Like parents, like children? Following in the footsteps of your parents and taking over a family business can be an opportunity for some and a burden for others. But life is not black and white and sometimes everything turns out quite differently than expected.
So what is it like to think that your career path has already been decided by your family situation? Dr. Fürst can tell you a thing or two about it. At the age of 14, she moved with her parents and siblings to Spain, where the family bred Spanish horses. These circumstances influenced her choice of studies in veterinary medicine, and what she thought she would do professionally later on. But instead of working in horse breeding as planned, she came back to Switzerland and did her doctorate at the University of Zurich.
After professional positions in research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, she started her career in television in 2000. In that year, she began to set up, produce and present the Basel health TV magazine "xund-tv" for Telebasel. From August 2007 to December 2012, she was a presenter on "Gesundheit Sprechstunde", SRF1. Today, she is editorial director and presenter of the TV health magazine healthtoday, which is broadcast every Saturday on SRF1.
In the interview, Dr. Fürst tells us how she has given herself the freedom to find her own path. In the process, she has remained true to medicine and, with television, has gained another passion that fulfills her to this day. In the interview, learn more about Dr. Jeanne Fürst, her professional and private interests, and the most important lessons she has learned along her career path so far.
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Definitely from my father. He gave me three important messages along the way:
'Feed your head as much as you can, because knowledge and experience no one can take away from you.'
'You can achieve anything you want, you just have to want it badly enough and work hard for it, then there are few limits.'
'Look for your independence, because independence means freedom and helps you in difficult situations.'"
Dr. Fürst, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"Since I was a little girl I had the dream to study medicine, however I was also interested in architecture and art history. Since we bred horses in Spain, human medicine didn't make sense. I wanted to take over my parents' breeding business one day, so I decided to study veterinary medicine. Then everything turned out differently. It is almost impossible to make a living from breeding horses, so I had to change direction. After my studies in Spain, I came to Switzerland, worked for a year in a small animal clinic and then changed to the pharmaceutical industry.
At a concert, I met a filmmaker who advised me to try my hand at television. I actually got a chance and was able to learn the television business from scratch 19 years ago. I'm proud of that and have great professional satisfaction."
What would you work for free for a week?
"I would love to spend a week in a hospital visiting people who have little contact with the outside world and try to put a smile on their faces.
I am enthusiastic about everything that moves the world forward in terms of an environmentally friendly, socially just and fair world. So we at the Rotary Club Dreiländereck (member, editor's note) support projects at home and abroad, and I feel very drawn to that."
How do you face setbacks and deal with difficulties?
"We grow from setbacks and difficulties, and who doesn't want to grow? Of course, difficult times are hard and tiring. For me, it's important to stay level-headed and deliberate in stressful, difficult times, taking one step at a time and moving steadily forward. New doors are always opening. But you also have to recognize them and have the courage to go through them.
Looking back on my life so far, difficulties and setbacks have always been turning points and have helped me move forward."
What is especially important to you in your work environment and what is definitely not coming into the office?
"I work with a highly motivated, constructive team. So you can pull together to steer the ship safely on wild and calm waters. I appreciate people who work with passion, commitment, creativity and flexibility. Having your heart in the right place, is also important at work.
Selfish people without enthusiasm, fire and team spirit are out of the question for me."
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ms. Fürst for her contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
