‘Many things are easier in the professional world with a degree’

A mechanical engineering degree programme can be theoretical, reports Master's student Simion Kemmer about his university experience. Working as a student assistant could therefore also help him to acquire practical skills. He himself completed an apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic before starting his studies. He would not want to miss out on the experience he gained for several reasons.

Simion Kemmer is currently studying for a master's degree in product development in mechanical engineering - specialising in rolling bearings and gearboxes: ‘Later on in my career, for example, a customer requests a gearbox. As a mechanical engineer, you then start to work out a solution on a blank piece of paper. That's incredibly exciting.’ The 26-year-old is already familiar with the ways and processes of the working world: ‘Before I started my studies, I completed an apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic.’ Looking back, he believes this was the right decision: ‘An apprenticeship gives you practical insights into working life at a very early stage.’ You acquire a certain work discipline and learn to organise yourself. ‘I can therefore only recommend an apprenticeship before studying.’

‘I can only recommend apprenticeships before studying’

Personally, he wanted to deepen the knowledge he had acquired in this way and add a degree programme: ‘A fellow trainee was interested in studying at RPTU at the time. That also appealed to me. I had a general higher education entrance qualification and wanted to expand my knowledge in the direction of physics or mechanical engineering.’ He moved into a shared flat in Kaiserslautern with his former fellow trainee and started the Bachelor's degree course in TechnoPhysics in the 2019/20 winter semester - a subject with its finger on the pulse of the times, so to speak: ‘In my Bachelor's thesis, I dealt with artificial intelligence and optimisation algorithms.’ It was about the planning of factory processes: ‘I improved an algorithm that is supposed to improve processes there with another optimisation algorithm.’

‘With a degree, you can usually decide on your own work later on’

What is the most challenging thing about his current degree programme? ‘Studying mechanical engineering is a lot of work. Of course, you shouldn't underestimate that. I would say that you need at least two weeks to properly prepare for an exam.’ It's different to when he was at school, he recalls. But with a relevant degree in his pocket, many things will be easier in the world of work later on, as he also knows from his existing professional experience: ‘With a degree, you can usually decide what you want to do later on. And you don't usually have to work shifts either.’ Important points of motivation for him.

Gaining practical experience as a student assistant

However, Simion Kemmer adds that you should also know that studying mechanical engineering can be very theoretical. He therefore recommends that everyone should take on a student assistant position alongside their studies. Simion Kemmer has been working at the Chair of Machine Elements, Transmissions and Tribology for a few hours a week for around two years: ‘I support the research assistants in their research.’ He works on lathes and milling machines. ‘My main job is to supervise experiments.’

What else does he recommend to future first-year students? ‘Definitely attend the preliminary courses. They are a real help. The knowledge from the maths pre-course really got me through the first semester.’ He also recommends forming study groups, i.e. working together with others. And: ‘Persevere, don't give up.’ There are always moments when you would like to give up on your studies. ‘But then you have to keep going.’

Good English skills - also important for your future career

You should also acquire a good command of English. ‘It's not necessarily relevant for the degree programme.’ But later, perhaps for the Master's thesis - in the world of science, so to speak - nothing works without appropriate language skills: ‘The specialist literature is usually completely in English.’

Simion Kemmer does not yet know exactly where his professional journey will take him and what he would like to do after his studies. Even though his work as a student assistant has certainly awakened his interest in science: ‘Maybe I'll do a doctorate after my Master's degree. Then you work as a research assistant at one of the university chairs for several years. That would interest me.’ Later on, he says, he would be open to any job in Europe. Either way, with his sound knowledge of practice and theory, many doors will be open to him.