(interviewed in  the year 2025)

Thomas Scheufler

"Ask! Explore! Break New Ground!", Thomas Stierle advises prospective students. At the start of his career, he wanted to know why there was so much smoke and so many breakages when experimenting with electronics. He soon found the answer in his electrical engineering degree at TU Dresden. And not only that. With a solid university degree under his belt and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he progressed through various branches of the automotive industry, seized opportunities, weighed up risks, broke new ground and is now head of the E-Mobility division at Schaeffler AG.

Profile	Thomas Stierle
Degree program	Diplom degree program in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Technology
Faculty	Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Study period	1989 - 1995
Current work	CEO of E-Mobility and Member of the Executive Board of Schaeffler AG

Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden?

As a child, I went to a school that specialized in math and science, which gave me the opportunity to work on several projects with TU Dresden. I really enjoyed the experience, and even back then, TU Dresden had an excellent reputation for electrical engineering.

What made you choose this degree program?

I originally wanted to study math. But I also wanted to understand why so much went wrong and why there was so much smoke when experimenting with electronics. With this interest as a basis, I decided to study electrical engineering.

What researchers or lecturers influenced you the most during your studies?

When I was studying, Prof. Albrecht Reibinger was a controversial figure amongst the students, but I personally found him fascinating. As his student assistant, I had the opportunity to get to know him better and also learned a lot from him professionally. He supported me a lot, so that I was able to study in the USA after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Where are you employed today, and what are your responsibilities?

As a member of the Executive Board of Schaeffler AG, I manage the E-Mobility division.

What advice would you give to our current first-years?

Always take the opportunity to apply what you have learned and stay curious. This also includes trying out new things, questioning the status quo, and seeking out opportunities rather than dwelling on risks.

What do you remember most fondly about your time as a student?

I have particularly fond memories of the sense of community amongst students in the dorms, and the spirit of optimism that prevailed during the time of reunification, which could also be felt at the university.

What was your favorite place on campus?

The new computer labs – all of a sudden we had access to modern technology. The labs were often fully booked, so I spent many nights there.

What still has a lot of value for you today/would you like to have had more of?  

To this day, I still benefit from the excellent fundamental training in math, electrical engineering and computer technology that I received during my studies. That said, I would have liked more practical relevance so that I was better prepared for professional life.

What tips do you have for hitting the ground running in your industry?

Be committed and passionate about what you do, always be eager to learn and ask a lot of questions. These questions can be developed into new ideas that can be used to find and motivate like-minded individuals. It is also important to break new ground in order to develop innovations that really generate impact.

What connects you to TU Dresden today?

First and foremost, my connection to TU Dresden is that I received an excellent education here, which laid the foundation for my professional career. I have very fond memories of that time.

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