At the beginning of your career, you completed a commercial apprenticeship. Why did you decide to study social work afterwards?
I trained as a healthcare administrator in a retirement home. This meant that I was already working with social workers here and working with and for people played a central role. I had a wonderful trainer who sent me to the ward in the first few days so that I would later know who the facility was important for in the office. That really shaped me. I like the commercial side of things. I finished my apprenticeship with very good grades. That also boosted my self-confidence for my studies. After my apprenticeship, I worked in various areas of social services and had two children. Most recently, I trained young, disadvantaged people and managed and designed coaching projects. That's when I knew that I wanted more. I was ready for school again. I wanted to know more, learn more, challenge my potential. In my previous career path, there was no longer any question as to what I would study: social work for sure.
Did you receive any financial support for your studies?
I received a scholarship from the Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB).
How would you describe your professional career after completing your studies at ASH Berlin? In which fields of practice did you work?
During my studies, I completed an internship in various institutions for 1-2 weeks every semester break. My previous contacts helped me a lot. I looked into shared youth apartments or worked with school social workers, for example. I then completed my compulsory internship semester during my studies at the youth welfare office. I wanted to find out how the office works, as it was to be expected that I would have a lot to do with offices. Contrary to expectations, I found it great. It was a mixture of social work and my basic commercial profession. So I stayed. I was hired right after my internship semester, while I was still studying. I developed the concept for the area of §35a SGB VIII there and stayed on after my studies. At some point, however, I couldn't go any further. The office didn't want to support a Master's degree, qualified further training was only approved for a few people each year and the working hours were very inflexible. I was a single parent at the time and was no longer able to meet my own demands on myself and the job. So I resigned and then took over the project management of a federal project that dealt with volunteering and migration. After the project, I set up my own business. The first few years were difficult, so I took another part-time job as a social worker in a rehabilitation clinic. However, it was clear from the start that I would continue to reduce my hours and that my independence would take priority. This clarity was very rewarding for everyone and my work there was greatly appreciated. I also gained experience in the field of legal support. I am now completely self-employed in the field of supervision and coaching.
What exactly made you decide to become self-employed in 2017?
I had a lot of freedom in the federal project where I worked. That was good after my job at the youth welfare office, but I quickly realized that I was no longer a good employee. I wanted to continue my education, I didn't want to keep asking for permission. I wanted to realize my ideas. And I had plenty of ideas and even more energy. So I ended the project and set up my own business in 2017 without any financial means, as a single parent, but with a lot of inner conviction, courage and drive. I was well trained, motivated, professional and, thanks to my parents, who were both self-employed artists, I was also prepared for a lot. So I signed up for further training as a supervisor and coach at ASH Berlin and began to go my own way. I didn't have any money, I couldn't actually pay for the training, but I had the firm belief and determination that I could do it. And my children were behind me. My parents too. I just had to dare to show myself to the world. That was very challenging.
Were the experiences and contacts you made or were able to make during your career helpful in this process?
The experiences were definitely helpful. Interestingly, the contacts were less so. Although that's only partly true. I have a huge network. That always helps me when I need tips or recommendations. I have built up a very good reputation through my jobs. I still benefit from this, of course, and it also spurs me on to keep it. All my experience benefits my current customers. My commercial knowledge is worth its weight in gold when I'm self-employed. Of course, being self-employed also means a lot of office and paperwork and always having to deal with figures, data and facts. I learned concept work from scratch, which helps immensely when writing offers and developing and realizing new ideas. My skills and methods as a social worker are the perfect basis for my self-employment.
What services do you offer as a self-employed person? Who are your clients?
I offer supervision & coaching. I now have 12 freelancers. Under the motto "Everything for you and your team", we offer team supervision, leadership coaching, team days, team events, moderation, mediation, training and concept development. I personally only rarely take on team supervision, but I have wonderful, professional and committed freelancers. I have focused on leadership coaching. I love this field. For this reason, I have also trained in systemic constellation work, as a hypnosis coach, in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and much more. We specialize in the social and health sector. However, our range of team days and team events is also sometimes booked by the business sector. I love my work. It's wonderful to see how people develop, how they start to shine and how small things can have a wonderful big impact.
Why did you decide to take up a Master's degree at the FH Potsdam again, despite your stable professional success? What are you studying?
I wanted to do my Master's after my Bachelor's degree. Unfortunately, I didn't have the financial means, time and above all the support from my employer at the time. When I started my own business, I first completed my degree as a supervisor and coach at ASH Berlin. That cost a lot of money, which I had to earn first. Fortunately, ASH Berlin was very flexible when it came to repayments. After that, I had to build up my business and I treated myself to various further training courses. Social management was always at the top of my list of things to study. I had already had very good experiences in a further education course at the FH Potsdam. That's why I'm studying for a Master's in Social Management there while working. I am fulfilling a dream. Professionally, the Master's is also a plus point, because degrees play a role in the demand for management coaching. They are good for your image.
What advice would you give our students for a successful career?
I would advise students to complete as many internships as possible, including voluntary ones. There are so many areas that are super exciting. An internship is the ideal opportunity to look inside and sometimes you fall in love with areas that you would have previously ruled out. I would also always recommend a change of perspective.
Students should be open to numbers and the commercial aspects of social work. I also think it's important to do further training. There are so many great approaches, methods and ways of thinking. This world is so colorful and beautiful. Social work tempts us to think in terms of deficits. This deficit orientation should be critically questioned. In any case, I would advise you to take your studies seriously, take everything on board, get involved and be prepared to rethink your own views. Don't be afraid: be brave! This world is waiting for you.
The questions were asked by Kerstin Miersch.
