Meet Laura Philipps - our member of the month in May!

Introduction round: Who are you and where are you from?
I'm 24 and from a country that's too often being overlooked: Luxembourg.

What made you come to Berlin?
I moved here for my master's degree at a public policy school back in 2016.

What exactly do you do? What's in the pipeline for the near future?
First off, I thought this question was a pun - double checked - it is not. My work genuinely revolves around a pipeline (the never ending story of Nord Stream 2). I'm working as a freelancer for a german foundation on this specific issue right now. I've been interested in energy policy and energy security mostly in the European realm (gas specifically) for quite a while now and got lucky enough to be able to continue doing what I love in a professional setting for them now.

Since when do you cowork at Office Club Berlin Prenzlauer Berg?
I joined in late January 2019.

What is the benefit of using a coworking space for you?
I kind of slipped into this whole freelancer thing; I didn't graduate university thinking I was going to need a co-working space but was rather set on the more traditional ''get hired and work for the company inside the company''. What I am doing now though came as a great opportunity and I think it's actually a nice transition from student life into the professional world. The co-working space mimics this 9 to 5 work routine and structure that I think I do need to be productive. It's easy to stay at home; but at the end of the day I do like a clear cut between private/leisure and professional time. The main benefit in my opinion is really just a change of scenery and a more dynamic work environment than to be sitting on your own at home.

Which questions / problems could you help your coworking neighbour with?
I guess if anyone's interested in European gas infrastructure projects (very juicy topic...) feel free to talk to me. Other than that, if you've ever wondered what Luxembourgish sounds like, that could be another reason.

Do you have favourite spots in Berlin? Something to recommend / consider especially for people coming here?
Minus the fact that I smell like an ashtray every time I leave the place I would say that I love very traditional/quaint old Berliner Kneipe nights with my friends. Literally spread all over town and I don't think I have a favorite but maaaybe Lenau-Stuben in Neukölln. Great 80s music too. Just saying

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Thanks a lot and all the best to you!