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Hall of Femmes

Habig, Therese

A moment with...
Therese Habig

“After my degree in Computer Science at Paderborn University, I went on to be a research assistant and then Deputy Chair before founding in 2017 (with colleagues) safety innovation center gGmbH, where we specialise in research in digitisation for civil safety.”

(1) What I love about my current job is...
...working with people, the variety, the visionary, the feeling of improving something, the internationality and the freedom.

(2) One of the highlights of my career so far has been...
...meeting and getting to know my current co-founder, and realising that we both wanted to establish this co-operation for the long term. Also successfully applying for and managing an EU project, which further spurred me on.

(3) When I look back on my career so far, I’d say that what has particularly shaped me has been...
…my parents, who’ve always believed in me; my colleagues, who’ve very much helped make work fun; and my boss in my department, who believed in us and still supports us today.

(4) People and career paths of others that encouraged me to take up my profession and start a business are...
...those who always believed in me and dared to take big steps in life themselves (my parents).

(5) I’d advise any young women wishing to pursue a career similar to mine to...
...believe in themselves and listen to their gut instincts.

(6) One challenge I believe still needs to be conquered on the road to gender equality is...
...equality in both professional positions and child-rearing roles within the family, as well as the promotion of mixed teams in organisations.

(7) I associate my time at Paderborn University with...
...a lot of fun and wonderful memories that have significantly shaped my current path.

(8) For the next 50 years, I wish Paderborn University...
...to continue to be open to innovations and to further expand Paderborn as a location – both nationally and internationally.

(9) To conclude, I’d like to share the following with “Hall of Femmes” readers:
Besides health, fun and joy are the most important requisites for a happy life. If you realise you’re not happy, make some changes and believe in yourself. Don’t wait for others to do it for you!

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