[Music]
Hello, today we’re talking about the topic Women in STEM.
Hello, my name is Sabine Klinkner. I’m a professor of Satellite Technology here at the University of Stuttgart.
Hello, my name is Susanne Pätschke. I’m currently pursuing my PhD at the Institute of Space Systems in the field of satellite communications, and alongside that, I initiated a start-up. Since September 2022, I’ve been the CEO and co-founder of the start-up Zio.
Overcoming obstacles
The main challenges were people who didn’t believe I was capable of certain things. That happens along the way — probably to everyone — but as a woman entering a STEM field, it’s a recurring pattern to hear things like, “Can you even do math?” Of course, that makes you question yourself sometimes — whether you really belong in a field that’s not considered “typical,” and whether you can actually make it. I would say those barriers already started back in school, when some teachers didn’t trust me with certain tasks.
For example, one teacher once told me I couldn’t study engineering because I’m a woman — that I wouldn’t be able to do it. So comments like that start early on. And these kinds of remarks still exist — even in my work as a research associate here, I’ve occasionally received unpleasant comments, even from students. Unfortunately, that’s still part of everyday life.
Of course, even today, there are still moments that show it’s not yet completely normal. Just the fact that people still ask why you, as a woman, chose this field — it would be nice if that didn’t have to be questioned anymore, if it were just normal. Such things are unnecessary and unpleasant, but in the end, they weren’t obstacles that stopped me.
Support received
I didn’t really seek help, but what helps me enormously is having a good network — a circle of people you can exchange experiences with. It’s reassuring to know that others have had similar experiences, and together you can find ways to handle them. That’s always valuable.
I was also lucky to have a school principal who encouraged me to participate in math and robotics competitions. She recognized my technical curiosity early on and supported me. Later, when I started my studies, I was fortunate to already have visible role models — female professors and women in leadership positions, some of whom had also studied aerospace engineering.
Experiences at the university
Overall, I think the University of Stuttgart is doing very well. We’ve seen a strong increase in the number of female professors in recent years, which I find extremely important because it provides visible role models for young women — showing that it’s possible. That’s great, and I hope that continues.
What I’d also like to see is that it becomes self-evident to have women in STEM — without people counting how many women there are or making a point out of it. These little things still happen, but I believe it’s already improving a lot.
The university is definitely moving in the right direction — for example, when it comes to entrepreneurship. It’s known that not many women start their own companies, so the exchange of experience is limited. But the university listened to us and has now organized meetups and various events where we can connect — not only among start-ups from the University of Stuttgart, but also across the Baden-Württemberg region.
What does Diversity mean to you?
For me, diversity is a very important topic that still doesn’t get enough attention. I believe it’s essential that every person — regardless of gender, background, or other factors — has their opinion heard and their perspective valued.
I find diversity extremely important because it shows that when people with different backgrounds and experiences come together, they bring many different ideas into projects and collaborations — and that makes everything more enriching.
If I could give you one piece of advice: these are your goals, your dreams, your life. Believe in yourself and follow your own path.
Thank you for watching. Together for more diversity!
