INTERVIEW WITH SOFIA HAGMAN
How was your overall experience?
My overall experience as an intern at Fraunhofer IPA was very positive and rewarding. I had the opportunity to dive into the world of research and development, particularly in the field of inkjet technology. The internship allowed me to experience how research projects are carried out in a professional environment and how theoretical knowledge can be applied to practical challenges. I especially enjoyed working independently on my own project while also receiving guidance and feedback from experienced colleagues. Overall, the internship was an enriching experience that contributed greatly to my professional and personal development.
What were your tasks?
My tasks covered a wide range of laboratory and research activities. I performed experiments involving material characterisation, including rheological measurements and material compatibility tests. I also worked with experimental setups, which involved working with and modifying them, testing device performance, and developing suitable workflows.
Another important part of my work was documenting, evaluating, and presenting experimental results. Based on the findings, I helped determine the next steps of the project. In addition, I conducted literature research on specific topics related to inkjet systems to support the experimental work and improve my understanding.
What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was documenting my experiments and findings in a way that was both concise and detailed enough to retain all important information. At the beginning, I sometimes found it difficult to decide which details were essential and how to structure my documentation clearly. As the internship progressed, I improved through practical experience, regular feedback, and guidance from my colleagues. I gradually learned how to present results more effectively and organise information more systematically. Although there is still room for improvement, the experience significantly strengthened my technical documentation and scientific communication skills.
What skills or experiences did you gain that have helped you since?
During my internship, I developed several skills that have continued to help me. My communication with colleagues improved significantly, especially when discussing technical topics, presenting my findings, interpreting results, and suggesting possible next steps. Working on my own project also strengthened my independence, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in making decisions. Furthermore, the internship gave me the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained during my studies at HdM to real research and development tasks. This experience helped me better understand the connection between academic knowledge and professional work.
What surprised you most about the internship?
What surprised me most was realising that my own ideas and interpretations could make a valuable contribution to the project. At first, I expected that, as an intern, I would mainly follow instructions and carry out predefined tasks. However, I was encouraged to think independently when analysing experimental results and to develop my own explanations and suggestions for the next steps. It was rewarding to see that my perspective could contribute to discussions and influence the direction of the work. This experience increased my confidence in my technical knowledge and showed me the value of independent thinking in research.