Her journey there began with a degree in social work at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, which was preceded by a one-year sabbatical. During this time, she wanted to make sure she was making the right decision for her future and completed various unpaid internships in elementary education, teaching and caring professions. She soon realised that this was not the right thing for her. Finally, she was recommended to study social work and decided to enrol at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland in Eisenstadt.

The degree programme presented her with great challenges.

The time was also intensive, as she worked 20 to 25 hours a week at the Red Cross alongside her full-time studies and often travelled to the university straight after night duty without sleep.

"Anyone who masters this knows that they really want it," she says. "Studying for a second degree, with a family and financial commitments, often sounds easier than it is. So I was all the happier to pass the Bachelor's examination on my first attempt."

She found the legal content and the basics of socio-material security, which she now uses every day in her job, particularly valuable during her studies. She also greatly appreciated the training in communication techniques and the internships. It was through one of these internships that she got to know the Mödling Women's Refuge. When the manager there left, she was immediately offered the position - and Simone Schweiger took the plunge into the deep end. "I had a lot of management experience, but I was a complete newcomer to social work."

She was able to quickly expand her professional network with the support of her lecturers at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences.

The Mödling women's refuge is the second largest in Lower Austria and can accommodate ten women and up to eleven children. Six members of staff support the residents and their children in regaining their independence after domestic violence. This includes assistance with debt settlement, job searches, divorce and probation conditions. Close cooperation with the adult representation and the Möwe child protection centre, which organises therapy services for the children, is also part of the daily work. "The women's refuge covers all areas of social work," she says enthusiastically.

In addition to her duties as a social worker, Simone Schweiger attends appointments with political representatives, is responsible for the budget and organises all the public relations work.

Contact and dialogue with people is essential for Simone Schweiger, as is cooperation with political functionaries. "I don't shy away from conflict - on the contrary, I actively tackle it, because that's the only way to bring about change. "I like to try out new things, such as employing a male trainee social worker as an intern at the women's refuge. This experience was very enriching for the entire team as well as for the residents in the centre and was scientifically monitored."

Her appeal: "More cooperation with politicians, because only they can create the necessary framework conditions - but with the involvement of the expertise and experience of social work professionals. A first step has been taken, but that is far from enough."