Bielefelder IT-Servicezentrum

"Syntax error, ready."

Ylva Baumann: Platforms & Server Services

"As a primary school pupil, I didn't understand it, but it was always on the screen and I wanted to know why.
This question turned into a hobby that has stayed with me ever since.
To this day, the attraction of finding new questions and answers has remained, and with my retraining as an IT specialist, it became part of my appointment.

My first attempt to "get my foot in the door" for my final internship at BITS at the end of 2020 was still unsuccessful.
In the following two years, I gained practical experience as a system administrator in a medium-sized company in the media and logistics industry. It was worthwhile to continue my application at BITS with the desire for more room to learn new things and expand my own skills.

Since mid-2023, I have been working in the Platforms and Server Services department, specialising in backup. The topic of backup is particularly exciting for me because of the variety of technologies involved.
The number of components that come together both within the backup infrastructure and on the client side to provide the backup service is greater than it might seem at first glance.

Switching to a team that supervises the IT infrastructure for more than 30,000 employees and students was initially a bigger step than I had imagined. But with the support of my new colleagues, it was above all a great opportunity to grow with the challenge.
I also find it really nice that many employees actively organise our get-togethers beyond appointments and meetings in the corridor and regularly invite us to Christmas parties, games evenings and other events.

Finally, I would like to mention something that is particularly important to me personally.

At BITS, inclusion and diversity are not formal, but real and not a means of external presentation, but an expression of mutual respect.
A job interview without the question of how my severe disability affects my work performance was a new and enlightening experience, and the fact that from the first contact until today there has never been a need to explain gender queerness also makes BITS a feel-good place for me."

"Injustice or unequal treatment was never an issue!"

Agnes Plasa: IT multi-project management

"My enthusiasm for information technology has been with me all my life. Even as a small child, I knew that I would never consider any other line of work. BITS has accompanied and sponsored my professional development. Starting with my apprenticeship and continuing with a part-time degree programme in business information systems, all the way to a master's degree programme in "IT Management and Information Systems". Getting everything under one roof was not always easy, but BITS gave me a lot of leeway and flexibility and thus helped to lay the foundation for my current job.

Currently, I support the Vice-?rector for Information Infrastructure and Business Relations as an officer and, with another share of the position, I take care of the management of projects at BITS as a staff position for multi-project management. These are all very diverse areas - which highlight different IT topics from operational to strategic aspects and entail a variety of tasks - which I find particularly exciting! In addition, as training manager, I am jointly responsible for our trainees who, like me at the time, are training to become IT specialists in systems integration.

Equality is very important to me in my role as training manager - whether it's a woman, a man or a diverse person, what counts for me is the individual with all his or her facets and interests. And that's exactly the attitude I experience at BITS - because injustice or unequal treatment has never been an issue. Even my change from the status of a trainee to that of a fully-fledged employee never brought with it any problems of acceptance.

BITS offers an enormous number of opportunities for personal and professional development. Whenever possible, individual development wishes are taken into consideration - no matter what gender you are - I really appreciate BITS for that!"

"The working atmosphere and interactions are always friendly and open to everyone."

Lea-Luisa Reschke: Administration BITS

"After completing my training as an office management assistant, I started working at Bielefeld University's central BITS department in 2022. Today, I am part of a team of three women in the administration of the computer centre. We are the first point of contact for colleagues with personnel, procurement or administrative issues.

My work in the BITS administration includes many tasks that are closely linked to IT issues - an area that was not necessarily part of my training. This includes the procurement of software, hardware and licences. Nevertheless, I took on this challenge with curiosity and enthusiasm. I can always count on the support and explanations of my colleagues when I have technical questions about information technology or specific processes. The team is always understanding and patient, so that I can develop and feel comfortable in this varied working environment.

I immediately felt valued and respected in this predominantly male working environment. I have never experienced discrimination or marginalisation here. The working atmosphere and interactions are always friendly and open to everyone. As part of the BITS team, I am proud to be a woman in the IT industry and to help promote diversity and collaboration. The positive working atmosphere makes me feel comfortable and happy to come to work every day."

"BITS is a place to feel good."

Lisa Voigt: Network & IT Security

"I was already very interested in technology as a child. During my school career, internships and Girls' Day events got me more and more interested in IT. As I wanted to do something practical after school, I decided to train as an IT specialist for system integration at BITS. BITS provided me with constant support during my training. Whether it was the transition into the world of work and the new tasks and responsibilities that came with it, or the preparation for my degree.

After my apprenticeship, I started in the Network & IT Security department. My current tasks include administering our firewalls and setting up and operating a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system.

During my work, I have to deal with many different people within BITS. The people I meet are always friendly and helpful. I really enjoy working with them. Although I am still quite young and new in my position, I am always respected and fully recognised by all my colleagues.

As a woman, I am in the minority, especially in my department. However, this has never played a role in my everyday life. People and their skills are important here. There is a relaxed and often quite humorous atmosphere among colleagues. BITS is a feel-good place, a place where I really enjoy working."