Name: Viktoria Wiebe
At elan since: 7/2022
Role(s): Software Developer
What originally brought you to elan e.V., and what has motivated you to keep working here for almost four years?
Before I joined elan e.V., I worked as a student assistant at virtUOS at the University of Osnabrück. Since elan e.V. and virtUOS have long collaborated closely, I was already in contact with several elan e.V. staff members at the time, and in 2022 I was offered a job there. I didn’t have to think twice – I already knew the friendly team, the collaborative atmosphere, and had a good idea of what the work would involve – so I accepted the offer. Even though it’s been almost four years now, I can honestly say that it is primarily the education-related and meaningful work that motivates me to stay, helping to support and advance digital teaching. The values represented here also align closely with my personal values – a focus on open source, a respectful and collaborative environment, mutual trust, and transparency; you don’t often find all of that together in the workplace.
How would you describe your role at elan e.V., and what are the typical tasks or interactions with colleagues that shape your workday?
My role is currently undergoing something of a metamorphosis: previously, I was mostly involved as a software developer in the development of Stud.IP and Stud.IP plugins, for example the Courseware, working primarily within my team. Going forward, I will be involved in hosting learning management systems and everything surrounding them, and I am accordingly developing my skills. Collaboration and interaction with other teams are now becoming more central. Because of this, I don’t really have a “typical” workday at the moment – but I enjoy the variety and the greater exchange with other teams, and I’m excited to be able to work in these relatively new areas for me – I can almost choose what I want to work on.
What unusual “superpower” do you bring to the team?
I wouldn’t exactly call it a “superpower,” but the thing that comes to mind is probably my degree in psychology – which, apparently, is rather unusual among IT people 😀. Since I actually completed my psychology studies, I was able to take away a lot of knowledge and insights, and I don’t regret at all that I ended up in a different field. Some areas of psychology are directly applicable, like human–computer interaction, but other areas are useful for all sorts of aspects of work – after all, psychology is the study of human behaviour and experience, and in digital teaching it’s certainly worthwhile to take a closer look, especially regarding the effectiveness of what we do.
What are you currently working on that excites you the most?
I’m particularly excited about my new tasks in the hosting area. As we are currently building and expanding this area for learning management systems, there is still plenty of room to shape things. Learning something new is always fun, and it serves a good purpose for elan e.V. as well, since it allows us to support our clients more effectively and contributes to our future funding.
What is your personal recipe for recharging energy and creativity after intense work phases?
Breaks! Especially after intense work periods, short breaks that allow you to relax and mentally reset – sometimes with a cup of tea or coffee – are very helpful for me. Perhaps this is my inner psychologist speaking again, because taking structured breaks is actually scientifically supported and partly based on findings from cognitive psychology.
Which three things are essential in your daily routine?
A cup of coffee or tea at my desk to start the workday has long been a must for me. Other things aren’t really necessary – I’m quite modest in that regard.
What are your favourite activities after work?
Video games, watching films and series, crocheting, knitting, reading, and writing stories are among my favourites. I haven’t pursued some of these hobbies for a while, but I’m planning to get back to them soon!
What fascinates you personally about open source, and why do you think it’s so valuable for our work in digital teaching?
I’ve always been fascinated by the community aspect of open source and the fundamental idea that anyone can contribute – that people from all over the world come together to work on something collaboratively, which is then freely available to everyone. Our work is supported by many people who are not employed by or working for us. This is a huge enrichment for everyone, both for us and for our clients. I also appreciate the transparency – since the code is freely available, anyone can review and understand it. Open source simply fits perfectly with the ethos of teaching, where knowledge and skills are also shared.
Briefly describe the significance of open source in your professional career.
Open source projects are our daily bread – in my team, we work exclusively on open source learning management systems, adapting them via plugins and customising them for clients to meet their specific requirements. Beyond that, open source projects, especially software, have always been very important to me. They spared me the cost of expensive licences when I had little money. Without this open source software, I might not have been able to complete my studies.
If you had one “open source wish” – what would you implement immediately?
A tricky question, but I think I would wish for effective government support for open source projects.
Coffee or tea? Both
Favourite emoji? 🙈
Describe your work style in three words: relaxed, perfectionist, varied
Prefer diving into code or brainstorming in a team workshop? Diving into code!
Which motto (or quote) motivates you daily? I don’t really have one, but there’s a quote I like a lot that serves as a motto: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." – attributed to Mark Twain.
