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Hall of Femmes

Thissen, Anne

A moment with...
Dr Anne Thissen

“After a degree in Sports Science from Paderborn University, I worked as a lecturer and research assistant at Paderborn University and the University of Kassel. Since July 2019, I’ve been working as a pedagogical supervisor for second division football club SC Paderborn 07’s youth academy.”

(1) What I love about my current job is...
...the variety of my work: There are new challenges for me to tackle every day, which enables me to constantly develop and grow.

(2) My current job suits me perfectly because...
...I enjoy it and am good at guiding and supporting young athletes with their development.

(3) One of the highlights of my career so far has been...
...defending my dissertation. In addition to the joy of finally completing my dissertation and being able to present it in front of family, friends and colleagues, it filled me with pride that my mentor and confidant Professor Miriam Kehne was an external member on the examination board.

(4) A time when I doubted my decision to go to university or to pursue my current career path was...
...when, despite having a very good degree and a number of references under my belt, I had to exercise a great deal of patience after graduating before I finally got the opportunity to prove my abilities with my first job as a research assistant.

The reason I didn’t give up was in particular down to the fact that...
...I knew what I wanted and wasn’t (yet) willing to give up on my goal.

(5) When I look back on my career so far, I’d say that what has particularly shaped me has been...
...the fact that I never lost sight of my goals, despite coming up against several obstacles.

(6) I’d advise any young women wishing to pursue a career similar to mine to...
...always think about alternative career plans and paths and be as versatile as possible and network as much as possible.

(7) I personally benefited from the equal opportunity measures in place at Paderborn University when I...
...got to participate in the eighth year of the university’s mentoring programme for female doctoral students in 2014/2015.

(8) I associate my time at Paderborn University with...
…a multitude of funding and support opportunities – both as a student and as an employee.

(9) For the next 50 years, I wish Paderborn University...
...to continue to pursue the path it has taken and to support and promote the transfer of knowledge and findings between the academic world and the world beyond.

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