We spoke with Lucie Stamm, Marketing Communications Manager at Miltenyi Biotec (Germany), about a typical day in her life for International Women’s Day. She gives insight into the best and worst parts of her job, how she unwinds after work and discusses which women in science inspired her.

What time does your alarm go off?

My alarm goes off between 6:30–7:15, depending on whether I am going into the office or working remotely. However, I enjoy snoozing my alarm before I finally get up to make my first coffee.

What is your typical start to the day?

My typical day starts with coffee and a small breakfast before heading to the office or beginning work from home. First, I check my e-mails and messages before I begin some light tasks, as I am more productive in the afternoon. I also attend meetings to discuss marketing campaigns, new activities or special questions from our customers regarding products or applications of my portfolio. I like to share my lunchbreak with my colleagues, which is always refreshing and entertaining. In the afternoons, I focus on heavier tasks such as the development of new projects.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the fact that it is very diverse and allows me to use my strengths to shape the direction of my tasks. While there are tasks that must be completed, I also have the freedom to come up with new ideas to market the portfolio I am responsible for and to improve certain processes. This also applies to my colleagues, which in the end makes our teamwork lively and creative.

What is the worst part of your job?

The worst part of my job is probably having to conduct meetings digitally. Since the COVID-19 pandemic most meetings happen digitally, often with the cameras turned off so the bandwidth capacity does not get overstrained. I miss the personal interaction and reading the gestures and body language of my colleagues, which makes in-person meetings more vivid and encourages creative input. During digital meetings, it is quite a challenge to find the perfect time to jump in with a question or comment, and this still leads to the awkward moments we are all familiar with.

How do you unwind after work?

After work, I enjoy staying active by working out, boxing or going for a walk. In spring and summer me and some friends rent a field where we grow our own vegetables. It is great to spend some time gardening outside, watching the plants grow and then trying out new recipes using the produce. This is the perfect balance to an office-based job where you mostly work digitally; from time to time it is gratifying to hold the fruits of your labour in your hands.

How did you get into this industry?

During my PhD I was enrolled at a graduate school which included yearly career training. I was asked quite early what I would like to do after completing my PhD and this helped me to focus on what I enjoy and what my strengths are. I realized that I enjoy explaining scientific facts as well as preparing appealing schemes and presentations for my research projects, so I delved deeper into science communication. I had the chance to write a few articles for Labtimes and Laborjournal, and supported the open-door day of our institute during which I gained some PR experience. All of these small actions have helped me to get a better idea of my strengths and extend my professional network to get my first industry job as Marketing Communications Manager at Miltenyi Biotec.

Is there a female scientist who inspired you?

I think there were many female scientists I got to know during my studies who inspired me. To me, these numerous real-life encounters meant more than famous female scientists who I have never met, because they gave me the confidence to know that it is very normal and natural to be a female scientist.