OPINION! Monika Wulf-Mathies on careers, women & humanities scholars: “You can achieve a lot if you just want to & don't let yourself be discouraged”

Dr. Monika Wulf-Mathies worked in the Chancellery, was ÖTV chairman, in the European Commission and adviser to Gerhard Schröder. She has been with DHL since 2001. In the interview she reported on her recipe for success.

After studying history, German and economics and completing her doctorate in Hamburg in 1968, Wulf-Mathies initially worked as an assistant officer in the Federal Ministry for Economy, then in the Federal Chancellery, among other things, head of the department for social and social policy. In 1976 she was elected to the board of the ÖTV trade union, and in 1982 she became chairwoman. From 1994 to 1999 she was a member of the European Commission, after which she was European policy advisor to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder until 2000. She has been with Deutsche Post DHL since 2001, initially as head of the “Politics and Sustainability”, since 2009 as Advisor to the Management Board. How did you manage to be so successful as a woman and humanities scholar?

Ms. Dr. Wulf Mathies, you have an impressive CV behind you - despite or because of your studies in humanities?

I don't think you can say that because I'm a humanities scholar, I was successful. But in principle, every course of study imparts key and basic skills that enable you to structure facts, to systematically work on new topics and to be Background apply in different areas. Humanities scholars also develop important Competencies, from the language to the culture that Society and life in general, to good writing and a sensitivity to "soft skills" useful for many jobs.

Scientists are often told that they are alien to the world and can not be used for the labor market. What qualifications have helped you?

In addition to the skills mentioned, you need for sure additional properties like Commitment and diligence, willingness to perform, enjoyment of work, determination and perseverance, willingness to take risks, a healthy self-confidence, assertiveness and decisiveness, and last but not least: luck!

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You're successful as a woman and a humanist - was not that actually a double handicap for your career?

Yes and no. Of course, there is still a lot of prejudice against Women in leadership positions. But if you're good and you're capable of something, you're also more visible as a man - and that can help that important people look at you I aufmerksam become. Women often have too much self-doubt when they Career want to do, although they are usually more qualified than males Candidate. A healthy self-confidence is therefore absolutely necessary for a career.

How do you feel about the reproach that anyone who is studying something for joy only, does not have to wonder afterwards if he does not find a job?

If you don't enjoy what you're doing and your field of study, you can't do anything. Of course, it's easier as a lawyer or business economist on the later Job towards studieren, but even these studies are still no guarantee for lasting success. You also have to be willing to learn a lot. In Britain there was an advice that studying "The Greeks" would qualify you for the highest positions in government. That means: The main thing is that you study what you study with passion and learn to be open to everything else, then you will find a job that you enjoy.

They have also studied economics, so they are not a pure spiritual scientist. Did this study help you with your career?

Not necessarily or only in the sense that I have started my study from the beginning, and thus proved that I am not solely based on German studies and history.

What do you think is the most important career factors?

Of course, happiness, chance, self-initiative, networks are equally important. But it remains that in the end your own commitment and the will to prevail or to bite, decides.

It is a good idea to suggest that careers can be planned: what is your attitude to it and what does it depend on your experience?

Experience has taught me that very little can be planned: What is important, however Courage and willingness to take risks, because in the course of your professional life you will repeatedly come across milestones where you are decide must: for a rather leisurely and unexciting path or for a challenge whose consequences one cannot necessarily assess in advance down to the smallest detail. Of course, each entails Risks there is also the risk of failure, but you can achieve a lot if you really want it and don't let yourself get discouraged.

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