Welcome to the team: An interview with Yamel Lima Baquero and Juliane Schleifer. Both have recently joined the MaterialDigital platform team. They are working at the KIT executive office in Karlsruhe. Yamel is an industrial engineer and has studied and worked in Mexico, Canada and Germany. She is particularly interested in the circular economy. Juliane is a business economist and has experience as a controller in a research organisation. Like Yamel, she completed part of her studies in Canada.
Yamel: I have worked in the automotive industry in Mexico and Germany and realized that women are still underrepresented there - both in the working environment and in the end product. A small but significant example: the mirror in the right-hand sun visor was originally installed for female passengers. It is still there and indirectly conveys that women are more likely to sit in the passenger seat.
Juliane: I have also worked in the automotive industry and have encountered prejudices from time to time. Sometimes you are seen as a ‘token woman’. And in a male-dominated environment, you occasionally hear supposedly funny comments about women. But there is often some truth behind such comments - they reflect deeply rooted role models.
Yamel: Balancing family and career remains a challenge. Often, there are not enough childcare options, so parents rely on support from within the family. Those without relatives nearby often face difficult decisions that can even influence whether or not they start a family.
Juliane: Additionally, the persistent prejudice that a job can only be done well in a full-time capacity still exists. We would like to see a shift in this mindset – not only for the sake of family-friendliness but also to support various life plans. Job-sharing and shared leadership are models that already work well and deserve more attention.
Yamel: For example, my part-time position allows me to focus more on the circular economy and pursue other interests. This flexibility is very valuable to me.
Yamel: During my Master's degree in Germany, I really appreciated the international environment. The university brought together people from different countries and disciplines. It's very similar at MaterialDigital and KIT: many different people work together towards one big goal. That immediately appealed to me.
Juliane: I'm inspired by exactly the same thing. I find it exciting to work with people from different disciplines. It broadens your horizons enormously. The diversity of skills and perspectives within the initiative is a true enrichment.
Yamel & Juliane: Travel! Our stays in Canada have left a lasting impression on both of us.
Juliane: I was an au pair in Canada straight after graduating from high school. After that, I quickly completed my Bachelor's degree and started working right away. After a few years of working life, I decided to pursue a Master's degree - a brave move, as I temporarily gave up my financial security to do so. But it paid off completely! My semester abroad in Canada was particularly valuable. The way of studying, the teaching, and campus life were a completely new experience. It broadened my view of other cultures and ways of working enormously.
Yamel: My first semester abroad in Canada was an almost magical experience for me. It awakened my curiosity about the world and showed me how valuable international experience is. I was also able to improve my English and gain new perspectives. In a way, my time in Canada led me to Germany and finally here to MaterialDigital.
