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Got your degree - what’s next?
After many years of learning, sooner or later you will enter professional life. This is an exciting time when many things change. Melanie started as an intern in one of our teams in October 2021 and quickly realized that this was exactly the right thing for her. After a stint as a working student, she has now been a Junior HR Manager responsible for supporting the tech trainees for almost 7 months. But how did she experience the transition and what tips would she give for starting a career? We asked her.
Hi Melanie! Tell me, how did you find out about OTTO?
"Hi, I was due to do a compulsory internship as part of my degree and my professor at the time often mentioned OTTO as a positive example within the personnel development module. My curiosity was aroused and I wanted to see for myself. Even during my internship, it was clear to me that I had found exactly the right thing for me and I stayed on the team as a working student, and since April I have now taken on the role of Junior HR Manager and supervise tech trainees."
What experiences from your time as a working student have prepared and shaped you for your current role?
"The experience I gained as a working student was very helpful. I was already familiar with the target groups, the team, the topics and the cross-functional interfaces and knew what makes OTTO tick. The trainee onboarding days were particularly formative, where I experienced the spirit at first hand and saw how much impact we have. The training planning for the apprentices also gave me a lot to take with me for the future, where I was able to develop my organizational skills in particular and take on responsibility."
How did you experience the transition from working student to junior position and what challenges did you face?
"The transition was smooth and pleasant, as I was gradually introduced to the new topics and was able to hand over my previous tasks to my successor. It was particularly relieving to remain in the same team. The biggest challenge was slowing me down at the beginning, as I wanted to give 110% straight away. However, my manager and my colleagues quickly made it clear to me that this was by no means their expectation and that, despite my previous experience, I should and may take my time to familiarize myself."
What role does networking play in your career and what tips do you have for career starters?
"Networking is key! Yes, that sounds hackneyed, but it's true. The contacts I made during my time as a working student were very important for my career start. Only those who are well networked can find out about possible jobs quickly and apply in good time. It also often helps to take the initiative and express your interest so that you can be considered if the worst comes to the worst. I recommend taking every opportunity to gain experience and try things out - be it through internships or working student activities. You should also make a conscious effort to network, e.g. through on-campus events, lunch dates or networking formats at OTTO."
What goals do you have for your career at OTTO and how does the company support you in achieving them?
"I want to keep trying things out and learning on the job so that I can implement projects that enrich my work in the long term. The support I receive at OTTO is mainly through exchanges with my manager, with whom I discuss measures for my further development. I was also nominated as a talent and am registered in the OTTO talent pool . This gives talented people who are willing to change jobs transparency about opportunities for change and temporary challenges, thus creating a match between open vacancies and talented people."
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