support and cheer her on.“ This team sure knows how to keep their ideas afloat!
We are consistently proud of the impressive outcomes at the end of each Inno-Lab and extend our congratulations for such a fantastic result once again!
Our mobility needs to become climate neutral. In pursuit of this goal, our collaborative partner, Daimler Truck, has embarked on a new journey with our scholarship recipients. Through our Career Building Programme and the Innovation Lab, 26 brilliant Femteccies have undertaken a „Strategic Analysis of Decentralized Energy Supply“ with the world’s leading vehicle manufacturer.
At the core of their task was the exploration of methods to generate green electricity for e-mobility while harmonizing various environmental and customer requirements. A taff task; however, our Femteccies managed to find solutions within a mere four months!
But before we revel in their accomplishments, let us trace back to the beginning: In March of this year, the journey commenced with a kick-off event in Berlin. Followed by a period that was both work- and learning-intensive. Interviews were conducted, data was simulated, customer needs were identified, scenarios were developed, and concrete solutions were crafted! Throughout the process, the scholarship recipients were consistently supported by Daimler Truck. „We had weekly meetings where we could directly reach out to experts with our questions and concerns. The collaboration was conducted on both a highly professional and personal level“ – (Jasmin, Class 42).
At the conclusion of the four-month Innovation Lab, an impressive outcome emerged – a business plan, various tools, and new expertise! This not only benefits Daimler Truck, but particularly our Femteccies. „I have gained a wealth of new knowledge, not just in terms of content, but especially regarding project work and organizational skills. Working with my team was incredibly valuable, and I was continually amazed by the other scholarship recipients.“
The learning journey reached its culmination with a final presentation with a diverse group of Daimler Truck’s management representatives. We wholeheartedly congratulate everyone involved on this remarkable achievement!
A network thrives on a diverse exchange, different encounters and learning from and with each other. Following this approach, we established a mentoring programme for our Femteccies and our partner company, Proctor & Gamble. We pricked up our ears and learned from Peter’s (P&G, Peter is Director FemCare Packaging Europe & AMA, Technical Recruiting Leader Europe) and Sophie’s (Femtec Alumnae, Class 41) valuable experiences.
Why did Proctor & Gamble participate in the mentoring program with Femtec?
Peter: Proctor & Gamble participated in the mentoring program with Femtec to support the developing and promotion of female talent in STEM fields. P&G recognizes that equality and inclusion in the workplace are essential for innovation and success and thus help and support female students to be prepared for leadership positions in the future.
Sophie: As a Femteccie, I participated in the program to build a strong and trusting mentorship relationship with an experienced industry expert. It was further important to me to receive a sneak peek into Proctor and Gamble, one of the world’s longest-standing multinational companies that cherish its traditions while being at the forefront of innovation and progressive organization models supporting leadership development.
How was the overall experience of the mentoring program, and what was its setup?
Peter: The overall experience of the mentoring program was extremely positive, and it created an even strong partnership between Proctor & Gamble and Femtec on an organizational level and great mentoring experiences on a personal one.
Sophie: Peter’s and my mentor/mentee’s experiences have been overwhelmingly positive, ranging from professional and personal advice to academic discussions to barbeque evenings at his house with my partner and me. Moreover, Peter encouraged me to apply for P&G’s future female leaders‘ event at their German headquarters. It was an inspiring two-day event with workshops, laboratory visits and networking events, and it provided me with insights into the industry that I did not have before.
What were the most important learnings you took away, or what did you find anything interesting/surprising?
Sophie: One of the most important learnings from the mentoring program was the value of (female) mentorship in STEM fields. Coming from a family without any industrial or corporate background, discussing difficult situations with Peter either in preparation for them or in retrospective reflection was really helpful. Peter probably saved me from putting a huge foot in my mouth a couple of times – thanks, Peter!
Peter: For me, it was incredibly rewarding to get perspective from the young generation of excellent and bright individuals and understand their way of thinking and what is important. These learnings have helped me to adjust my own priorities and to become a better coach for young people.
What do you like about this program? (*)
We both appreciate that the mentoring program provides female STEM students access to mentors who can offer valuable insights and advice. It is crucial that this exchange happens in the private and „safe space“ environment of a trusted mentoring relationship that has been officially signed up and matched by experts of both parties, Femtec as well as P&G. The program also provides opportunities for professional development and networking, which is essential for building a successful career in STEM. Finally, the partnership between Proctor & Gamble and Femtec demonstrates a commitment to promoting Equality and Inclusion in the workplace, an essential component of today’s business world. Showing this is a valid expectation will help make our world a better place.
Berlin, October 01, 2022 – FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg is the second renowned university to join the Femtec network within a year, after TU Braunschweig. Alongside TU Munich, it is thus the second Bavarian university and will enrich the long-standing network with female STEM talent. FAU is the tenth partner university in the cooperation network.
FAU – Innovation with a long tradition With around 38,500 students at more than 300 chairs, the university offers students a comprehensive range of attractive education. Two institutions established as part of the nationwide Excellence Initiative, as well as numerous top positions in international rankings, attest to the quality of FAU’s education. By joining the Femtec network, female students in STEM subjects in particular will now have another opportunity to network and prepare for their own careers with even greater awareness. „I am very pleased that FAU is part of the Femtec network as of today. This offers our female STEM students a wide range of innovative opportunities for career and personal development in collaboration with exciting partners from the higher education landscape and the business world. Femtec is a great enrichment for the participating female students as well as the network partners and I am looking forward to the collaboration with great anticipation,“ says Prof. Dr. Andreas Hirsch, Vice President People at FAU.
Femtec as an interdisciplinary network The Femtec network sees itself in particular as a source of impetus for business, science and society for more equal opportunities, diversity and sustainability. Female talents have already been networking across faculties and universities for 21 years. This interdisciplinary format in particular is a strength that comes to bear in the numerous formats of the career-building program and promotes innovation. This makes Femtec all the more pleased that the university has joined. Marion Zeßner, Managing Director: „The Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg has long been a preferred candidate among the partner universities in the Femtec Network – I am very much looking forward to working with Germany’s most innovative university. The Career-Building Programme will expose female STEM students at FAU to numerous other exciting career and networking opportunities.“
Berlin, 21.06.2022: This year’s Femtec Award will be presented for the fifth time. Once again, initiatives, personalities and ideas that are role models, can motivate others or make a sustainable contribution to our society will be honored. The nomination phase runs until July 15, 2022 – in August, the public voting will take place in the final.
Especially in exciting, complex and unmanageable times, lighthouses are important – to show positive perspectives and to provide a stage for best-practice approaches. Therefore, the Femtec Network invites especially in 2022 to send in proposals and nominations in the three categories:
Leadership category
For the category „Leadership“, role models are sought who inspire their own team with authentic leadership and give people individual freedom for their own further development.
Category Social Impact
In the „Social Impact“ category, we are looking for people or initiatives that provide impetus for diversity in society through their own commitment – often in addition to their professional or student obligations. Our focus is on plans, ideas or projects that bring about sustainable social change.
Category Innovation
Creative visionaries and future managers who have the necessary courage to initiate change and set new impulses are honored in the third category „Innovation“. Characterized by their own initiative and entrepreneurial action, the pioneers focus in particular on a sustainable perspective in their innovative products or services.
The procedure
Nominations can be submitted until 07/15/22. All you need to do is send a proposal to Award@Femtec.org with a short, informal explanation of the reasons for the nomination in the respective category, including a photo or logo. Afterwards our award jury will review all nominations and create a short list. These will go as finalists in August in the public voting, which is realized since 2021. The award will be presented at the summer festival on 09 September 2022.
About Femtec:
Femtec GmbH was founded in 2001 with the aim of better connecting female STEM talents in business and science and supporting them in their personal career development. The network qualifies with offers already in school and enables determined female students with the Career-Building Scholarship excellent career perspectives. Diversity program development for organizations and career counseling for professionals are further building blocks for strengthening diverse organizations. Committed women, well-known technology companies as well as leading scientific institutions, technical universities and colleges together form the Femtec Network.
Today Evonik, the specialty chemicals company founded in 2007, and Femtec – career catalyst and talent pool for female STEM students – announced a new strategic partnership to promote women’s careers in business and science.
World leading supplier of specialty chemicals Evonik manufactures neither tires nor mattresses, nor medications or animal feeds. And yet Evonik is part of all of those products – and many more. While they often contribute only small amounts of material, those contributions are precisely what makes the difference. Evonik makes tires more fuel-efficient, mattresses more elastic, medications more effective, and animal feeds healthier. That’s what specialty chemicals are all about. And when it comes to specialty chemicals, Evonik is among the best in the world. „As master builders of the future, we are working to improve life. By thinking beyond chemistry. Today and tomorrow,“ Evonik explains.
Partner network for diversity in business and science Evonik believes that diversity is a mainstay of long-term business success. The new collaboration with Femtec is intended to underline this approach: „The partnership with Femtec is embedded in our employer promise ,Exploring Opportunities. Growing Together‘,“ says Thomas Schiener, Head of HR Talent Management Evonik Industries AG. „We promote the training and development of top female junior staff in the STEM sector. This way, we want to improve our visibility with this important target group in order to increase the share of qualified female and diverse talents in our company in the long term. Experience shows that diverse teams work together better and more effectively.”
This fits in
with the mission of Femtec GmbH, which for almost 20 years has been committed
to supporting, networking and promoting the professional development of female
STEM trainees.
„The time has come for more talented women
whose hearts beat for mathematics, computer science, science, and technology to
also get the deserved access to attractive positions in large companies. There
is still a lot of room for improvement here in Germany – and the potential for
employers to recruit promising young talent is immense,“ says Marion
Zeßner, Managing Director of Femtec GmbH. „We are all the more pleased
that Evonik has recognised this potential and is now part of our partner
network. Our common goal is to improve the career opportunities of women in a
traditionally male-dominated industry.“
About Evonik: Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €13.1 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.15 billion in 2019. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. More than 32,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life, day by day.
About Femtec: Femtec GmbH was founded in 2001 at the TU Berlin with the aim of better networking female MINT talents in business and science and supporting them in their personal career development. Partners are twelve international technology companies – ABB AG, Boston Consulting Group, Robert Bosch GmbH, BP Europa SE, Celonis SE, Daimler AG, EnBW AG, Evonik Industries AG, Porsche AG, Procter & Gamble, Deutsche Telekom AG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG – as well as the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, leading technical universities in the TU9 network and ETH Zurich.
The new big player in enterprise software Celonis – founded in 2011 by three students of the Technical University of Munich, and Femtec – career catalyser and talent pool for female STEM students, together announce a new strategic partnership.
Especially in the software sector, the IT market is growing consistently at an annual rate of around 6% (1) and talented new employees are in constant demand in order to keep up with this growth.Last year alone, for example, German SMEs created about 20,000 new jobs. (2)
Companies in this male-dominated field can no longer afford to ignore half of the talent market. With this in mind, Celonis, the market leader in AI-enhanced Process Mining and Process Excellence software, therefore sought out this new partnership with the Femtec career network. Celonis’ AI-supported process mining technology, which won the German President’s Award in 2019, creates frictionless experiences and superfluid operations for global enterprises.
The company, with headquarters in Munich and New York, currently employs approximately 70% male and 30% female employees. With this new partnership Celonis wants to focus on promoting female STEM talents as early as possible and inspire them to join the world of digital process optimisation. „At present, female talents are still seriously underrepresented in the IT sector: on average, only 17% of all professionals (3) are female. We are proud that at Celonis we are above this average with almost 30%. Yet with our partnership we are pursuing two goals all at once – to inspire even more women for the software industry in the future and ideally to motivate them to join Celonis! We are very pleased that this step will further develop our internal diversity and strengthen our social commitment“, says Fabian Veit, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs at Celonis.
„Our declared goal is to support highly qualified female graduates with a strong passion for IT and innovation to enter new business fields and to actively participate in Celonis‘ corporate and product development in the future“, Veit continues.
This goes perfectly with Femtec’s mission, who is pationate about increaing the number of highly qualified women in influential positions in business, science and industry, and connect them with each other. „Statistically, only every seventh application (4) is from a female student within the IT sector. Especially in an industry that is as focused on growth as IT, we not only want to accompany change, but to actively drive it forward. With our career-building and leadership programmes, we prepare highly motivated, STEM-enthusiastic women for these positions. Therefore, we are especially pleased that Celonis has decided to cooperate with us“, says Marion Zeßner, Managing Director at Femtec. „We are convinced that the agility and innovative power of this young and successful software company will provide our network with inspiring ideas and at the same time offer our scholarship holders exciting career opportunities“.
About Celonis: Celonis, the leading provider of Process Mining and Process Excellence software, transforms data into insights and actions. The Intelligent Business Cloud enables companies to quickly understand and improve the operational backbone of their business. Companies around the world, including Siemens, 3M, Airbus, and Vodafone, rely on Celonis to take action and drive change in business processes, resulting in millions of dollars in savings and an improved experience for their customers. The company is based in Munich and New York.
About Femtec: Femtec GmbH was founded in 2001 at the TU Berlin with the aim of better networking female STEM talents in business and science and supporting them in their personal career development. Femtec partners with twelve international technology companies – ABB AG, Boston Consulting Group, Celonis SE, Robert Bosch GmbH, BP Europa SE, Daimler AG, EnBW AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Porsche AG, Procter & Gamble, Deutsche Telekom AG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG – as well as leading technical universities of the TU9 network and ETH Zurich.
This year’s Femtec Awards were presented on 13 September 2019 as part of the Femtec Summer Festival in the Glass House of the Arena Berlin. Every year, special leadership qualities, innovative ability and social commitment are honoured at the event. This year’s winners are Claudia Kessler, CE_O at HE Space, in the Leadership category; Nina Langen, junior professor at the Institute for Vocational Education at the TU Berlin in the Innovation category; and Jasmin Justen, student of physics at the TU Berlin and scholarship holder of the Femtec Career-Building Program for female students in STEM courses, in the Social Impact category.
For the Leadership category, the Femtec Award jury is looking for top performers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills or a special role model function in promoting women. An Innovation Award requires women who have the creativity and courage to make a difference. And for the Social Impact category, women who have shown social commitment in their activities or have been able to bring about social change will be awarded prizes.
In the Leadership category, Claudia Kessler impressed with her commitment to equality, diversity and interdisciplinarity in technological professions. As a manager in the aerospace industry, she promotes the career of female specialists and managers in the „Women in Aerospace Europe“ network, which she founded in 2009. She is also a member of the Senate of the German Aerospace Society and the International Aeronautical Academy. Claudia Kessler’s main occupation is CEO at HE Space, a space personnel service provider. The proportion of women in the 200-strong team is 55 percent – for which she has received numerous awards, including the „Diversity Personality of the Year 2016“ and the „Charter of Diversity“. One reason or the award states : „With regard to gender equality, she was the only female student of aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich at the time to create the initiative ‚The Astronaut‘, thus ensuring the female future of German astronautics, which had previously only been manned. With her initiative, she wants to arouse and continuously promote interest in technological professions and STEM subjects.“
In the Innovation category, Nina Langen was able to assert herself. She works as a junior professor and is one of the few women at the Institute for Vocational Education and Training at the TU Berlin. The jury was impressed that she created an excellent basis in a very short time to anchor practical, entrepreneurial activities in teacher training. In addition, the jury emphasizes the creativity of Nina Langen in the orientation of her research, her courage in defining topics, and the considerable third-party funding she raises. The jurors are in agreement: „Nina Langen is a respected role model as an innovative, entrepreneurial junior professor for young scientists.“
The award in the Social Impact category went to the TU Berlin student and Femtec scholarship holder Jasmin Justen. In the reasoning, her great commitment as a tutor in the LABgirls of the TU and in the Femtec community as well as her outstanding achievements in her master’s degree are highlighted.
The jury of the Femtec Award 2019 consisted of the members of the Supervisory Board Dr. Helga Lukoschat from the EAF (Deputy Chairwoman) and Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel from the TU Berlin, the Chairwoman of the Femtec Advisory Board Elke Lücke from Porsche AG and her Deputy Chairwoman Dr. Doris Klee from RWTH Aachen University, the entire board of Femtec Alumnae, the former Femtec scholarship holder Prof. Dr. Maren Martens from HAW Landhut and four Femtec course speakers.
The winners of this year´s Femtec Award 2019 were awarded in the categories of Leadership, Innovation and Social Impact
Berlin, 19 August 2019 – Femtec GmbH, the international career network for women in the STEM sector, is delighted to welcome Procter & Gamble, another highly renowned company to its partner network. With this new partnership, the globally active consumer goods manufacturer intends to further expand the promotion of women in engineering and natural sciences and promote female talent during their studies.
For 18 years now, Femtec GmbH’s Career-Building Program has been offering 50 selected female students training courses every semester to shape and promote their individual career paths. Through workshops, project work, coaching and company visits, the scholarship holders can gain deep insights into top companies. In addition, they can make valuable contacts for their career.
„We need diversity. But there are still barriers that prevent women from studying a technical or scientific subject or making a career in STEM occupations. We want to break down these barriers. Together with Femtec, we support ambitious female students of technology and natural sciences during their training and thus contribute to sustainably improving their entry and career opportunities,“ says Matthias Weber, Managing Director Production and Logistics at Procter & Gamble. Oliver Weismantel, IT Manager at P&G, adds: „At the same time, we are looking forward to getting to know many highly qualified graduates through this cooperation.“
„For 18 years, we have been supporting and networking young female employees in STEM subjects,“ says Marion Zeßner, Managing Director of Femtec GmbH. „We are delighted to welcome Procter & Gamble, another global player to our partner network, who is working with us to improve career opportunities for women in mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology.“
Procter & Gamble is a new partner of the Femtec Network
Berlin, August 6, 2019 – Exactly ten years ago, Femtec GmbH launched the „Talent Take Off“ study orientation program on behalf of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Now, the organisation for application-oriented research in Europe, founded in 1949, has awarded the contract to the Berlin career network Femtec for two more joint years. The program successfully supports young people in starting their careers in the STEM field. A total of more than 1,100 pupils and students have already taken part in the Talent Take Off, 50 percent of whom are women interested in STEM. Many of them remain loyal to the program for years as supporters of the younger ones or workshop leaders – a clear sign of the popularity of the program.
„This is great news for us on our tenth anniversary. We are very pleased to be able to carry out another two years of Talent Take Off together with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and would like to thank you for your trust,“ says Marion Zeßner, Managing Director of Femtec GmbH.
The program consists of different modules: The first is called Talent Take Off – Getting Startet and prepares students in the 10th-13th grades for the subject of study orientation in the STEM field. This six-day elective course takes place in Berlin, once during the Easter holidays and once during the autumn holidays. It includes an introductory day at the TU Berlin including lectures, meals in the refectory and technology workshops, as well as a visit to a Fraunhofer Institute and a discussion with role models from the STEM sector. Of course, there will also be plenty of leisure activities in the capital.
The second module, Talent Take Off – Gaining Speed, is held once a year for four days at one of the Fraunhofer-Institutes in Germany and is aimed at first-semester STEM students.
The third module, the alumni event Talent Take Off – Building Networks, also takes place annually in Berlin and is the highlight of the program. This is where the entire Fraunhofer young talents network comes together to experience an exciting four-day program together with all graduates of Fraunhofer young talents events and other interested students. Inspiring lectures and workshops, the chance to chat with Fraunhofer researchers and leisure opportunities for the participants are all on the agenda.
The successful STEM orientation program Talent Take Off from Femtec has been extended thanks to Fraunhofer.
