*Germany
Field: Natural Sciences
Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Physics, specializing in Astrophysics
My work:
Astrophysicist • Lecturer in science communication • Science journalist
Brief job description:
As a science journalist, I research current topics in the field of research and then write newspaper articles or books about them to make them accessible to a broad audience. As an instructor in science communication, I teach scientists how to explain their own research in a way that is understandable to the general public.
Felicitas Mokler
"My vision for women in the STEM sector is that the gender-based inequalities in career opportunities that still exist today will be eliminated in the future."
Did you have a clear idea of what your future would look like when you were a child?
Yes, I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be an astrophysicist.
Which person(s) or experience(s) had the greatest influence on your decision about what career to pursue, and why?
I can’t really say for sure. I just usually knew pretty clearly what I wanted. One advantage was definitely that our high school had an observatory, where I could pursue my early interest in astronomy alongside other like-minded students. Studying physics, with a specialization in astrophysics, was then the obvious choice for me. The decision I made later, after completing my doctorate and spending some time in research, to ultimately switch to science communication and science journalism was ultimately driven by the poor prospects for permanent positions in academia.
Please tell us how your interest in your profession, field of study, or craft was sparked.
I started asking questions about the starry sky and reading books on that subject and on physics at an early age—even before I took physics as a school subject. That was probably my good fortune, because my first physics teacher was, unfortunately, particularly demotivating toward us girls. But since I had already explored the subject on my own and experienced just how exciting astronomy and physics can be, he couldn’t take that joy away from me.
What do you like most about your current job?
As a science journalist, I continue to work closely with the latest research, read original publications on current findings, and speak directly with scientists about them. Making all of this accessible to a broad audience in a way that is easy to understand is very important to me. In addition, I come into contact with a very wide variety of topics. And probably even more so than during my active time in research, which has become very specialized in the meantime. I find that very exciting as well.
These qualities have helped me along the way:
Passion for the cause, tenacity, and perseverance!
If you could give young women some advice, what would it be?
Do what interests you and what you’re passionate about. Don’t let anything deter you, even if you have to overcome obstacles along the way—whether they’re occasional setbacks or a lack of recognition or appreciation from colleagues.
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Kontakt
Tel. 069 / 713 79 69-0
Das Telefon ist von Mo. – Fr. zwischen 10:00 Uhr und 12:00 Uhr besetzt.
Fax 069 / 713 79 69-190
info@experiminta.de
