Alum Lena Mielke: Studying at Aalto changed my view on life

What was the best part of the programme?

I had two highlights during my studies. The first one was that I got the opportunity to do an exchange semester at The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) where I studied about solar storms and their impact on the Earth’s magnetosphere. It was an incredible experience to live and study in the Arctic for three months.

The second highlight was my master’s thesis at Metsähovi Radio Observatory. I studied active galaxies and analysed them using machine learning techniques. During my time at the observatory, I also was responsible for the 14 meters radio telescope in several observing shifts. Working with such a telescope was a dream of mine since I was a child.
 

What was the best part of student life?

Student life in Finland is completely different to what I was used to in Germany, there are a lot of traditions. What I liked the most about student life at Aalto is that there is always something happening – a sauna evening, a sitsit or a pub crawl. That way you can meet a lot of people and make new friends. But there are quiet places as well, the nature reservoir Laajalahti is walking distance from campus and the Nuuksio national park is reachable with public transport, so going hiking or camping with friends is also easily possible.

What kind of tools did you get from your studies that have been useful in your working life?

In my job I have had a lot to do with colleagues from other countries, like the UK or France. During the two years of my master’s studies, I was constantly working in an international environment and improving my English skills a lot. This was definitely an advantage in my job.

Besides that, my studies provided me with better technical knowledge, for example about the whole process of satellite development and a better scientific background.

Where have you been working after studies? How did you end up in your job?

I continued after my studies working as a development engineer at Airbus Defence and Space in Southern Germany. At the site of Friedrichshafen Airbus is building Earth observation and science satellites. My responsibilities were support, trainings and automation processes.

I was working for the company since 2015, before I decided to take a break from working life to study at Aalto and I returned after I finished my master’s studies.

2024 I started PhD studies at Space Physics at the University Cente of Svalbard where I had my exchange semester earlier.