Dorothea Engert
INTERVIEW
Major: Geology.
Intern in the Super Hard Materials Research Department.
Dorothea is from Germany and is studying at Kiel University for a Bachelor’s degree. She interned at our Super Hard Materials Research Department in Osaka for 10 weeks.
Why did you want to intern at Sumitomo Electric? Since my second bachelor's semester, I have been working as a student research assistant at the Institute of Geosciences. Therefore, I have already experienced the working culture at a university. To have a better basis for deciding my professional future, I wanted to gain experience in working in industries. The opportunity of an internship at Sumitomo Electrics has provided me with a deeper insight into working life and working mechanisms in a company, which is useful background for my professional future. Especially linking knowledge in geology and economy was one of my main aims, which I was hoping to achieve during an internship. In my opinion, Sumitomo Electric was the perfect choice for that because SEI is a big global company with many different research interests, and this showed me the possibility of interdisciplinary work. Of course, I also wanted to seize the opportunity to get to know Japan as a country with all its facets.
What was the most interesting thing you learned from this internship?
This internship was a completely new experience for me. Therefore, I learned something new every day. I especially enjoyed adapting to the new circumstances and conditions. I took my first steps in learning Japanese and experienced a lot of new cultural and traditional aspects. And of course, I gained a lot of new knowledge regarding my internship project, which revealed an entirely new point of view for me. Before I came to Sumitomo Electric, I didn’t know anything about mullite, a mineral I worked with during my internship. Although it is a natural mineral, many geoscientists have never heard of it. Mullite is widely used in the ceramic industry. Perfect use of such a mineral requires knowledge of the material itself and knowledge of the earth’s mechanisms. It was very interesting to take in different points of view regarding the same material. This was an experience of working across disciplines, an ability that is not commonly taught at universities.
What was a typical workday like for you as an intern at SEI?
I worked on my own research project at Itami Works. My research tasks included investigation, preparing and doing experiments, analyzing as well as summarizing and interpreting results. As my tasks varied, my typical schedule would vary from day to day. I spent time at the lab, in the factory, and in the office, depending on my daily plan. However, my daily start was similar every day. After I changed into my uniform, I took my time to rest and acclimatize myself, because it was hot and humid outside most of the time. Meanwhile, I thought about my tasks and plans for the day by writing and checking my to-do list. Following that, I would meet my mentor to share my schedule. Although I had a lot of independent tasks, I always had meticulous guidance and learned how to work scientifically. It was a lot of fun and varied in terms of work. The help of my team, without which the whole project would not have been possible, was indispensable.
How has the internship helped shaped your career?
The internship provided me with a unique international experience that broadened my horizons. Because of the chance to work in a global company, I had the great opportunity to gain new knowledge in fields I didn’t expect. I had the possibility to learn how to do scientific research, including organizing and structuring experiments myself, as well as writing scientific reports and linking gained knowledge, which are among the major abilities of scientists. This internship strengthened my professional decision to enter research after graduation.
What advice do you have for other students considering this internship?
First of all, I can only advise you to do it, even if it seems too challenging, too big, too far or too unknown! It is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge even in fields you would never expect. It can strengthen or change your point of view about yourself and your professional future. In any case, it may point the way and be one of the most committed experiences of your life.
When you decide to apply for this internship, check if you need any additional equipment like a charging adapter, SIM cards, etc. You can also search for some places to visit in Japan, but I would recommend asking your colleagues and team members. There is nothing better than sites recommended by locals. And by the way, it is also a great topic to start a discussion and get to know someone. Don’t hesitate to talk with your group and the people around you. They have really helpful advice and are super supportive, encouraging, and simply great. So explore the working culture, traditions, nature, and landscape. Be curious and don’t worry, you will learn in your own way.
