ZELLCHEMING Stories
Student – Rosario Othen
Rosario Othen, student, Chair of Paper Technology and Mechanical Process Engineering, TU Darmstadt
It's been five years since I started my apprenticeship as a paper technologist. In these three years of training, I learned a lot about the practical side of paper production. Now I study Mechanical and Process Engineering (Bachelor's degree) at the TU Darmstadt, subsequently Paper Science and Technology (Master's degree). Through the Academic Paper Engineers Association I became aware of ZELLCHEMING. I became a member instantly, on one hand because the membership is free for students and on the other because I was was told it is an excellent place for networking.
Through ZELLCHEMING, I have already been able to make many contacts in all sectors of the paper industry. For students this is just great, because one will be offered internships, theses, invitations to specialist committees and much more without even having to ask for it. Only very few study programs are connected to the industry that closely. Of course, this also facilitates the start of a professional career after graduation, since contacts were established already, one knows each other.
However, before career entry I would like to think outside the box, of course. It is great to have the opportunity even to attend to international conferences what you normally can not afford as a student. ZELLCHEMING supports its student members wherever and whenever possible so, for example, I received financial support to participate in the International Mechanical Pulping Conference in Oslo in 2018.
For me ZELLCHEMING is more than just the annual EXPO. It is an association that connects and creates opportunities. Read my report on the 31st International Mechanical Pulping Conference in Trondheim, in which I was able to participate thanks to funding by ZELLCHEMING. An English version is available here.
Student - Marius Merz
Marius Merz - Student MSc Course "Paper and Biobased Fibre Science" at TU Darmstadt
I cut my teeth with the material paper during my fifth semester in the bachelor course Mechanical Engineering at the TU Darmstadt. At that time, I took part in the elective course "Introduction to Paper Technology" held by Professor Schabel. The decision to continue my studies in paper fell on two excursions offered by APV Darmstadt and the PMV. The decision to continue my studies in paper was made on occasion of two study trips offered by APV Darmstadt and the PMV (Chair of Paper Technology and Mechanical Process Engineering). During the two field trips, I got to know students of the MSc course "Paper and Biobased Fiber Science" and became a member of APV Darmstadt. From my APV Darmstadt fellow students I learned about the ZELLCHEMING-Expo and that it offers excellent opportunities to establish contacts, hear interesting lectures and experience innovations from exhibitors. In addition, we students from APV Darmstadt had the opportunity to work at the ZELLCHEMING-Expo and thereby supplemented our income.
For the first time I learned more about ZELLCHEMING e.V. at the ZELLCHEMING-Expo and decided to become a member. The main reason for my membership at this time was primarily the free access to the ZELLCHEMING databases. Since I was on the brink of completing my bachelor thesis, it was very useful for my literature research to have access to this accumulated knowledge. In addition, the membership is free for students and also includes access to the ZELLCHEMING members' directory, which can be very useful in later professional life.
After completing my bachelor's degree, I registered for the MSc course "Paper and Biobased Fibre Science" and participated in further ZELLCHEMING-Expos. Year in and year out, I was able to establish more contacts at the "After Fair" events and cultivate existing ones. A presentation by ZELLCHEMING Managing Director Petra Hanke at the PMV delivered deeper insight into the work of the association. The various committees and their fields of work were introduced. Their findings in regard to scientific work were particularely interesting. I also recognized the advantage the mutual exchange of experience in committee work can offer for one's own professional development.
I am about to finish my studies and entry into working life. For me, the ZELLCHEMING association is a platform for maintaining contacts in the paper industry. Especially the annual fair has developed a kind of class reunion character for me since there is a chance to meet many people whom I have met during my studies. I hope to be able to continue my involvement in the association and perhaps even to work in a technical committee and share my wealth of experience with interesting colleagues in the future.
