From a job in research to the classroom

Since September, he has been teaching physics and chemistry at a grammar school in Burgenland, making him one of xxx so-called career changers who have started working in Austrian schools this academic year.

And why? His interest in sustainability was first sparked by one of his teachers. Young Philipp became increasingly interested in environmental and climate protection, and in the question of how knowledge and technology can make a difference in society.

He later studied at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences – BOKU in Vienna, as well as at the Technical University of Munich as part of a double-degree programme, focusing on environmental and energy issues. He went on to complete the Master’s Degree Programme in Building Technology and Building Management at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland in Pinkafeld to further expand his technical knowledge. He describes his time at Austria’s leading centre for training building technology engineers as a crucial step in his professional and personal development. “My previous studies were quite broad in scope. At work, I often felt I wasn’t on a level with the technicians. Studying at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland not only gave me technical know-how, but also confidence in this area.”

Professionally, he most recently worked as an Innovation Manager at Burgenland Energie; prior to that, he taught at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences and was employed by Forschung Burgenland and a non-university research institute. At the same time, he was active as a science ambassador for the OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation – where he gained experience running workshops with a younger audience.

“I’ve always been searching for meaning and a sense of impact, and I’ve always wanted to keep developing myself,” says Philipp Novakovits, describing his motivation. At some point, therefore, he asked himself a different question: not “What job title do I want to have in five years’ time?”, but “What do I actually want to be doing all day?”

It became clear to him that he wanted to work more with people and less with computers, to make complex things understandable, and to inspire young people to take an interest in the natural sciences. “For me, school is the place where my interests, my strengths and this desire to make a difference all come together.”

He looks back on his time at the University of Applied Sciences and Research Burgenland with great gratitude.

He is starting his new job full of curiosity and enthusiasm. “As a teacher, I am the architect of a learning environment and will strive to ensure that it is designed in such a way that everyone can learn.” He sees the natural sciences as a playground for developing underlying skills such as careful observation and critical questioning.