Josefine Becker, born in 1994, completed her bachelor's degree in health economics in the GiP practical alliance at the University of Applied Sciences in Ludwigshafen 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 Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region as a junior project manager in the public policy department of Roche Diagnostics GmbH. She is also involved in the health policy network #Gesundheit e.V.. SPEKTRUM spoke with Josefine Becker about her time studying in Ludwigshafen, her involvement with #Gesundheit e.V. and her plans for the future.
What crucial skills and impulses did you take away from your studies?
Josefine Becker: Above all, studying in Ludwigshafen taught me how important it is to change perspectives. During the numerous practical phases, students have the opportunity to get to know the healthcare industry from a wide variety of perspectives. These changes of perspective offer the chance to understand the actions of the various players and to relate them to each other. Today, I benefit greatly from this knowledge. Whether in a private or professional context, I always try to think from multiple angles.
Due to the very early practical relevance, it was also possible for me to establish a valuable network during my studies. In addition, I learned during my studies that as a health economist, there is one factor you absolutely must not neglect: the human factor.
What made you decide to study in Ludwigshafen in 2015 and why did you choose health economics in practice?
A large part of my family works in the healthcare industry. So I developed a great interest in this field early on. After an acquaintance who has been working in the healthcare industry for some time recommended the study program in Ludwigshafen to me - due to its good reputation - I took a closer look at the content and structure of the program and was quickly convinced. Today, I would also recommend the GiP program to others: You not only have a competitive edge over "pure business economists" in the healthcare field, but also over other healthcare scientists, who often have less practical experience and thus 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 in the departmental council and senate, I was later able to gain deep insights into the work of the university's self-government and personally outgrew myself.
The manageable size of the university not only gives me 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 familiar exchange with the teaching staff. Actually, I always wanted to study at a large university. Today I am glad that I decided against it. Instead of 200, I sat in the lecture with 25 fellow students, could ask questions at any time and actively demonstrate my knowledge.
What interesting projects are you currently working on?
After finishing my studies, I moved to Berlin, have since become a member of #Health and am doing an internship in a health start-up. Since I will be moving back to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region (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 health policy discourse among young people.
What is behind #Health?
The #Health platform sees itself as an innovative, independent ideas workshop 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 thinking of students, young professionals and PhD students. At the same time, we make sure that our network is as colorful, i.e. multi-professional, as possible.
What are the visions of the association members?
Quite clearly: We want to have a say. We want to be the "young voice in healthcare" 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 healthcare 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 multiprofessionally and thus achieve the best possible result for the care of people and the entire healthcare industry.
How do you envision building a regional group in the area?
Some members of #Health are already active in the region and would be happy to establish regional meetings. To this end, I have already had a very appreciative telephone conversation with Professor Dr. Mudra and Professor Dr. Häusler from the university. I am pleased 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. In addition, I am already in contact with some companies in the region that would be willing to provide exciting speakers for topic-specific evenings. Then it's a matter of promoting the meetings via our social media channels with quite a wide reach. I hope to get a ball rolling that 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 cornerstone for my career was laid at the university. No matter where I show up today and who I meet - people are enthusiastic about my versatile job opportunities and my interesting resume. I owe this in particular to the dual nature of my degree program. I hope that the department will continue to hold on to the health economics degree program. It needs well-trained health economists with digital understanding who can understand and manage the complex requirements of digital healthcare of the future.
Good luck with #health and in your professional life and thank you very much for the interview!
More info on #Health at: www.hashtag-gesundheit.de
