CoRE Interview Jana Schulte-Loh

How did you become aware of the program?

After successfully completing my bachelor's thesis at the Chair of Fluid Machinery, Prof. Brillert informed me that the CoRE collaboration is looking for two master's students starting from the winter semester 2021/2022.

Why did you choose this program?

I completed my bachelor's degree through a dual study program at Siemens AG, now Siemens Energy, at the location in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The opportunity to combine theory and practice in the field of fluid machinery appealed to me so much that I wanted to continue this in my master's. Additionally, the chance to undergo practical training in a specially designed training center in Duisburg alongside university studies is unique. Lastly, the prospect of employment after successfully completing the program was appealing.

How is the program structured?

What do you learn? In essence, there are four blocks of four weeks each for training at the training center in Duisburg, one block per semester. The specific distribution can be individually arranged based on exam schedules, etc. The four blocks focus on different areas. For me, these were mechanical compressor and turbine training, commissioning of industrial steam turbines, and turbine control technology. The goal is to prepare students for assignments in the target departments, where they also write their master's thesis.

What do you like the most?

Describe your best/most interesting experience. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work on the machines in the training center. It's a completely different feeling than just observing machines during a factory tour or calculating machine designs in the office. Additionally, I had the chance to interact with training participants from around the world and make connections. Finally, I was already allowed to work on construction sites during the processing of my master's thesis.

What role does the university play in the training program, and what could be improved?

The university is responsible for the academic education. Like any other student, I took mandatory and elective courses to earn the required credits for the master's degree. Finally, in collaboration with a specific department (in my case, Field Service), I wrote my master's thesis at the Chair of Fluid Machinery. Here, additional guidance from a research assistant primarily supported the scientific part of the thesis. I would appreciate it if visits to the training center could be integrated into lectures for all students. Having the opportunity to see real machines, not just photos, helps in better understanding theoretical content.

How does Siemens Energy support your education?

Siemens Energy provided financial support and, through training, offered the opportunity to directly apply theoretical knowledge from university in practice. Additionally, I was able to network effectively across various locations during my studies.

What experience had the most significant learning effect on you?

The wide range of applications for industrial turbines. Due to their custom design, most machines are unique, resulting in highly complex systems that require knowledge in various fields such as thermodynamics, rotor dynamics, energy technology, and control technology.