Name, First Name: Gottschalk, Roman
Nationality: German
City, Country: Lübeck, Germany
Study program, Degree: Dual Study Program Mechanical Engineering, Specializing in Product Development, aterials and Production, M.Sc.
Year of graduation: 2015
Employer, Position: Nordischer Maschinenbau, Rud. Baader GmbH & Co.KG

Why did you choose the TUHH back then and was it a good decision from today's perspective?
At the time, I really wanted to do a dual study program because I had heard from a friend who had completed a dual study program at BASF that the knowledge I had learned could be put into practice during my studies. I also wanted to study at a university to get the best possible education. This interesting combination was available at the TUHH in conjunction with the Baader company. Even from today's perspective, participating in dual@TUHH was very good. The course prepared me very well for my current career. In addition, the TUHH's exchange program with the University of Waterloo in Canada gave me unforgettable experiences abroad, which broadened my linguistic and cultural horizons.

What motivated you to choose this subject and this career?
I played a lot with Lego as a child, and later with Lego technology and Lego Mindstorms. That's when I realized how much fun it was to build new machines and then bring them to life by programming them. I was also attracted by the idea of being able to combine theoretical knowledge from the TUHH with practical experience from a partner company. That's why it was clear to me quite early on that I wanted to become a classical mechanical engineer.

What is the best thing about your job?
I think the best thing is that I can be involved in the entire development of a new machine myself: from the concept phase and design at my desk, to testing the test machine in the test workshop, to testing the prototype on site at the customer's premises, for example in Norway or Scotland. These trips are often very strenuous, but I learn an incredible amount on site and it's a great feeling when the customer is satisfied with the new machine.

What do you use from your studies for your job?
I use different things from my studies depending on which components or assemblies are being developed. I often use my knowledge of mechanics and design theory because our filleting machines, for example, contain a lot of mechanical assemblies. But I also worked intensively with automation technology, fluid technology, sensor technology and FEM analyses during my studies and now need this knowledge regularly.

What does a typical working day look like for you and what skills do you need for it?
I am currently project manager and design manager for the further development of a fish processing machine. On the one hand, I have to develop and test the mechanical components of the machine, but on the other hand, I must not lose sight of the big picture and must ensure that the other team members can also perform their tasks optimally. I'm also currently traveling a lot to test newly developed machine functions on site at the customer's premises. Sometimes it's not easy to get everything under one roof, but it's still a lot of fun.

If you were President of the TUHH...
...I would definitely expand the dual study program at the TUHH.