Learning from the experiences of others, gaining courage and motivation, receiving one or two important tips - that was the core idea of the networking evening, which took place as part of the ‘professional steps’ mentoring programme on 24 March 2025 at OTH Regensburg. Three alumni of the university reported on their professional careers and gave the mentees valuable advice. The students from various technical degree programmes at OTH Regensburg took the opportunity to ask numerous questions about career planning, changing jobs, dealing with decisions and important insights.
Three career paths - three valuable perspectives
‘Ask yourself what is important to you in life and how your job can fulfil this,’ is Liam McNeilly's advice to the students. Liam McNeilly is a trained IT specialist and studied Business Informatics at OTH Regensburg. He successfully completed his Master's degree in computer science here in 2022 with a Franco-German double degree. He started his career as a consultant for big data applications at a consulting company. ‘I don't know what I'll be doing in ten years' time. My motivation is to learn and discover something new every day. For me, my career is a constant process.’ This is how Liam McNeilly explained why he decided to change jobs after just two years. In his current position as Senior Consultant for Cloud and Data Platforms at Compana & Schott Business Services GmbH, he sees interesting development opportunities. Liam McNeilly was very involved in the student council during his studies. He encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities to think outside the box during their studies. Be it through stays abroad or involvement in the university's numerous student organisations.
Alexander Sennebogen successfully completed his bachelor's degree in production and automation technology at OTH Regensburg in 2021. This was followed by a Master's degree in Technology Management at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology. ‘Relationships make it easier to get a job,’ he knows from his own experience. During his studies, he gained practical experience at various companies through student traineeships and his final theses. In 2022, he started his career as a production planner at the Sturm Gruppe. In 2023, Alexander Sennebogen moved to the family business, where he is currently responsible for plant development in the area of production and logistics. At the same time, he is completing a trainee programme for company succession: ‘Now I'm back home, where it all started with a part-time job during my school days.’ ‘The combination of further training and professional experience is the game changer,’ said Alexander Sennebogen, trying to motivate the students to gain different practical experiences during their studies and to take advantage of further training opportunities.
Eveline Zimmermann also repeatedly emphasises the importance of practical experience. In particular, she used her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at OTH Regensburg to find out who she is and what she can do. Hence her message to the students: ‘Try it out!’ During her studies, it was always important to Eveline Zimmermann to follow her interests and so she supplemented her Bachelor's degree with a Master's degree in Intercultural Management, which she completed at OTH Regensburg in 2020. As part of her master's thesis, she developed an intercultural training programme for an engineering service provider, laying the foundation for her professional independence. She also completed training as a systemic coach. Today, she is self-employed as a communication trainer and career coach as well as working in Recruiting & Employer Branding at the WBS GRUPPE. Eveline Zimmermann found it very difficult to start her career due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, she did not give up, used her creativity and finally got her first job through her network. ‘If you persevere in tough times and don't give up, you can get ahead,’ was the most important lesson she learnt from her personal experience. With a small interactive exercise, she invited the mentees and other mentors not to lose sight of their personal strengths.
Networks as the key to success
The honesty and openness of the mentors facilitated an exciting exchange of experiences, for which all participants expressed their sincere thanks. Networks can open doors. That is why Katja Meier warmly invited all mentees to join the OTH Regensburg alumni network. The programmes for young professionals in particular make it possible to make interesting contacts towards the end of their studies, which can be helpful for career orientation and career entry.
In May, there will be a networking evening for mentors and female mentees only, which will provide a space to discuss the challenges faced by women in professional life. This will be followed at the beginning of June by a networking evening in English for international participants in the programme.
All information on the ‘professional steps’ mentoring programme can be found here.
