How I came to work at Volkswagen:
Since my bachelor’s degree I have been gaining experience in the Volkswagen Group. Initially I completed an internship with Audi in Ingolstadt in the area of strategic product planning. Then it was off to Martorell in Spain where I wrote my bachelor’s thesis with Seat. The topic was the extent to which ergonomics impacts production time. I was then employed as a student assistant for two years in Volkswagen Financial Services in the marketing department for competition monitoring to gain an insight into the business side. For my master’s thesis I again wanted to work at a production location and wrote my thesis with Volkswagen in the area of the digital factory. Following so many positions with Volkswagen, I was certain I wanted to also apply and expand my knowledge with the company in the future.
Brief overview of my work:
As part of the StartUp Cross programme, I work in a new area every two months, which is not only a challenge but also very exciting. Thanks to the flexibility of the programme, I can choose the departments and the projects myself – both nationally and internationally – based on my own preferences and my core responsibilities. As trainees we are mentored by a member of management as well as by the trainee coordinator and the colleagues from the respective departments. We also have the opportunity within the trainee community to take part in different technical and more general events. These regular meet-ups allow us to exchange ideas and network across department boundaries. And we also get together of course after hours for various activities and at private events. Of course, one of the most exciting elements of the programme is the foreign assignment. I will work for a good three months in California in the Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL).
Following the trainee programme, I will then join my target unit. My job then will be to represent IT in different vehicle projects. This will allow me to be involved quite early on in the decision-making process and to validate the respective implementations in consultation with the IT unit. Moreover, I will be responsible for ongoing reporting for IT processes so that challenges are identified in good time, addressed and resolved.
My best moment at Volkswagen was ...
… not just one. I have to honestly say that I have had many great moments with Volkswagen. My time has especially been enriched in a positive way by the many colleagues I have been able to get to know in the different departments. And there is so much that can be achieved in the right environment. Being able to work in such an atmosphere is the most important thing for me.
For me, the mobility of the future means ...
… focusing on three essential areas. First of all, intermodal offers from Volkswagen so that our customers can get from A to B easily. Secondly, innovative technology in the vehicle itself. This includes autonomous driving, the services but also the smart vehicle. And thirdly the prerequisite for future mobility: production of the future. Smart production processes mean being able to offer high-quality vehicles at a fair price.
My application tips are ...
... be well informed concerning current and future topics affecting the automotive sector, concentrate intensively on your own capabilities and possibilities and try to place these in the context of the Volkswagen world.