Nov 27, 2025
The future doesn't need stereotypes — it needs talents
The future doesn't need stereotypes — it needs talents
Promoting future skills with the “Connect to Talent” project
Why is mechanical engineering considered a man’s domain and psychotherapy a woman’s? Puzzled?
Stereotypes shape our thinking, often without us noticing. They influence which careers we believe we’re suited for—and this starts long before pay gaps become visible.
A project at TU Dresden aims to change that. Since February 2024, the ServiceCenterStudium team has been working on the “Connect to Talent” project with students from the 7th grade up to young adults three years after graduating from high school. Objective: To inspire young people to explore fields of study and careers that are atypical for their gender, and to show that interest and ability matter more than traditional roles.
With younger participants, the focus is on playfully discovering their own talents and questioning common career conceptions. Older participants receive targeted support in choosing their field of study or profession — beyond conventional gender stereotypes. Together with role models, they explore degree programs and fields of work at TU Dresden, reflect on experiences, and develop new perspectives.
The university’s alumni network, coordinated by Susan Mayer, plays an important part in the project. TU Dresden graduates provide students with insights into their companies or research institutions during open house days. As role models working in gender-atypical fields, they demonstrate how diverse career paths can be and help young people gain a realistic picture of professional life.
So far, around 170 young people have participated in the program, 600 parents have been made aware of unconscious stereotypes, and 500 students have actively engaged with their strengths and career images in workshops.
“Connect to Talent” is funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Free State of Saxony.
Contact:
Stefanie Schroeder I Annika Lau
TU Dresden, Directorate Student Affairs and Continuing Education, ServiceCenterStudium
Team Connect to Talent