Today 8 March is International Women's Day. One question that keeps coming up on this day in particular is why more women are not working in MINT professions (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) and why it is not possible to get more girls enthusiastic about them. We ask our colleague, graduate mathematician Daniela Eiche, a few questions:

You work as a mathematician at Haas Schleifmaschinen. What are your main tasks?

The development and implementation of grinding paths, mainly for the processing of parting lines. In addition, we provide support for our application technology and troubleshooting in the software

What brought you to mathematics?

The "Girls-Day" of the FH, where I studied then. Girls can have a look at the FH and get an insight into the technical professions. That's what my school organized back then. This made me aware of the degree programme at all, and since math was always very easy for me in school, that was the first decision.

How do you feel as a woman in a male-dominated environment?

Basically, I get along very well with it, but it depends on the person facing you. Most people here don't treat you any differently from a man. For those who do, you either have to get respect or live with it. Whereby it is no different with a man. Something like this probably only happens to me more often and most people notice relatively quickly that they don't get far with this attitude. And as a woman you can also ask someone to loosen a screw or something like that, a man would be laughed at. Otherwise I get along very well: "stupid sayings" are better for me than "bitchiness" among women.

How can you get girls interested in MINT jobs?

The schools are clearly in demand here, see above.

What do you particularly appreciate about your work at Haas Schleifmaschinen?

Very interesting and varied tasks and the work colleagues.

Thank you so much for the interview.