On Friday, the IMPRS-APS hosted its Alumni Meeting at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, bringing together the older generations of graduates with the current crop of doctoral candidates. The gathering provided a unique chance for the alumni to reconnect and share their experiences with the next generation.
Nine out of the thirteen alumni present delivered insightful presentations, showcasing the diverse paths they had taken after graduation. From careers that built directly on their doctoral research to those that took them in entirely new directions, the alumni’s journeys were as varied as they were inspiring. Gaia Barbiero, Katinka von Grafenstein, Daniel Rivas, Patrick Heissler, Frederik Süßmann, Wolfram Helml, Dominik Ehberger, Jindrich Krcmar, and Sebastian Thomas each shared their stories, highlighting the different routes to success and the opportunities that had arisen along the way. Their experiences spanned a range of time frames, from just last year to thirteen years ago.
However, the presentations were not solely focused on career paths. The alumni also reminisced about their time at IMPRS-APS, sharing nostalgic moments and photos that brought back fond memories. They also offered words of encouragement and advice to the current doctoral candidates, like emphasizing the importance of finding a meaningful metric, connecting and networking, enjoying their work, and many more.
The presentations were structured in rounds of three, with each block followed by a panel discussion that tackled a range of topics, from the differences between academia and industry to the impact of AI on jobs to how to always stay motivated.
In addition, coffee breaks and dinner gave plenty of opportunities to reconnect and build new connections. A special highlight for many of the alumni was the presence of Monika Wild, a long-time cornerstone of the IMPRS-APS.
After dinner, the alumni also had the opportunity to visit the LEX laboratories and learn about the current research being conducted at attoworld. It was a truly memorable reunion that highlighted the many opportunities that can open up after doctoral research
Pictures: Nina Beier, Khrystyna Mekhonoshyna
