"It's simply fun"
Justus is doing an internship at HSZG and shares his experiences from his time at the university.
At Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, students can not only pursue a degree and complete a vocational training program but also do an internship. Justus (15) from Zittau is in ninth grade at the Schkola in Ebersbach and is now doing his second internship at the university. He talks about his time at HSZG and shares his impressions of the university.
How long have you been an intern at the university?
I was at the university from September through October. Now I’m here every Monday until February 2023.
Why is your internship so long?
I go to an independent school that has a different educational approach. It’s a bit more independent there. We have several internships. In eighth grade, we had a two-week internship. I was already at the university then. In tenth grade, there will be another internship period.
Which departments did you work in during your internship in eighth grade?
I was mainly in the LaNDER³ hall. We processed natural fibers, conducted various experiments with them, and also focused on recycling.
How do you like your current internship in public relations and at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering so far?
So far, it’s been really good. I haven’t really experienced anything that I’d say I didn’t enjoy or that didn’t teach me something new. The tasks were very varied. In public relations, for example, I packed letters or listed and photographed trade show items. I also visited the Fraunhofer IWU and thought the big machines were amazing. In the Mechanical Engineering department, I worked in a variety of different areas. I also worked with Wolfgang Meinck, where I used a 3D camera to measure seats. Someone explained to me how milling machines work. Together with Matthias Herrmann, we tested ropes using testing machines. And finally, I also spent some time in the LaNDER³ hall.
Are you interested in machines?
Yes, very much so—that’s my field. I’d also like to work in that area later on, and I can see myself going to college rather than doing an apprenticeship.
What do you like most about the internship?
I like that I’m here for a long time. That way, I can do and see more. I start at 9:00 a.m., work until 4:00 p.m., and have a one-hour lunch break.
What made you decide to do an internship at the university?
I wanted to check out the university and get a feel for whether I’d like to study Mechanical Engineering here later on. It’s very diverse, and I can only recommend it to anyone interested in the fields offered here.
Did you like public relations or Mechanical Engineering better?
I think I’m more of a Mechanical Engineering person.
What do you think of the people you’ve met so far?
I got the feeling from everyone that they were happy I was there and interested in what they do. Everyone was super nice, and there wasn’t a single person who made a bad impression on me.
What else is important to know if you’re thinking about doing an internship at the university?
If you’re doing an internship in Mechanical Engineering, you’ll be involved in a lot of things. You shouldn’t expect to just watch—you’ll also get to pitch in.
Were there any tasks you didn’t enjoy?
No, so far everything has actually been great. But I’m also the kind of person who does tasks I don’t enjoy just to help others, or because it’s simply my job. But nothing like that has happened. Of course, there were some tasks that were less interesting, but that’s not a big deal.
Did you have any specific ideas or expectations about your time at the university?
My expectation was simply to get to know the field so I could decide if it was right for me and if I’d like to study it later. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s good.
In a nutshell: How would you describe the internship?
It’s interesting, varied, and never boring. The staff members I worked with showed great interest in me and also enjoyed working with me. It’s just fun.
Would you recommend this internship?
Absolutely. While I can only speak for the departments I worked in, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Mechanical Engineering or public relations.
The interview was conducted by Julia Lachmann.
If you are a student in 9th grade or higher, you can submit an application to the following faculties and departments for your mandatory high school internship at the university:
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science'
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management
In addition, interested students can also complete additional internships during school breaks. Throughout the entire internship period, you’ll be based in the university’s labs and workrooms, where you’ll be given exciting and hands-on tasks under professional supervision.
Here you’ll find all the important information about the application process
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