Hello there, my name is Kirsten and I work as a Junior Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). My main tasks are providing tutorials and practical classes, supervising students’ theses, and assessing their assignments and exams. Besides that, I am also actively involved - mostly with other lecturers - in improving and developing courses and educational material. Since this year, I have also been responsible for organizing my own course. It’s challenging, exciting, meaningful, and enriching: no week, class, or cohort is ever the same! Working with students is never boring; they always surprise me.

My career path: one way or another, I’ll get there

I have been at the UG since 2016: first as a bachelor’s and master’s student in International Financial Management, during which I worked as a teaching assistant for a variety of courses at the FEB. After graduating, I worked as a talent and recruitment specialist. Not really in line with my studies, but I thought the human and social aspect of the job would fit my personality and soft skills better (instead of just crunching numbers in Excel). However, I still felt like I was missing something in my job: the ability to help people, which is an intrinsic motivation for me.

I remembered that I had always felt this sense of purpose when teaching classes as a TA. After those classes, I would often come home feeling happy and rewarded, knowing that I had helped students better understand the material and learn something valuable. So when I saw the junior lecturer vacancy at the UG, it felt like a natural step, and I returned to the University.

My message to other young professionals is also what I tell my students: it is completely normal not to know for sure what you want to do as a job. You can change directions (yes, even multiple times!) after starting your career.

When you study medicine, this path is often more straightforward than when you study for instance business. In business, the opportunities are endless, and you rarely specialize in just one thing. The types of institutions where you can work differ greatly. Ultimately, it becomes a matter of where you feel at home: with which type of organization, people, and culture. Throughout your career, you gradually discover what suits you, what excites you, and what you are good at. That is why it is so important to develop a transferable skillset that can grow with you across different roles.

Things I’ve learned along the way at the UG

Even before my official job started, I was already immersed in teaching through a summer school for new teachers organized by the University. This was a great way to meet colleagues, gain insights into teaching, and connect with people I would later work closely with on courses.

I am really glad that I had the opportunity to obtain my University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) in my first year as a Junior Lecturer. Having no formal background in education (I studied business economics), it was valuable to learn the theory behind designing a course and organizing classes effectively to engage students. This gave me the skills and knowledge but even more importantly, the confidence to be a good teacher.

I love how closely I work with students. Especially their fresh energy, talent, and great ideas. Class discussions often give me new perspectives, and sometimes students even teach me new things: whether it’s clever ways of using AI or surprisingly creative ways of bypassing AI checkers.

I believe the most important factor that keeps my job exciting is curiosity: curiosity towards students (because I can also learn from them) but also curiosity towards colleagues. What are they working on? What are they researching? How are they doing, both professionally and personally? Showing genuine interest creates connection and makes the workplace more meaningful.

What I also value in my job is the freedom to organize my workday and shape my role in a way that suits me. However, this freedom can be a double-edged sword. Too much freedom/too little structure can also be difficult for new and junior staff like me for whom this is one of their first jobs out of university. Questions like: What should I prioritize? Whom can I turn to when I feel overwhelmed? How do I know if I am meeting expectations? When is it appropriate to ask for help, and when should I figure things out on my own? And how can I build confidence in my decisions when I have limited experience? These were questions I often had in the beginning, especially during peak work periods when everything feels urgent, such as grading assignments, providing thesis feedback, and teaching multiple tutorials all at once.

For that reason, a bit more guidance for young teachers like me would be more than welcome. Together with my fellow junior lecturers, we are considering creating a small “start guide.” This could include practical tips on structuring a class, opening and closing classes effectively, and more practical matters like classroom logistics, using equipment, and knowing whom to approach with questions. Perhaps it could even include a small “survival guide” for high-workload periods, with tips on prioritizing and managing stress.

What I hope to contribute

Looking forward, there are a few things I would like to achieve and contribute during my time at the UG.

First, I hope to bring and maintain a sense of humor in daily interactions with colleagues, as it creates connection, lightness, and enjoyment in our work.

Second, I would like to help make the start less daunting for new hires. Hopefully, together with my colleagues, we can develop a guide that supports them in their first steps.

Finally, I want to be an inspiring teacher for my students: someone who shows that we genuinely care about their education and development. By providing tthoughtful feedback, truly engaging with their work, and staying curious, I hope to motivate them just a little bit more in their studies!