Join Science celebrates the successful conclusion of the third program round

The third round of the Join Science mentoring program at TU Dresden came to an end with a festive closing event on December 4, 2025. This year, the ServiceCenterStudium program supported 19 students and 7 young scientists in career planning, reflection, and networking in the field of science. For eight months, STEM students had the opportunity to intensively explore their personal goals, future career plans, and the possibility of a scientific career. The result: almost a third of the participating students are planning to pursue a doctorate after completing their master's degree. The success of the program impressively demonstrates the key role mentoring plays in actively shaping one's own career path.

The kick-off in April marked the start of the first half of the program, which was all about self-reflection. In workshops and training sessions, students explored questions about their skills, career goals, and inner resources. Topics such as mental self-empowerment, dealing with one's own thought patterns, and overcoming negative beliefs complemented this process. At the same time, the accompanying mentoring sessions offered first-hand guidance on pursuing a doctorate at TU Dresden.
The second half of the program focused on developing digital and methodological skills. Students learned about tools for self-organization, explored professional self-presentation on LinkedIn, and gained insights into the responsible use of AI in scientific work. In this context, special thanks goes to the virTUos team, who provided exciting insights into digital learning during a three-day workshop. At the same time, individual questions and personal concerns were addressed in depth during personal mentoring sessions. Students also had the opportunity to get to know their mentors' workplaces—an exciting insight into the everyday life of scientific research.

The program was made possible by the financial and conceptual support of the participating research areas – CeTI, POL, SECAI, ct.qmat, and the Graduiertenkollegs 2250.
The ServiceCenterStudium would like to express its sincere thanks in this regard. The funding sends a strong signal for the development of young scientists, for career orientation, and for the sustainable promotion of talent at TU Dresden.
Special thanks also goes to the  who volunteered their time and energy. With their wealth of experience and expertise, they provided students with valuable insights and a easier entry into the world of science.

One thing is already certain: Join Science will continue next year and enter its fourth round—a success that would be unthinkable without the commitment of the sponsors and mentors.

Are you interested in participating in the program? You can find all the information about the program and registration at https://tud.link/sbcv19.