When I think about all the things I have already experienced with Nagra, I am proud of what we achieved on 19th November 2024. Of course, we had already reached several milestones in the past, but actually submitting the general licence applications was on another level. With this, we truly moored our project and were able to do so on time.
Why does this mean so much to me? When I started out at Nagra, we were still considering six potential siting regions for a deep geological repository. Regional participation was in its infancy and schedules were constantly being revised. For this reason, the general licence applications should not be taken for granted. I am proud that I was able to help shape this moment.
Uschi Züger-Fankhauser
completed a commercial apprenticeship and then roamed for a few years, as she says herself. She eventually settled down at Nagra – and puts her heart and soul into her job as an assistant. She is very close to her family and likes to spend her free time in the garden, with a book or with her cat.
3 months turned into 15 years
At first, I had no idea what Nagra even did. I had applied for a position that was advertised as a temporary solution for three to six months. Well, that was 15 years ago. I have learned a lot during my time at Nagra – both professionally and personally. I always say that Nagra and I have grown up together.
Assistant is exactly what I want to be. I realised this during my farewell interview at a company before my time at Nagra, where I was told: ‘You’re not a secretary, you’re an assistant. You must continue along this path.’ That is exactly what I did and today, it is clear to me: being an assistant is truly my vocation. I see myself as a central hub from where I coordinate processes and support my team. This includes acting quickly, setting clear priorities and keeping a cool head in hectic situations. My structured routine helps me to stay calm.
Caring for animals – and for a safe future
2024 was a very challenging year as it was dominated by an intense workload and tight schedules. Together, however, we achieved our objectives. I think it is important that we celebrate our successes – within our team, for example, we celebrated every report we completed for the general licence applications.
I work in Nagra’s most exciting department: we have been carrying out major projects in the field since I first joined. Now, things are getting real and we are working towards a construction licence application. We face new and interesting challenges every day. Changing departments within Nagra has never been an issue for me in all these years, as I never get bored. Animals and the environment are very close to my heart, which is why I take a particular interest in our field investigations. The deep borehole campaign was also very exciting. We are now in a period of change. Embracing it will not always be easy. However, while routine has its advantages, it won’t get us anywhere if we are unwilling to adapt.
I find my job fulfilling because it is meaningful. I am firmly convinced that what we are doing here is extremely important. Nagra is not concerned with short-term profits, but with providing a safe future for many generations to come. That motivates me.
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