Josefine Becker, born in 1994, completed a bachelor's degree in health economics in the GiP practice network at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences from 2015 to 2019 after graduating from high school. In addition to her studies and internships at Roche Diagnostics GmbH, AOK and the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Health, the 25-year-old was actively involved in student self-administration and university committees. In the fall, Josefine Becker will start her career in the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar as a "Junior Project Manager" in the Public Policy department at Roche Diagnostics GmbH. She is also involved in the health policy network #Gesundheit e.V.. SPEKTRUM spoke to Josefine Becker about her time studying in Ludwigshafen, her involvement with #Gesundheit e.V. and her plans for the future.
What key skills and impulses did you take away from your studies?
Josefine Becker: Above all, studying in Ludwigshafen educated me about the importance of changing perspectives. During the numerous practical phases, students have the opportunity to get to know the healthcare sector from a wide variety of perspectives. These changes of perspective offer the chance to understand the actions of the various players and to put them in relation to each other. Today, I benefit greatly from this knowledge. Whether in a private or professional context, I always try to think from different angles.
Thanks to the very early practical relevance, I was also able to build up a valuable network during my studies. I also learned during my studies that as a health economist, there is one factor that must never be neglected: the human factor.
What made you decide to study in Ludwigshafen in 2015 and why did you choose health economics with a practical focus?
A large part of my family works in the healthcare sector. So I developed a great interest in this field early on. After an acquaintance who has been working in the healthcare sector for some time recommended the degree course in Ludwigshafen to me - due to its good reputation - I took a closer look at the content and structure of the course and was quickly convinced. Today, I would also recommend the GiP program: You not only have a competitive advantage over "pure business graduates" in the healthcare sector, but also over other healthcare scientists who often have less practical experience and therefore a less good network.
Do you have fond memories of your time in Ludwigshafen?
Definitely. I really enjoyed studying at the university in Ludwigshafen. Of course, Ludwigshafen is not the most exciting place in the world, but you can still have a great student life at the university. Provided you want to! Through my work in the Sports & Travel Department of the AStA, I have experienced many great trips and met many great people; as a student representative on the Faculty Council and Senate, I was later able to gain deep insights into the work of the university's self-administration and have personally grown beyond myself.
The manageable size of the university not only offers the opportunity to get to know many students from the various Departments in a very short time, but also to maintain a very personal and informal exchange with the teaching staff. I actually always wanted to study at a large university. Today I'm glad that I decided against it. Instead of 200, I sat in lectures with 25 fellow students, was able to ask questions at any time and actively put my knowledge to the test.
What interesting projects are you currently working on?
After finishing my studies, I moved to Berlin, have been a member of #Gesundheit ever since and am doing an internship at a health start-up. As I will be moving back to the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar (MRN) in the fall for professional reasons - due to a job offer that arose from one of my internship phases - I would like to establish a regional group of the network in the MRN and initiate the health policy discourse among young people.
What is behind #Health?
The #Health platform sees itself as an innovative, independent think tank for the healthcare sector. We are characterized by young, motivated members who pursue their passion for improving healthcare. Our team spirit reflects the young and modern mindset of students, young professionals and doctoral candidates. We make sure that our network is as diverse and multi-professional as possible.
What are the visions of the association members?
Very clear: we want to have a say. We want to be the "young voice in the healthcare sector" and give a voice to digitally minded people with the courage to change. In our opinion, people are needed who dare to tackle the encrusted, complex structures in the healthcare sector and break them up. In doing so, we want to be as independent as possible. Above all, independent of the interests of our employers. We want to think in a multi-professional way and thus achieve the best possible result for the care of people and the entire healthcare sector.
How do you envisage setting up a regional group in the region?
Some members of #Health are already active in the region and would be happy to establish regional meetings. I have already had a very appreciative phone call with Professor Dr. Mudra and Professor Dr. Häusler from the university. I am delighted that the university is so open to my project. As a first step, I would like to publicize the network at the university and recruit new members. I am also already in contact with a number of companies in the region who would be willing to provide interesting speakers for topic-specific evenings. Then we need to advertise the meetings via our social media channels with a fairly wide reach. I hope to get the ball rolling in this way. In our experience, there is a lot of interest in the network.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the university management or your old Department?
First and foremost, I would like to say thank you. During the interview, I realized once again that a foundation stone had been laid for my career at the university. No matter where I go today and who I meet - people are enthusiastic about the wide range of opportunities I have and my interesting CV. I owe this in particular to the dual nature of my degree programs. I hope that the Department will continue to offer health economics degree programs. It needs well-trained health economists with a digital understanding who can understand and manage the complex requirements of digital healthcare in the future.
Good luck with #health and in your professional life and thank you very much for the interview!
More information on #health at: www.hashtag-gesundheit.de
