In den letzten zwölf Wochen unterstützte Eddie Kriz aus London im Rahmen eines Praktikums das RCE Graz-Styria. Dabei erhielt er Einblicke in verschiedene Arbeitsbereiche des Zentrums, wie etwa im erst vor wenigen Monaten gestarteten EU-Projekt „ConSus“ oder in der Lehre zur Nachhaltigen Regionalentwicklung. Das Praktikum selbst ist durch das Leonardo-Programm der EU finanziert. Gemeinsam mit der britischen Organisation Change Agents bietet das RCE Graz-Styria jährlich etwa zwei PraktikantInnen aus dem Vereinigten Königreich die Chance einen Einblick in das akademische Leben eines universitären Zentrums zu erhalten.
Erfahren Sie selbst in untenstehendem Interview, welche Eindrücke Eddie aus seinem Praktikum mitgenommen hat.
Wir möchten uns bei Eddie herzlich für seine wertvolle Arbeit bedanken und wünschen ihm für seinen weiteren Lebensweg alles Gute!
RCE: What are the three most valuable experiences you had during your time here?
Eddie: Firstly, being a part of an E.U TEMPUS Project Kick-Off Meeting. It was a valuable experience to be a part of that and learn how big projects like this get up and running. The project is called ConSus – Connecting Science-Society Collaborations for Sustainability Innovations. The aim is to bring together actors from academic institutions and stakeholders from wider society to work towards sustainable development in Albania and Kosovo. This is a three year project so future interns will also be working on this.
Secondly, writing my log to go towards my Professional Development Award provided me with a focus and a valuable qualification moving forward. The Professional Development Award is a qualification that is available through ChangeAgents UK. The goal is to choose a subject that fits with your placement and you feel could be improved. Then during your time on placement you carryout self-assessments on completed tasks and analyse how your activities are helping you move towards your overall objective.
Thirdly, gaining experience speaking in a lecture environment as part of the Regional Development module was an experience I hope to build on. Speaking in an academic setting to many people can be a nerve racking experience, however the only way to get better is to practice and this opportunity can be hard to come by. I hope to continue in academia by completing a research degree therefor experience in public speaking is a valuable skill.
RCE: What have you enjoyed about your stay here in Graz?
Eddie: I am a big winter sports fan and have loved going snowboarding here in the Alps. Also in recent weeks the sun has been shining, and the city park comes alive in the sunshine, I have enjoyed reading there and playing games with friends. Meeting a great group of people has made the experience an exciting journey.
RCE: What have you liked about the placement with the RCE?
Eddie: I have liked working within an academic context which is something I would like to pursue over the coming years. Everyone in the office is extremely friendly and helpful, this makes for a relaxed and stress free working environment.
RCE: What have you found challenging about living away from the U.K?
Eddie: The language is always going to be a challenge, my biggest challenge with German was remembering what I had learnt as I wasn’t practicing it as much as I should have been. Being away from friends and family sometimes can be difficult even if the placement is only for 12 weeks.
RCE: What skills do you feel you have developed during your placement?
Eddie: I feel I have developed my project management skills in general. Project management has many different assets such as communication, time management and budgeting.
RCE: How would you describe the atmosphere in the RCE office?
Eddie: There is a great atmosphere in the office everyone is really friendly and gets on well together. My colleagues are extremely supportive and speak English to a high standard (although this might not be great for your German language skills). The RCE has recently moved office to a spacious house with lots of light. This makes for a great working environment.
RCE: What were the factors that motivated you over the 12 weeks?
Eddie: My motivation stems from making steps towards having a career within the green economy. Thus working within education for sustainable development is motivation enough for me to move forward. I am moving onto study for a master’s degree and then possibly a further research degree so gaining experience in an academic setting has been extremely valuable.
RCE: How do you think your experience at the RCE Graz-Styria will help you moving forward?
Eddie: I think working for the RCE Graz-Styria in education for sustainable development helped me gain experience in a research capacity within an academic institute as well as project management. Within the framework of my stay in Graz I have had the opportunity to complete a City and Guilds Professional Development Award in Project Management. This award and my experience here at the RCE Graz-Styria will be great when applying for jobs in the future as most jobs require an element of project management experience. Working in an academic environment on education for sustainable development is a great asset for me moving forward because in the next few years I hope to apply for funding for a PhD in the field of sustainability.