"It's definitely worth it!"

You previously worked as a rope access technician, a forester, and an aviation assistant. What prompted you to strike out on a new path?

Lukas Maise: I’m convinced that vocational training after completing compulsory schooling is an important foundation. After earning my technical high school diploma, my family’s connection to forestry led me into this industry, where I gained diverse experience over ten years and graduated from master craftsman school in 2024. Since no reliable career prospects emerged afterward and I was concerned about professional development, career advancement, and the long-term balance between work, family, and health, I decided - after much consideration - to pursue a technical degree to expand my career opportunities in a rapidly changing job market and to further my passion for technology.  

What experiences from these jobs can you bring to your studies today?

Lukas: It’s a long list; much of it happens unnoticed on the side. Certainly a lot of mechanical and technical understanding of interrelationships and processes from working with large, heavy - but also “small” - machines and tools. Teamwork was always the be-all and end-all: every day, under a wide variety of conditions, and in every conceivable situation. This fostered adaptability and pragmatism, which have already helped solve quite a few problems. My time as an instructor was particularly valuable: I’ve learned to professionally convey the current state of Engineering and Technology and to regularly update my knowledge through continuing education. It’s great that I can already apply many concepts and topics to specific applications or my own experiences even while I’m still in class.

What advice would you give to people who, after several years in the workforce, are thinking about a career change? 

Lukas: “Don’t wait so long… just do it!” Sounds like a cliché, just like “Better late than never.” But one thing is certain: It’s definitely worth it! Simply looking beyond your own horizons can make all the difference and perhaps provide new inspiration. Plus, in the end, you don’t just walk away with another degree, but also great connections, diverse opportunities, and new ideas. And your “old” knowledge isn’t lost or wasted—quite the opposite: it forms the foundation, which is then expanded and supplemented.   

What do you remember most about your first year at FHV?

Lukas: What really stands out in my memory is that we were given a great deal of trust right from the start - especially when it came to working in the laboratories - and we quickly had the opportunity to launch projects on our own. Especially while I was preparing to start my studies, as I worked my way through the math work placement—a recommended preparatory course to make the transition easier - I realized, at times with a sense of despair, how I’d become a bookworm.   

How do you experience the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical application?

Lukas: I find the opportunities and offerings to be very diverse and incredibly useful for applying what I’ve learned in practice. Personally, I experience this most of all in the modern laboratories and through the projects that start anew every semester and also give us the opportunity to contribute our own ideas. Thanks to the way the program is structured, experienced laboratory technicians are usually nearby and happy to take time for us, whether as a small group or individually.

In which direction would you like to pursue your career, and is there already a specific area of Mechatronics that particularly interests you?

Lukas: Yes, definitely! I could definitely see myself pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering, modern manufacturing, and automation. I also find the electrification of commercial vehicles - and the development of semi-autonomous systems - exciting in general. Thanks to my time as a flight attendant and my several years of experience working with helicopters, I’m also passionate about many areas of aerospace engineering.  

Are you also interested in a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics? Then find out more here!