„At DLR, no woman has to choose between having a family and a career“
Interview: 6 questions, 7 answers
„At DLR, no woman has to choose between having a family and a career“
Elisabeth Wieland
Field of study: Law Now: German Space Agency at DLR
Elisabeth Wieland’s career at DLR began 25 years ago as an administrative clerk. Today, together with a colleague, the lawyer heads the Legal Affairs department of the German Space Agency at DLR. In this interview, she gives us an insight into her work.
Elisabeth, what do you look forward to when coming to work in the morning?
Elisabeth: I look forward to interacting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; from commercial clerks, business economists, physicists, chemists and biologists to aerospace engineers, as well as the tasks from a wide variety of legal fields. Aerospace is unique, exciting and fascinating.
What are you working on at DLR?
Elisabeth: Together with a colleague, I co-manage the department of Legal Affairs. I also provide legal support for projects, in particular contracts and grants from the German space programme.
„Legal work is often perceived as boring. Legal support for space projects is just cool.“
How does your work support the employees and goals of DLR?
Elisabeth: German space activities can only be realised if a legally secure framework is created. Providing legal support for space projects from the initial idea, planning and implementation through to final realisation ensures the legal certainty of the German Space Agency's actions.
A passionate lawyer, Elisabeth Wieland ensures a legally secure framework for space projects.
Diversity in the world of work is an important topic – what experiences have you had and what advantages does diversity bring?
„Diversity means lively dialogue. Every employee has individual strengths that can be utilised to achieve a common goal.“
Elisabeth: In my experience, every employee in a diverse team has individual strengths that can be utilised to achieve a common goal. Diversity means lively dialogue.
What makes DLR an attractive employer for women?
Elisabeth: At DLR, equal rights are the order of the day. No woman should have to choose between family or career, both are compatible. The option to arrange one's working hours and place of work flexibly – for example by working from home, on a part-time basis, flexitime, childcare places and holiday programmes – helps women to reconcile family and career.
For Elisabeth Wieland, providing legal support for space projects is exciting and fascinating, even after 25 years.
The world of work is becoming increasingly fast paced, more complex and more volatile – what helps you to maintain balance?
Elisabeth: I don't have a magic formula. I’m sensitive to the issue and have tried many things over the years. For me, it's important to switch off my work mobile at the end of the working day and during my holidays, and to consciously not be available for work during my free time.
Leave us a final thought.
Elisabeth: Legal work is often perceived as boring. Legal support for space projects is just cool.
