INTERVIEW
Chemistry
Intern at Analysis Technology Research Center
Jannis is from Germany, currently studying at the RWTH Aachen University. He is pursuing a Master degree in Chemistry. Jannis interned with us at our Analysis Technology Center at Itami Works for 8 weeks.
Why did you want to intern at Sumitomo Electric?
Since I had been interested in material analysis for a long time, the topic and scope of work at the Analysis Technology Research Center was very appealing to me. Given that I was about to finish my Master’s degree, I decided that this was the perfect time to go abroad and experience life and work in another country. When researching about Sumitomo Electric as a company, I quickly realized that this is the type of company I would like to work for in the future. So, this internship program presented itself to me as a great opportunity in many different ways.
What has been the most interesting thing you have learnt from this internship?
By far, the most interesting part of the internship was the incredible personal development that occurred in just a few weeks.
Living in a country with a drastically different culture and language provided me with deep insights into who I am. I gained a different perspective on things that I took for granted before. My time in Japan also showed me the importance of approaching anything with an open mind.
What was a typical workday like for an intern at SEI?
Each day started with a meeting where plans for the day were discussed. The mornings were usually spent learning about physical and chemical analysis methods and performing experiments to characterize various inorganic samples. After lunch break, additional measurements were executed and the obtained experimental data was compiled, analyzed and evaluated.
How has the internship help shaped your career?
I started my PhD soon after the internship. The lessons I learnt about work efficiency and data processing were invaluable. In addition, I gained a lot of know-how on material analysis that is very helpful for my current scientific research. As far as my future career goes, thanks to the internship, I am now fairly certain that I want to work abroad after graduation.
What advice do you have for future students considering to participate in this internship?
You don’t need to fear being alone. Everyone is welcoming and helpful: Your fellow interns, your coworkers and of course the organization team. If you encounter any problems whatsoever, there is someone to talk to. The internship is also an incredible chance to make new friends from all over the world. Use it!
