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With curiosity and courage
Curiosity, courage, and a strong drive to make things happen – these are the qualities that define Cássia Castro Müller. Growing up in Brazil, her journey eventually brought her to Germany through a scholarship from thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (tkSE). In 2013, at the age of 25, she decided to leave her home country to pursue her master’s degree in cooperation with tkSE and the University of Duisburg-Essen. “This collaboration gave thyssenkrupp and me the opportunity to get to know each other better and laid the foundation for the start of my career,” Cássia recalls.
After graduating, she spent a year as a doctoral researcher at thyssenkrupp Steel. Following her doctorate, she moved into project management and product development. At the end of 2024, she consciously made a bold decision: she stepped out of her comfort zone to take on new challenges as an Innovation and Technology Senior Expert. Today, she focuses on technologies for sustainable steel production. What she particularly values about her work is the freedom to shape her own topics and drive them forward independently. What motivates her? The joy of learning: “Without constant opportunities to learn, I quickly get bored,” says Cássia.
Integration and cultural exchange
For Cássia, one thing is clear: diversity is a real asset for every company.
“If we fail to reflect diversity within teams, we end up looking at challenges from only one perspective.”
Different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives not only enrich the process of finding solutions, but also strengthen respect and a sense of belonging within a team. “In environments like these, you feel valued and are able to contribute with a sense of security,” she adds.
But how can international professionals in Germany not only establish themselves professionally, but also integrate on a personal level? For Cássia, openness and good communication are key. Her advice to anyone coming to Germany from abroad: “Learning the language as well as possible helps enormously – both at work and in everyday life.” Perfection is not essential, however: “I’ve been living here for twelve years, I still occasionally mix up articles, and I will continue to speak with my accent. That is completely normal and should be met with greater acceptance.”
Cássia sees integration as a mutual process in which both sides can learn from one another. “Integration is not a one-way street – we need to understand and appreciate each other for it to work. I’m open to you, you’re open to me. I help you, you help me.” In addition, the people she works with are a key part of her professional success: “I value the honesty with which we interact as a team,” she says. At the same time, her own personality also contributes to fostering a positive working environment – with her positive attitude and reliability, she helps create an atmosphere in which everyone can feel comfortable.
Passion meets innovation
A particular milestone in her career was the development of the product MBW1900 +AS Pro - a high-strength, hot-rolled steel for the automotive industry. The project, which was launched in 2020, was successfully introduced to the market in 2023. "Together with the project team, I achieved this major goal for myself and tkSE. This product will always be special to me, as it embodies exactly what I wanted to achieve when I joined thyssenkrupp Steel as a product developer in 2015," emphasizes Cássia.
“Getting to know people, cultures and languages broadens our horizons. This openness and her tireless will to develop further make her a real asset - for thyssenkrupp and the international working environment."
Where there's a will, there's a way
Cássia's story shows how important communication, openness and a willingness to learn throughout life are for a successful international career. With her positive attitude and commitment, she inspires not only her colleagues, but also anyone who wants to follow a similar path.