Magdalena is one of our alumni and graduated 2021 with the M.Sc. European Urban Studies. Find out more about her interests, experiences and challenges after graduation below.
Master’s degree at BUW: M.Sc. European Urban Studies
Graduation year: 2021
Master’s thesis topic: Biophilic urbanism as a perspective to improve human-nature relationship in the city. Developing nature stewardship in Lisbon
What are you doing at the moment?
I am currently working in a non-profit consultancy for stakeholder engagement in projects related to environmental regeneration and sustainability. As a junior consultant, I am involved with two EU projects. My tasks include research – literature reviews and qualitative fieldwork; event management - workshop organization and report writing; and designing local community engagement processes for our partners.
How was your transition from being a student to your current position?
The transition was not easy, as my German language skills are not advanced. Even though it took me some months to find this position, it was a valuable lesson of resilience, confidence, and persistence. :-)
What have you learned during your studies that benefit you now in your working life the most?
In EUS, I had an opportunity to work both on my research skills, as a part of the program, and organizational skills. For example, in EUS I learned how to make a proper research design, how to use Citavi (literature review software), and how to organize an online event – all of which I actively use in my everyday work.
Do you have any further tips and remarks for current (international) students joining the job market in Germany?
I would say – work on your German, even If you are looking to join international organizations (and even in Berlin).
What was the project you were most passionate about in the past years?
Back in Croatia, I had a little NGO of my own – Association of Visual Anthropologists – where we organized a conference about sustainable urban development. That is where my enthusiasm for green and just cities grew so much that I decided to come to Weimar!
Can you tell anything about the most influential parts of your study experience at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (e.g. interests, courses, GRP, extracurricular activities)?
For me, it was definitely the Guided research project. It includes many stages – research design, literature review, fieldwork, presentation of results – over one year. It gave me an opportunity to gain deep knowledge on a topic I am passionate about – nature-based solutions, and it taught me to be adaptable to circumstances, which proved to be a precious.
Which advice would you give your younger student-self if you could?
If I could go back in time, I would definitely take more opportunities to participate in Research School activities, such as workshops and career coaching. The ones I did take were lovely experiences and very useful when transitioning to the practitioner role.
In what ways are you still connected to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and your course peers?
Apart from being in touch with some colleagues, I have Elodie to thank for providing reference during my employment process! Moreover, the topics I had an opportunity to explore during my studies in Weimar are still very much part of my everyday work. For example, I recently presented the research conducted for during the EUS studies in a conference "In Search of Well-Being in Liminality: No Longer-Not Yet", so I feel like a proper EUS alumni. :-)