Going the extra mile

Studying building protection while already working

Lars Altmann – Project Engineer, Construction Supervision at Inros Lackner in Rostock

What motivated you to take up part-time studies alongside your work as a project engineer, and how did you choose your degree course?
I'm very fortunate that my work supervisor is also happy to help me as a mentor. A master's degree was always a goal of mine, but the double burden – both financially and in terms of time – initially put me off. However, at the suggestion of my supervisor, the company management offered to support me in both areas. He also directly encouraged me to take this step, which really helped me to make the decision.

The building protection degree program suits my career path perfectly. If I perform well and continue to expand my knowledge through further training or education, I will later have the opportunity, like my supervisor, to work as an authorised expert – a professional development that is already within reach. 

Balancing work, study and private life – how do you manage that in everyday life?
I work in construction supervision. Our work is very much dependent on the progress of the construction site – during quieter periods, I can devote more time to my studies. I'm also allowed to spend part of my workday studying. I don't know if it would be possible without this arrangement. It certainly wouldn't be possible without my family's support and consideration, especially during exam periods. Being able to use my office as a study space outside of working hours is also a greater help than I initially anticipated. Nevertheless, some weekends have to be devoted to books, learning and study exercises, leaving little time to relax. It's definitely an added burden, but I hope this "extra mile" will pay off.

What new perspectives or insights from your studies have you already been able to incorporate into your daily project work?
The study program has quite a scientific, academic focus and is not so practice-oriented – and this affects the way you view project work. You develop a different approach, structuring larger topics better and managing them more efficiently.

Instead of just following technical rules, you learn about the principles and fundamentals on which they are based such as standards, technical data sheets and industry specifications.

This helps enormously in evaluating risks and preventing problems during project planning and implementation, enabling the work to be carried out successfully. But even when problems arise, it is important to understand why some are more serious than others. What happens when certain specifications and standards are disregarded? These are precisely the questions that shape our everyday work. For me, therefore, the course is a very sensible and practical addition to my qualifications.