Felix Smola wanted to do something practical after school, ideally in the field of event technology. A careers adviser suggested he try a dual study programme, so he began an apprenticeship whilst simultaneously studying mechanical engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics at HSRW. “That was exactly the right choice,” says the 20-year-old, who completed his apprenticeship as a technical product designer this summer with a final examination at the IHK. It was also a successful choice, as his good marks during his apprenticeship earned him a further education scholarship from the Foundation for the Promotion of Gifted Students in Vocational Education (SBB).
Felix Smola wanted to do something practical after leaving school, ideally in the field of event technology. A careers adviser suggested he try a dual study programme, so he began an apprenticeship whilst studying mechanical engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics at HSRW. “That was exactly the right choice,” says the 20-year-old, who completed his apprenticeship as a technical product designer this summer with a final examination at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It was also a successful choice because, thanks to his good grades during his apprenticeship, he was awarded a further education scholarship from the Foundation for the Promotion of Gifted Students in Vocational Education (SBB).
For two years, Felix Smola followed a dual study programme; for him, this meant spending three days a week at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics as an apprentice and two days as a student attending lectures and seminars on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering. “It can be quite demanding at times,” says Felix, but otherwise he sees many advantages in the dual study programme: “As an apprentice, I learnt many things that I didn’t learnt during my degree, and vice versa.” Added to this is the closer contact with the lecturers, for whom, as an apprentice, he was allowed to develop and set up the teaching stations, for example.
Since the summer, Felix Smola could have been a full-time student, but he cannot quite let go of the practical work: shortly after completing his apprenticeship, he took up a part-time post as a technical product designer at the faculty. He would also like to use his further training grant to improve his practical skills, such as milling.
By the way: anyone else who’d like to undertake a dual study programme and complete their apprenticeship at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics can still apply here until 5 October! Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics are available as dual programmes; the apprenticeship is shortened to two years and dual students are exempt from attending vocational school.
