Inspiration for future careers: the Elite Network of Bavaria welcomed its new members at the traditional Get Together event. Alumnus Kai Linde and Professor Sabine Maasen, Head of the Elite Graduate Program in Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology, outlined some of the potential career routes on offer.
Stay in academia, make the move to industry or found a company of your own? Sooner or later, most members of the Elite Network of Bavaria will have to consider such options. Kai Linde made that decision several years ago. Having completed the Elite Graduate Program in „Software Engineering“, he founded a start-up with a team of partners: QPLIX. The software company offers an IT platform that makes it easier than ever before to manage large, private assets.
At the Get Together on 3 November 2018, Kai Linde discussed his experiences of entrepreneurship. In an interview, he told the story of how he came to found a start-up.
In my experience, it’s worthwhile being open to new things in life. The important thing is to seize the opportunities that appear and ensure you’re in a supportive environment. After finishing my studies, I spent several years working for an investor who made investments in technology start-ups, because I also wanted to gain commercial, entrepreneurial expertise. I saw so many ideas for companies during this time – it was so fascinating. As an investor, though, you’re always a secondary player. That was when I realized that I really wanted to start something myself, from scratch. And that I’d be happy to take the responsibility for it, too.
Founding a company of your own is a risk. You have less security than in a regular job, and you have to be able to deal with that. From my experience as an investor, I know that everything always sounds good on paper. But every stage in a company’s growth brings with it new challenges. Founding a company is a roller-coaster ride. The decisive factor is the founder’s motivation. You have keep believing in your goal for the long haul and refuse to be deterred by any difficulties.
It really is great fun, even if it is a lot of work. At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matter whether you work seven hours a day or twelve – our work is a major part of our lives. For me, it would be such a shame to spend time on something I didn’t enjoy. Lots of people also warned me not to found a company with a friend, but I like to work with people that I get along well with. At QPLIX, I now work alongside five former students of the Elite Graduate Program. We believe that the program identifies talented, academically gifted graduates that fit into our team brilliantly.”
Yes, it’s important to give thought to your network. I think that we’re still far too reserved in this regard in Germany. In the USA, my experience was that people almost take it as self-evident that they would support one another and stay in touch. This is another reason why students should make use of the Elite Network of Bavaria’s events. I’ve just been speaking with students from entirely different disciplines at the Get Together. It was fascinating to hear, for instance, what’s going on in the field of biology.
Every year, the Elite Network of Bavaria invites its new members to its traditional Get Together. On 3 November 2018, more than 300 students gathered in the Audimax foyer at TU Munich. The event afforded them the opportunity to find out about the Elite Network’s offering and to get to know other members of the Network from other disciplines and funding lines. As well as Kai Linde, Professor Sabine Maasen – Head of the Elite Graduate Program in "Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology" (RESET) – also gave a speech.
The Elite Network of Bavaria currently supports more than 3000 members and keeps in touch with around 6800 alumni. Its program lines include the Max Weber-Programm, Research Scholarships, Elite Graduate Programs (32 at present), 7 International Doctorate Programs and 12 Junior Research Groups.
The Elite Network of Bavaria also encourages its members to exchange ideas, including across its funding lines. The Network’s other offerings include Soft Skill Seminars, an interdisciplinary lecture series, the EliteCup football tournament and the opportunity to take part in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.
