Katja Gertje studied social work at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences, specializing in social work as work with mental health crises, and successfully completed her studies in 2015. While still a student, Katja Gertje worked at the social psychiatric service of the Bad Dürkheim district administration, and since graduating she has worked as a social worker at the care authority of Frankenthal city council. Gertje has now been working as a victim protection officer for the Rheinpfalz police headquarters since May 2020.
Do you have fond memories of your time at the university in Ludwigshafen?
K. Gertje: I found my time at the university to be good preparation for my work as a social worker. I also found the "framework" of the degree program very pleasant in terms of the lectures, elective options, flexibility and student involvement.
What made you decide to study at the university in Ludwigshafen?
At the time, the proximity to my home town was decisive for me. I was also attracted to the university by the exchange with graduates of the degree programs and the positive testimonials from students.
What are your tasks at the Rheinpfalz Police Headquarters?
As a victim protection officer at the Rhineland-Palatinate Police Headquarters, I am available as a contact person for those affected by crimes and accidents, for example traffic accidents, for witnesses to such situations as well as for relatives and surviving dependents, but also for employees of the police headquarters and for employees of non-police institutions on the subject of "victim protection". My tasks also include networking and public relations work.
What skills from your studies are of particular benefit to you?
During my studies, I learned to always reflect on supposedly individual problems in a social context in order to be able to develop sustainable and meaningful solutions or approaches in the interests of those affected. This approach not only shapes my view of the concerns of people seeking advice, but also the way I work.
Are there any major differences in your current role as a victim protection officer compared to your previous professional activities?
The topics and occasions in my current work are actually very different from my previous activities. However, as far as my working approaches and methods are concerned, I always recognize overlaps: In my counseling, the focus is on the person seeking advice and their concerns. The situations and wishes of those affected are very individual and therefore require a great deal of empathy and a broad knowledge of various offers of help - from benefits under the Victims Compensation Act to offers from self-help groups, for example for grieving relatives. Fortunately, I have a good local network to fall back on, so networking is also a high priority in my work.
There are certainly stressful moments in your job. How do you cope with these moments and what helps you to find a balance?
In stressful situations or difficult contacts, it often helps me to reflect together, for example with colleagues from other police headquarters. As soon as I can recognize why the situation is having a stressful effect on me, I can usually "pinpoint" where the stress is coming from - sometimes it's due to the general conditions, such as the overall high workload or the case constellation. The professional exchange is extremely important here and I'm glad that my employer also sees it that way.
Have you been in contact with your "old" university since your degree?
I still have occasional contact with students from my year. In addition, from the time I graduated in 2015 until the start of the coronavirus pandemic, I visited the university library a few times, which also has very helpful and useful literature for the time after graduation. I also follow the events offered by the Department of Social and Health Care with great interest.
What offers might attract you to the university?
The Master's program in Social Work :-)
Is there anything else you would like to say to your former degree programs or Departments?
I really appreciated the openness and development opportunities of the Department as a student and I very much hope that current students will also find these conditions.
Thank you very much for the interview!
Interview: Elena Wassmann
