Iris Fronmüller, Senior Development/Systems Engineer, and Isabelle Herstein, Head of Logistics, share more than just their employer: Both studied at HNU and the Technical University of Ulm (THU), were mentees in the BayernMentoring program themselves, and later served as mentors in the program. They deliberately initiated the networking evening at their former university themselves to provide female students with practical insights and to recruit them as potential future employees.
The Role of Responsibility, Knowledge, and Communication: Insights into Two Career Paths
In conversation with the participants, they explained how they had made their individual career decisions and how technical and management careers differ. While for Isabelle Herstein, a management career is primarily associated with taking on responsibility and leading teams, Iris Fronmüller describes a technical career as an opportunity to build in-depth expertise and make a significant contribution to the company’s success through specialized knowledge.
Structural issues were also addressed: At ZEISS, women currently account for about 12 percent of the technical workforce and roughly 10 to 15 percent of leadership positions. “Women bring valuable perspectives to the table that we cannot afford to overlook—we need more of them in strategically important roles,” emphasized Kai Walter, a Fellow in the technical track.
Another key topic of the evening was the role of communication and feedback in day-to-day work. “Good communication is very important to me—and good results come from good communication,” said Isabelle Herstein. Iris Fronmüller emphasized the importance of open feedback within the team. Both see a team’s ongoing development toward more feedback and better communication as a process that can be strengthened by women in leadership positions.
HNU Alumnae as Role Models
The evening provided valuable insights for the participating students. Being able to meet two successful alumnae in person and see them as role models was particularly inspiring.
Gender Equality Initiatives at HNU
We empower women – We build networks for the future. The primary goal of HNU’s Officer for Gender Equality in Science and the Arts, Prof. Dr. Anna Meinhardt, is to support women at all levels of academia. She places great importance on women’s visibility and participation in all areas. Women should be present wherever ideas are developed, discussed, and decisions are made. The gender equality initiatives at HNU promote personal and professional development and create opportunities for constructive dialogue. Our activities are designed to reach all academic groups, from female students to adjunct instructors, research assistants, and professors. Workshops for high school girls complement our efforts, with a particular focus on laying the groundwork early on for equitable digital participation.
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Magdalena Fremdling
