“I'm all about content” Interview with Dr.-Ing. Manuel Neuwirth

Hello Manuel, it's great that things have worked out now.

A lot has certainly happened career-wise since you left PtU. What are you doing at the moment?

Since mid-2018, I have been working for my current employer, GfS Hofheim (Gesellschaft für Sonder-EDV-Anlagen mbH), in the development of laboratory measuring equipment. It really doesn't have much to do with forming technology any more. The design and development are based on conventional manufacturing, as well as injection moulding and die casting. Nevertheless, a lot of content and memories from my studies and work at university are always very helpful.

Did the doctorate help you further?

I decided to do a doctorate and work as a research assistant out of personal interest and drive. I was very satisfied when it was finally completed successfully.

Personally, the experience helped me a lot. I consider it very good preparation and training for everything that may come after that to pursue a goal independently for several years while facing a variety of other tasks and challenges. And indeed, you can gain this experience in a safe environment, because in a critical case you would not be left alone by the good college.

Did it make it easier for you to gain a foothold in the job market?

Not in general. I guess it depends a lot on what job you want to aim for. For some positions, a doctorate or several years of professional experience are prerequisites. For other positions, however, supposedly “cheaper” employees or those who are even more malleable may be sought.

Is a doctorate financially worthwhile?

For me, my job is not primarily about money, but about the content. If I can identify with the job and have interest and fun in it, then THOSE are the important criteria for being satisfied with one's job in the long term. I don't think the doctorate is financially worthwhile. In any case, this should not be the motivation for it.

Already in my internship between school and university I learned that the machine operator in shift work earns more than the engineer who does the production planning. This is just a snapshot. The metalworker or technician may have started training at 15 and already received a salary/wage over many years, while a future engineer is still finishing school and studying. If you're only interested in money, you shouldn't have chosen mechanical engineering; electrical engineering or IT offer far better income opportunities.

How do you look back on your time at PtU? What was the most difficult thing about the doctorate?

I mainly remember the good and fun things. Exchanges, cooperation and undertakings with colleagues. Also, the PtU's large plant park offers everyone who enjoys it the opportunity to work with their hands and create something tangible.

The quantity and complexity of the tasks that have to be mastered in addition to one's own research, as well as conflicting goals, naturally also bring headaches. The great challenge of the doctorate is certainly its completion and the completion of the dissertation. Creativity, self-reflection and the necessary overview are needed to bridge the gap and create a consistent body of work that brings together the individual contents and aspects in an interesting way.

What advice would you give to newcomers to PtU?

In the beginning it can quickly become a lot. It helps to rely on the experiences of your predecessor and other colleagues, and it also doesn't hurt to adopt their approaches and templates in the beginning. With time, you can soon get your own overview and work out your own style. In addition, you automatically gain a lot of experience and resources with which you can quickly and easily do the incidental work and tasks for which you had to invest a lot of diligence, work and time in the beginning.

The basic rule is: persevere! It is your own responsibility to keep your research work and time for preparation in focus. Anyone who wants to do a doctorate has certainly thought about it carefully beforehand. You should not allow yourself to be distracted or sidetracked from your goal. Keep at it and bring it to a focused conclusion towards the end.

Do you feel you have made an important contribution with your research at PtU?

Basic research in a niche is quite specific. For humanity, the contribution was probably hardly noticeable. However, within the research network with many participating disciplines, which was successfully completed over 12 years, I see the contents and results of the project as an important component and enrichment.

Describe your time at PtU in one word!

whatcannotbebentmustbreak!

Manuel, thank you for the interview.

(Interview conducted by E. Henkes)