Back to the Hall of Femmes

Hall of Femmes

Claudia Auinger

A moment with...
Dr Claudia Auinger

“As Deputy Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce of East Westphalia, I’m in charge of the economic development department in our Paderborn office. I came to this role with extensive experience in local economic development and technology transfer from previous professional positions, as well as a PhD in regional economic development.”

(1) What I love about my current job is...
...the diversity of my work and co-operating directly with companies. Every day brings new and exciting tasks and challenges with it.

(2) My current job suits me perfectly because...
...I like collaborating with people and companies. My job’s perfect for me because it requires both my analytical skills and knowledge and a high degree of empathy.

(3) One of the highlights of my career so far has been...
...without doubt finishing my PhD, which I did part time.

(4) When I look back on my career so far, I’d say that what has particularly shaped me has been...
...the realisation that much is possible. I believe that all it takes is personal ambition, a high degree of discipline and perseverance.

(5) I’d advise any young women wishing to pursue a career similar to mine to...
...be focused and determine your goals at an early stage. Support from your family is also vital. It’ll be far more difficult to achieve your professional goals without their support.

(6) Networking with other women in my field is important to me because...
...sharing information and ideas with them often gives me key insights and ideas for my own work. So, I’d definitely advise readers to network well!

(7) I associate my time at Paderborn University with...
...many happy memories and positive experiences. My degree and PhD were important stages in my life that I wouldn't want to have missed out on. Even though it was difficult trying to balance my degree and PhD with my family life.

(8) For the next 50 years, I wish Paderborn University...
...continued positive development.

(9) To conclude, I’d like to share the following with “Hall of Femmes” readers:
It’s great that much has changed in recent years with regard to the traditional division of male and female roles. We’re on the right track, but are still a long way off perceiving family life and everything related to it as an equal “job” to be shared by both parents. Each and every one of us can do their bit – no matter how small – to help us come closer to closing this equality gap.

Also worth seeing

Dilger, Bernadette
Professor Bernadette Dilger
Bernadette Dilger is Professor of Business Education at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. She completed her doctoral degree on “The self-reflective learner” at Paderborn University in 2007. Her research focuses on impact-oriented business didactics.
Read interview
Salié, Katty
Katty Salié
Katty Salié is a journalist and has been presenting legendary ZDF cultural show “aspekte” since 2012. She completed her degree in Paderborn in 2000 with a thesis on the love relationships of Emma in Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary”.
Read interview
Lenzing, Anke
Professor Anke Lenzing
Anke Lenzing is Professor of English Language Teaching at the University of Innsbruck. She completed her habilitation at Paderborn University in 2018, receiving the Venia Legendi for English Linguistics and Psycholinguistics.
Read interview
Sigrid Beer
Sigrid Beer
Sigrid Beer, a Paderborn graduate who worked as a research assistant at the university for many years, was a member of the parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen for 17 years.
Read interview
Eller, Elke
Dr Elke Eller
Elke Eller completed her doctoral degree at Paderborn University in 2014. She is a supervisory board member, investor and coach, specialising in the transformation of organisations and the role of people in these processes.
Read interview