An Espresso with... Kai Rotermundt

From a chance encounter to shaping the future – how an internship, 50 Deutsche Marks, and a bold decision paved the way to the University of Bremen. In this personal retrospective, Kai Rotermundt from Achim recounts how studying Production Engineering took him from rock band rehearsals to leadership roles in the mobile communications industry. He also shares his advice for today’s students: stay curious, take initiative, and achieve more together. A glimpse into a lived story of upward mobility, pioneering spirit, and the formative power of the University of Bremen’s culture.

Why did you study at the University of Bremen?

I come from a household where no one had attended university before me. While doing an internship that was actually meant to prepare me for studying at a university of applied sciences, someone recommended the then-new degree program in "Production Engineering" at the University of Bremen.
The next morning, I grabbed my ID, 50 Deutsche Marks, and my high school diploma, went to the university boulevard in Bremen, and submitted an application for the lottery-based admission process. Fifteen minutes later, I was a student. The program was only a year old at the time. There were exciting collaborations with local companies on technical challenges, such as with Mercedes and Mars. The technology and processes fascinated me then – and still do today.

Did the university meet your expectations?

Yes and no. At first, it felt a bit like being back in school – until I realized that the timetable at the University of Bremen was more of a guideline than a strict schedule. Back then, studies weren’t nearly as regimented as they are today.
I was lucky to quickly find a study group. Some of the others had already trained in technical professions, so we complemented each other well. As someone fresh out of school, I was able to contribute my up-to-date programming and computer skills.

What role did your studies in Bremen play in your career and later professional life?

Even during my studies, I discovered my passion for mobile communications. After several internships, I knew: that’s where I want to go. When I graduated in 1994, I joined E-Plus right away – a brand-new player in the market at the time. Across all of Germany, there were only about 1.5 million mobile phone users back then.
For us newcomers, it was a wide-open field with lots of freedom – but also a great deal of responsibility.
Thankfully, I was well prepared. The University of Bremen fostered a high degree of self-organization. We learned how to take initiative, try things out, and tackle problems independently. The oral exams in the advanced electrical engineering courses required deep understanding, and the hands-on projects helped to solidify that knowledge – especially the scientific approach of trial, error, and another trial. That mindset proved incredibly useful later in industry.
Outside of university, I played a lot of music in a rock band, and honestly, Plan A was to become a rock star. We even produced our own record – and that’s where I first got familiar with project management.
I spent ten years working for various private mobile network operators and was ultimately responsible for building the entire MobilCom network from Sylt to Poland.
Since early 2004, my engineering consultancy has supported government agencies in setting up the BOS digital radio system. Later, I became a shareholder and managing director of the company.

What was the most formative part of your time at the University of Bremen?

What I appreciated from the start was the strong sense of community among the students. People helped one another, shared notes and materials, and competition wasn’t really a thing. The go-to meeting place was the student-run cafeteria in NW1, where many students also worked part-time. Even back then – nearly 40 years ago – vegetarian meals were often served, reflecting the international diversity on campus.
Certain professors and lecturers left a lasting impression.
For example, Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Sch?fer, a physicist with practical experience in nuclear technology, taught our mathematics classes. Or Prof. Dr. Fritz Arndt, who provided real research insights in his high-frequency technology courses.
Prof. Dr. Laur supported our thesis work in cooperation with industry, and in communications engineering, Prof. Dr. Wasiljeff stood out. He used to say: “I don’t have a script. You write the script yourselves during the lectures and bring it to the exam. Then we’ll go through it together and see if you’ve understood the material. But don’t leave out too many of the hard parts – I know what I said.”
The exams felt more like scientific discussions – not quite on equal footing, of course, but still very different from traditional testing. That kind of teaching, I believe, was unique and something you wouldn’t easily find at other universities. I really appreciated that.

What do you associate with the University and the city of Bremen today?

Since I’ve always lived in Achim, I had a close connection to Bremen from the very beginning. For me, the city has always been “the place to be.” It simply offers everything: a university, universities of applied sciences, a vibrant cultural scene with cinemas and concert venues – and of course, the best football club in the world.
Although I never worked directly in Bremen after graduating, the city’s proximity was always a huge advantage. Bremen has excellent transport links. From Achim, I can get there in just a few minutes, and cities like Hanover and Hamburg are also easily accessible.
Add to that the strong economic region around us – with cities like Oldenburg, Osnabrück, and Bremerhaven practically on the doorstep – and I really do think living here is a privilege.

Based on your own experience, what advice would you give today’s students?

My top advice: stay curious, embrace lifelong learning, and keep evolving. I regularly come across inspiring ideas – for example, from Vera F. Birkenbihl, who suggested writing down five positive things from your day and one new insight each evening. It boosts motivation and helps you realize how much you learn each day – even from just reading a short encyclopedia or Wikipedia article.
In my view, it’s important to develop a strong, broad foundation and learn to work independently while at university. Specialization comes later. I recently came across a team model that emphasizes having broad general knowledge while diving deep into one area. That allows teams to collaborate more effectively because you understand what’s happening around you – not just in your own field.
Another key point: find the sweet spot between planning and execution. Don’t get stuck overanalyzing – take action. I always told my team: it’s better to move forward with 85% clarity than to wait for the perfect solution. Because you rarely see the perfect solution at the start. Better to get going, stay alert, and adjust course along the way.