“Now, I Am a Better Version of Myself”

It was a very long way for Pranjal Ranka from her place of birth, Bhilwara in India, to her graduation at the HECTOR School in Karlsruhe. Studies at a university in Europe had seemed far away, despite here excellent school grades in India. Today, however, she is working as a software developer at Bruker Biospin, a company manufacturing analytical instruments in Rheinstetten.

Her master’s studies at HECTOR School gave her a major push. “These three years of my life were the most productive I ever had. There were many highs and lows, but I always tried to learn something new and to believe in myself. Now, I am a better version of myself,” she summarizes.

The first big step for her was to leave her birthplace to begin her studies. “In my hometown, mostly men went to work,” she says. Still, she made it to the university. Her first job with the Indian branch of the Addnode company brought her into contact with Europe. She was given the opportunity to work on an international team. “For the first time, I had to deal with people speaking languages other than my mother tongue,” Pranjal Ranka says. Her visit to the headquarters of Addnode in Prague in 2018 opened a door to the world. “I should take the chance and fully experience Europe,” the software developer thought. So she started a detailed search. She came across the HECTOR School, which offered a Master’s program of Information Systems Engineering and Management in the English language. Ranka had to work part-time to pay the tuition. A severe accident messed up her plans, but did not keep her from completing her studies in time.

“My proudest moment was the graduation ceremony of the HECTOR School in June this year. My hard work paid off and in the end I reached my goal.” 

Translation: Maike Schröder

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