How Students Can Build Careers with Hands-On Learning and Networking
Hands-on learning is more than just a way to enhance your skills; it’s a powerful tool that opens doors to networking, career opportunities and personal growth. In today’s fast-paced world, where theoretical knowledge alone isn’t enough, practical experiences are crucial in shaping a successful future.
In this episode of our podcast, Dora Smith interviews two inspiring students, Buket Kurtulus and Ayman Suhrawardy, to explore the transformative power of experiential learning and its profound impact on their academic and professional journeys.
Meet the Guests: Buket Kurtulus and Ayman Suhrawardy
Buket is a master’s student studying computer science at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany. Her passion for mathematics led her to choose computer science over other disciplines like electrical engineering. Apart from her studies, working with Siemens Digital Industries Software has been a valuable part of her education.
Ayman, on the other hand, is a biomedical engineer at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Ayman chose this field due to his desire to contribute to the community of medicine without necessarily having to become a physician. He aims to innovate in the medical field by helping create better medical devices.
The importance of practical experiences
Both Buket and Ayman emphasize the importance of practical experience in their education. For Buket, a mandatory six-month internship during her bachelor’s degree was crucial in bridging the gap between theory and practice. She believes that experiencing different work environments—from the agility of a startup to the structured processes of a large corporation like Siemens—has significantly shaped her understanding of the tech industry.
Ayman echoed this sentiment by highlighting a unique biomedical engineering design lab class at Wayne State University. As a part of this class, Ayman worked with a group that helped build a prosthetic leg for an above knee amputee patient that wanted to play soccer. He noted that this experience was a great opportunity for him to bring all the theoretical knowledge that he learned in class and use it in a real-world project.
Insights from the Siemens Student Ambassador Program
The Siemens Student Ambassador Program has played a pivotal role in both students’ development. Through his involvement in the program, Ayman has expanded his global network and has connected with peers and professionals across different cultures and industries. This exposure has broadened his horizons, giving him a deeper understanding of how to communicate and collaborate in diverse settings. Attending events like the entrepreneurship hangout has sparked his interest in eventually creating his own med-tech startup. Within the ambassador program, Buket has earned the mentor badge and values the confidence and language skills she has gained through regular hangouts and interactions with fellow ambassadors worldwide. Both stressed the importance of engaging with mentors and building a strong network as these aspects are crucial for career development and finding new opportunities.
Advice for new students
Reflecting on their journeys, both Buket and Ayman offered valuable advice for new students. Ayman highlights the importance of being consistent, outgoing and persistent in building and maintaining connections. He encourages students to attend events, be open-minded and continuously seek out opportunities to grow. Buket recommends students stay curious and passionate, emphasizing that the key to mastering complex subjects lies in building a strong foundation and being patient until everything clicks into place.
Balancing school, internships and personal life is no easy feat, but both students have found strategies that work for them. Buket organizes her week by dedicating specific days to her internship and others to her studies, helping her manage stress and maintain focus. Ayman, who is equally busy, underlined the importance of time management and setting priorities to ensure that he can excel both academically and professionally while still making time for personal interests.
Tune in to hear more from Buket and Ayman about their experiences in STEM!
Connect with Buket Kurtulus
Connect with Ayman Suhrawardy
Innovation in the Classroom Podcast
Innovation in the Classroom by Siemens explores best practices to empower the next generation of digital talent. In this podcast series, Dora Smith takes you through discussions with leading voices from the world of engineering education who are preparing future engineers in Academia 4.0 to shape the world of innovation.
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