Interview: Mag. Natascha-Simone Paul
Gaining Experience
Lisa Fraunschiel on Practice, Responsibility, and Growth
Lisa Fraunschiel is a Civil Engineering student at TU Wien and is currently transitioning from her Bachelor’s to her Master’s degree. As part of the talente.praktikum (talent internship), she completed internships at AFRY Austria and Wiener Linien. Her experiences demonstrate how hands-on projects, new work environments, and personal responsibility can strengthen both personal development and professional orientation.
Why did you decide to do the talente.praktikum?
The talente.praktikum represents a special opportunity for me to develop both professionally and personally. During the application process, AFRY and Wiener Linien became particularly interesting to me because their projects covered exactly those key areas that motivated me to consciously step out of my comfort zone.
What surprised you most during your internships?
I was positively surprised by how dedicated both companies were in designing and managing the internships. Within a short time, I was able to gain comprehensive insights into different departments while actively contributing to project implementation.
A Defining Moment in Practice
My time in Kaprun at the Limberg III pumped-storage power plant was particularly defining. Working on a construction site in the high mountains, approximately 300 kilometers from home, challenged me both professionally and personally. I learned to quickly integrate into a well-established team and understand complex processes.
How did you stay grounded in challenging moments?
In demanding situations, it was important to me to stay calm and not act prematurely. I approached tasks in a structured way and consciously sought exchange with more experienced colleagues to be able to make well-founded decisions.
Which future skills are you taking away from this time?
I learned to think in a practice-oriented way, prioritize tasks effectively, and take on responsibility, even as a newcomer. Personally, I gained self-confidence and learned to communicate clearly. Commitment and reliability became especially important to me in everyday professional life.
What would you advise students who are considering a talente.praktikum?
I would recommend everyone to take this chance. Those who show initiative and signal interest can not only gather valuable expertise but also grow personally and establish new contacts.
My Greatest Learnings
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Learning also means asking questions.
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Challenges strengthen independence.
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Practice means theory becomes tangible.
Kurzprofil
Lisa Fraunschiel
Alter: 26
Studium: Bauingenieurwesen und Bauingenieurwissenschaften
Studienphase: Übergang vom Bachelor- zum Masterstudium
talente.praktikum bei: AFRY Austria GmbH, Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG, Karriereziel: Projektmanagerin für nachhaltige Großprojekte im Bauwesen