M.Sc. Julia Krahl

Ms. Krahl studied Process Engineering at the TU Freiberg. Nowadays she works at Solvay in Brussels. She supports the optimization and further development of bicarbonate production at the European, American and Asian locations of the company.

Motto: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.

Career

Education:	2007 - 2011	Bachelor's degree in process engineering, Freiberg Mining Academy and Technical University
	2010	Scholarship from the "Ernest Solvay Foundation" and the "Lusatian Brown Coal Foundation"
	2010 - 2011	Visiting student, Monash University, Melbourne (Australia)
	2011 - 2013	Master's degree in process engineering, Freiberg Mining Academy and Technical University
	2011 - 2013	grant from RWE Power AG
Doctorate:	-	-
Work:	2013 - 2017	Production Engineer, Solvay, Bernburg
Work:	since 2017	Global Process Engineer, Solvay, Brüssel (Belgien)

I've always been interested in STEM subjects and wanted to help improve climate protection and sustainability. In Process Engineering, I found a subject that provided the perfect basis for this combination. After industrial internships, an internship abroad at Monash University in Melbourne and finally my Master’s degree, I decided to start my career in the industry. As a Process Engineer at Solvay GmbH at the Bernburg plant, I was able to apply and deepen almost all Process Engineering disciplines. In the team with my colleagues, I played a decisive role in the chemical and energetic optimization of the soda process. In 2017 I moved to the technology department of our business unit in Brussels. Here I have the opportunity to get to know the Solvay plants all over the world and to optimize their processes.

Motivation

I work with colleagues from different professional and cultural backgrounds on a daily basis. That makes the work varied and horizon-broadening.

Requirements

I can recommend my job to everyone who is interested in STEM subjects and who has fun solving technical issues. Those who can abstract well will cope with the mostly complex tasks well. If you also want to develop chemical processes in international teams, Solvay is definitely the right address. Personal qualities such as creativity and assertiveness help.

Advice

Find your own interests and build on them. That makes it easy to participate with joy and affects your success. It's important to keep your eyes open and look for opportunities. I really like the saying: "If opportunity doesn‘t knock, build a door", I find it very appropriate. If you take that to heart and keep trying to develop your skills, all doors are open to you.

Challenges

My approach to challenges is to stay calm, take a step back, and look at the problem from a different angle. As a rule, you cannot find the perfect technical solution alone. It is therefore advisable to share your ideas with colleagues at an early stage and develop them further together. It really helps to have a good network with specialist departments in the company as well as external contacts to universities and suppliers.