Instead of a company internship, you can get to know the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) for two weeks - this is possible with the “mission:me” orientation program, which the university has been offering since 2016. After a long Corona break, it took place again for the first time shortly before the start of the summer holidays - and with 110 applications and 80 participants, it eclipsed all previous rounds. “The interest in scientific and technical courses is encouragingly high,” says organizer Julius Jay Butler from the Central Student Advisory Service.
High score like in a video game
The program is aimed at interested high school students in the region. But it is more than just a “sneak peek” at lectures and laboratories; it relies on game-based elements – the so-called missions. The THM has come up with a wide range of activities with specialist departments and central facilities. “Participants receive points and awards for each activity,” explains Butler. A high score, like in a video game, allowed direct comparison with the other “fellow players”.
At the end, well over half said that the program helped them to solidify their choice of study.
“This approach is intended to encourage active participation,” says Butler. Because it was not mandatory to undertake all activities, the Gießen and Friedberg locations could be explored according to one's own interests. Teamwork, communication and critical thinking stimulated tasks that could not be solved alone. More than 30 experienced students provided support.
The difficulty of the almost 40 tasks varied - from “Take a selfie in front of the student advisor” to “Visit Vice President Prof. Dr. “Katja Specht”. Others dealt with 15 different courses of study or asked for interviews with students. Around two thirds of the participants were young women, who are still underrepresented in many THM degree programs. “Well over half said at the end that the program helped them to solidify their choice of study,” says Julius Jay Butler, drawing a positive conclusion. And: 98 percent want to recommend “mission:me” to others.