This summer, it’s our pleasure to present the people who shaped the PostDoc Office because they were around in 2022.
Today: Isabella Manago. We had a great experience with German studies scholar Isabella when she supported our „postdocs interview alumni“ webinars. She interviewed alumna Helga Müllneritsch about her career in Sweden. Isabella herself thankfully has not gone to Sweden, but is still here!
Where did you start your Uni Graz career and where are you today?
I am a university assistant at the Institute of German Studies in the Department of Medieval Studies and my research and teaching focus on medieval language and literature and its reception in popular contemporary literature like Fantasy-Novels.
In 2022 I was already working as a research assistant (post-doc) for Prof Dr Julia Zimmermann at the Institute of German Studies.
What is your advice on how to make good career decisions and be satisfied in your work life?
First of all, I would recommend allowing yourself - even if it can seem frustrating at first - to constantly renegotiate and reconsider everything. Wishes, needs and life situations can change and general attitudes towards the job or certain aspects of the job can also change. I have found it helpful to reflect on my own strengths and motivations time and again and to talk about them openly with colleagues. Otherwise, it helps me above all to maintain social relationships: Family and friendships - and the dialogue with them about my work - are key resources for me.
What's a memory of University of Graz that stands out in your mind?
I have very fond memories of various events organised by the PostDoc Office, such as eating pizza or other forms of get-togethers and also events like the Biblio-Night. But I also have fond memories of the summer and Christmas parties, Maroni-Feste etc. organised by the IG (student representatives) or the Institut of German Studies and dinners with colleagues after interesting guest lectures. Apart from that, the university cafés and the Zinzendorfgasse are among my favourite places on campus, because they're great places to meet up and talk with colleagues for lunch or a cafe and you can also spontaneously get to know nice new people or unexpectedly bump into old acquaintances. You can be surprised at how much work is not done at your desk and how many good ideas you come up with when exchanging ideas and talking to the many smart people at the University of Graz.
Thank you so much for the interview, Isabella!
Questions: Johanna Stadlbauer, RCC, July 7, 2025. Picture credit: Isabella Manago, privat.
Full series: postdoc.uni-graz.at/de/neuigkeiten/where-are-they-now/