Face of the LIB: Johanna Hollensteiner

How does working at the LIB differ from your previous experiences?

For me, it is a challenge to realise our ideas and events to the best of our ability: We only have limited capacity when it comes to room sizes and have to try and make the most of what the Zoological Museum has to offer. The venue is of course designed for visitors to the exhibition - for events with catering and a larger audience, we have to make the best possible use of the space.

What brought you to the LIB?

The topic of biodiversity. My mum studied biology, so I developed an affinity for the subject as a child. I wanted a change from my previous day-to-day agency work: instead of always selling things or liaising with clients, I wanted to use my job to get involved in education.

What does nature mean to you personally? Do you have a favourite place in nature?

We've been travelling to Sweden for as long as I can remember. Our family has a house there in the middle of the forest and close to the sea. I associate nature very strongly with my childhood - with the time I spent with my family. Öland is my absolute favourite spot in nature.

What are the highlights of your day-to-day work?

I find the collections totally exciting! As an employee at the LIB, I get an insight into the 10 million objects in the collection that I would never have had from the outside. I only started a few months ago and unfortunately haven't been able to see all the collections yet. But so far I have found the variety of specimens quite amazing - especially the fish and the deep-sea isopods.

Crabs, fish, butterflies: Who has your own personal affection and why?

My favourite animal is the octopus. Of course, also because it's clever and super flexible, but above all because it's the heraldic animal of our St Pauli fan group - the cephalopods.

Budget doesn't matter: what dream event would you like to realise?

I love the Oscars. The big American film award was the reason why I became an event organiser. So if money is no object and all other laws of logic are suspended, then I would bring the Oscars to the LIB and fulfil my childhood dream. To stay within the thematic framework, I would like to organise an open day for the LIB, where there are free offers that help to bring people closer to nature. From morning to night, everyone - regardless of age or origin - could explore biodiversity with us. From children's activities in the morning to a silent headphone party at night, there is something going on all the time.

What would you have become if events hadn't worked out?

My original plan was to become either a doctor or a teacher. When I finished school back then, there wasn't yet the opportunity to train as an event manager in northern Germany. Even then, I really wanted to get into the industry. Due to a lack of training places, I followed my parents' advice to "do something sensible" and started studying to become a teacher. Later on, I finally decided to pursue the career path I actually wanted to. Because events are and were my real passion.

What advice would you give to young people at the start of their career?

To do what they love! It's best to turn your hobby into a career. Never do something that you absolutely don't enjoy. It should be something that you always enjoy. Even within my own industry, there are things I wouldn't like to do. Personally, it is also important to me that I stand behind the topics that I represent in the LIB in my private life. I am prepared to work at sometimes unusual times when many of my colleagues are off work. I'm happy to do this as long as I feel I'm doing something good at the same time.

Which area of the LIB is particularly close to your heart?

I work at the LIB within the Centre for Knowledge Transfer. The entire work of the Education and Communication department is very close to my heart. We work hard to strengthen the image of the LIB to the outside world and to create a positive perception in people's minds. Be it on the website or in social networks, but also on site at the museum during guided tours or at events, we have the opportunity to bring the world of biodiversity to life.

JOHANNA HOLLENSTEINER trained as an event organiser and brings 14 years of experience from an agency environment to the LIB. Hockey is her hobby, FC St Pauli her passion. Born in Lübeck, she has lived in Hamburg for 16 years.