“You don’t have to know today where you will be in 20 years, but you should have the courage to start.” With this message, the Rector of the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Dr. habil. Heike Zimmermann-Timm, opened her keynote speech in front of around 100 students at the Vocational School Center “Friedrich Siemens” in Pirna.
Shortly before graduation, the students took the opportunity to learn about future prospects after school. The focus of the talk was not the question “What do you want to become someday?”, but rather: “What kind of future do you want to help shape?”
The Rector emphasized that careers rarely follow a straight path. Opportunities often arise where people are willing to explore new directions, take responsibility, and view change as an opportunity. Courage, openness, and curiosity are often more important than a perfectly defined life plan.
In addition, Zimmermann-Timm presented the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, which not only equips students with academic knowledge but also supports them in developing key future skills: analytical thinking, creativity, teamwork, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to understand complex interconnections. The challenges of our time—from digitalization and healthcare to sustainability—require people who think across disciplines and develop solutions together.
The Dresden University of Applied Sciences warmly thanks Ms. Berit Rülke, Deputy Head of the Vocational School Center “Friedrich Siemens,” for the invitation.
These encounters make an important contribution to encouraging young people to find their own path—future-oriented, responsible, and with a joy for learning.
