Three-part online event series for First-Generation Students

Being the First in Your Family to Earn a Ph.D.: Challenges and Opportunities with Katja Urbatsch, founder and CEO of Arbeiterkind.de, as well as two volunteers from the community who are at different stages of their doctoral studies

Moderation: Anika Werner, Arbeiterkind.de

30.09.2026

18:00-19.30 h

online 

Pursuing a Ph.D. with renewed strength and a clear sense of one’s own life story

with Anika Werner, Arbeiterkind.de

05.11.2026

18:00-19.30 

online 

Building and Utilizing Sustainable Networks

The decision to pursue a Ph.D. is just as closely tied to social background as the decision to go to college—only 2 out of 100 students without academic role models go on to earn a Ph.D. after graduation. And even when the courageous decision to pursue a Ph.D. is made, the process is often difficult due to a lack of networks and experience, as well as self-doubt. With our online series “Being the First to Earn a Doctorate,” we aim to address exactly that. For the fifth time, the University Office for Equal Opportunities is offering the online series in collaboration with the Graduate Academy and ArbeiterKind.de.

In our experience, first-generation students often lack academic contacts that could help them get started on a doctoral project. That’s why, in the third and final part of the online series, we’re focusing on the topic of networking—we invite you to join us and look forward to sharing numerous practical tips on how you can build, utilize, and maintain meaningful connections.