Anna joined EBW in 2012 and stayed for three years. She worked in different areas of asset management covering topics from non-availibty to life-ycle costing. Having gained experience in a number of projects with SBB, it was only natural that she would eventually join SBB Infrastructure’s track asset management team. in 2017, however, she finished her PhD on sustainable infrastructure financing and is now head of technology at SBB.
When you think back to your time at the institute – what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
When I look back on that time, what I remember most of all are the discussions and exchanges I had with my colleagues. I always really enjoyed discussing theoretical concepts together and finding out whether they led to new insights.
But the trip to Sweden and Norway will always remain unforgettable for me. Being able to go on a trip like that as a team and take away those impressions of the heavy-haul railway and the mine in Kiruna was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.
What was the reason for starting at the EBW? Did it live up to your expectations?
The reason I chose to start at the EBW was the prospect of exploring a wide range of topics, being able to learn new things and working with students. Yes, the only limit to my desire to learn new things was the fact that time is not infinite. I fondly look back on the time when, full of curiosity, I pored over all sorts of data sets and so much was still so new to me.
How did what you learnt during your degree and at the institute help you when you started your career and in your subsequent career?
On the one hand, my work at the institute laid the foundations for my specialist knowledge. Thanks to this expertise, I had a smooth start to my career at SBB and I still benefit from this knowledge today. The specialist knowledge I acquired whilst working on my PhD still helps me today when constructing arguments. A PhD allows you to acquire such specialised knowledge that doesn’t become outdated quickly and always remains a unique selling point.
On the other hand, I was also able to gain a great deal on a personal and human level during that time. Even after more than 10 years, I still enjoy visiting the institute and look back fondly on that exciting period.
Are you still in touch with your former colleagues? Professionally or privately?
Actually, I’ve managed to stay in touch with a few people both professionally and privately, which isn’t something to be taken for granted, as I now live in Switzerland.
Do you have any advice for current PhD students at the EBW?
Be curious and make the most of opportunities to explore and immerse yourselves in the fascinating world of railways. Once you’ve dived in, you’ll never get bored and you can spend a whole lifetime continuing to learn.
