What was the decisive factor in your decision to study?

I was already thinking about studying while I was still at school. I gave private tuition from the age of 14 and realized how much I enjoyed teaching. At the same time, studying was not a natural path in my family. Neither of my parents studied and neither of them were born in Germany. I was the first in the family to graduate from high school, so a lot of things about studying, financing and everyday life at university were new to us and associated with uncertainty. During my voluntary social year at Theater Dortmund, I had a contact person who advised and encouraged me. This support was very important for my decision.

How did you get advice from talent scouting?

I came across the Talent Scouting stand at TU Dortmund University's open day. They explained to me how BAföG works and that you only have to pay back part of it, for example. That reassured me at first, but I still had doubts as to whether I would be able to study at all. Shortly afterwards, I had a consultation with Nadja. The way she spoke to me - openly, respectfully and at eye level - made a big impression on me. Together, we sorted out my thoughts and considered what was really important to me. I actually already knew the answer, but I needed someone to help me organize my thoughts clearly. The conversation gave me a lot of confidence and encouraged me to trust myself more. This encouragement was crucial for me and had a significant influence on my path into university - and later into talent scouting.

How were you ultimately able to finance your studies?

I did a lot of research into various financing options, including scholarships. In the end, I deliberately opted for BAföG because it was the most suitable and uncomplicated way for me. Although the first application was time-consuming, it was easy to do with the support of the BAföG office. I asked them specifically if anything was unclear. Over time, the process became much easier. It was important for me to know: Help is out there - you just have to take advantage of it.

How did it come about that you reoriented yourself towards talent scouting after graduating?

During my studies, I increasingly reflected on my role as a teacher. From tutoring, I was particularly familiar with one-to-one work and realized that I particularly enjoyed this individual support. As part of an orientation internship in talent scouting at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, I was able to sit in on counseling sessions and quickly realized how much I liked the work. The discussions were appreciative, motivating and strongly focused on individual potential. After the internship, I realized that I could develop better in talent scouting than in the traditional teaching profession.

What do you like best about your work as a talent scout?

What I like most is working with young people who are really motivated and want to make a difference themselves. Seeing that our conversations have a positive impact - whether it's them trying something new or bravely taking the next step - makes the work very fulfilling. You also constantly learn new things: every young person brings different questions and challenges with them, from unusual courses of study to individual paths into university. It is often enough to simply listen and create a space in which the young people can organize their thoughts.

Do you have any tips for young people who want to be the first in their family to go to university?

My most important tip is that you don't have to know exactly what you want to do when you grow up. It's completely normal to discover new paths during your studies or career. Just trying things out and gaining experience is valuable because it helps you find out what you really like. It is important to choose something that interests you and not just be guided by career prospects or forecasts. At the same time, you shouldn't underestimate the uncertainties of today's world: Financing, fears about the future or parental expectations can be a burden. My advice is to take your time, try things out and don't put yourself under pressure. Even if you take a different path after a few years, that's perfectly fine - it often leads to the best experiences.