A successful start to university life thanks to the RPTUzero orientation program

Mechanical engineering student Lucas Eric Weingart was able to gain his first university experiences through the RPTUzero orientation program: In addition to various courses, he also completed a research internship. The insights and contacts he gained there helped him land a job as a student assistant as early as his first semester.

Do I want to go to college? And if so, is a university even the right fit for me? These are questions that weigh on the minds of many high school graduates. Answers can be found through the one-semester RPTUzero orientation program. Here, interested students gain insight into the world of university, learn about subjects and degree programs at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, and can try out their first courses. At the same time, participants can explore the campuses in Kaiserslautern and Landau—and make connections with upperclassmen and faculty members.

Lucas Eric Weingart once received this tip from an acquaintance: that the RPTUzero orientation program is a great way to get a taste of university life in a very straightforward way. However, the 20-year-old emphasizes that the orientation program isn’t just for people who don’t yet know where their path will take them after high school: “Even if you already know what you want to do, there are advantages.” In addition to taking courses, students can also sit for exams: “If you pass them, they count toward your degree. But if you don’t pass, they aren’t counted as a failed attempt.” This is an interesting advantage for anyone who might want to ease into the demanding university workload gradually.

A university degree is research-oriented—and goes into great depth

During his RPTU zero period in the summer semester of 2024, Lucas Eric Weingart primarily took courses in mechanical engineering: “I already knew I wanted to go in that direction.” So it was clear to him that he would then move on to his first “real” semester of study in the winter semester of 2024/25. Why did he choose mechanical engineering as his major? “I’ve always been very interested in technology. In high school, I took Computer Science as an advanced course. And I’d already thought about going into the IT field later on.”

But at some point, he realized that Computer Science didn’t cover everything that fascinated him. “Back then, my school had organized a project week. That’s how I came into contact with mechanical engineering at the University of Kaiserslautern.” He quickly realized that this very broad field was more in line with his interests. “But then I had to decide whether I wanted to study at a university of applied sciences or a traditional university.” To figure this out, he attended lectures at both a university of applied sciences and a traditional university. “Based on this direct comparison, I liked the RPTU’s approach better.” The “greater independence” that only a university program offers appealed to him. “A university program is more research-oriented. The curriculum at a university of applied sciences is more practice-oriented. But I wanted to understand things in depth. And that’s just better at a university.”

Research internship—already during the RPTUzero orientation program

Currently, he’s mainly taking foundational courses—covering topics such as engineering mechanics, mathematics, and programming. That’s normal at the beginning of a degree program. “But we’re also already covering application-oriented topics,” he adds. Materials science and manufacturing technology, for example.

Alongside his studies, Lucas Eric Weingart works as a student assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering—more specifically, at the Chair of Machine Elements, Gearboxes, and Tribology. It’s unusual to start working as a student assistant so early in one’s studies. How did that come about? During his time with RPTUzero, he completed a two-week internship at the chair, he explains. This allowed him to gain “great insights” into the research being conducted there—and to make initial contacts with upperclassmen and the research staff. “It was all very well organized. And I got to see just how professional research is. I think I got the job because of that internship.”

As a student assistant, he’s currently primarily responsible for programming tasks—he supports the researchers as a service provider, so to speak. “Later, once I’ve progressed further in my studies, I’d of course like to take on other tasks as well.” These might include, for example, modifying and evaluating test benches. “Elsewhere, student assistants also help out with courses. Here, the student assistants primarily lend a hand to the research staff.”

Even though it’s still a ways off, where does Lucas Eric Weingart see his career heading in the future? He can definitely imagine working as a team leader or in a management position. “And right after my master’s, maybe a doctoral dissertation. Then I’d work as a research assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for five years.”

“If you have questions or problems, just reach out to other students or the professors”

What advice would he give to prospective students? What should you bring to the table if you decide to study mechanical engineering? “Definitely an interest in technology—and ideally some hands-on experience. It wouldn’t hurt to have already completed an internship in mechanical engineering” —this could be done directly at a department at RPTU. “Then you’ll know what to expect later on.” He also advises prospective students not to be shy about talking to people: “If you have questions or problems, just reach out to other students or the professors.”

Lucas Eric Weingart has settled into university life. Looking back, he also views his start through RPTUzero very positively: “It’s really a great opportunity that I can only recommend to everyone.”