Auszubildende (Trainee) Review

I could not have asked for a better working environment. Everyone greeted me as one of their own and helped me whenever and wherever they could. I made some great contacts who I am still in touch with today. Working in Berlin also helped with the enjoyment of the placement as it is one of the most fascinating places I have ever been. One aspect which could have been better, however, was the chance to travel to other areas of the business to get a better understanding of the broader picture.

As above; everyone was more helpful than I ever imagined they could be before I started my placement.

All the projects that I worked on were explained very well by the management/colleagues involved. During the projects, I felt it was easy to ask them for advice without dreading any negative responses. Reviews of projects carried out also helped improve my learning throughout my placement.

I was able to achieve all of the targets set out by management but also had enough time to communicate with colleagues in a foreign language (which helped me to achieve my Degree result).

As with any aspect to business it took time for me to gain the trust of the management and the other colleagues. Once I had managed to gain this, I was given much more responsibility and freedom to work on important projects working with both customers and suppliers.

For my degree (and beyond) my foreign language that I was able to improve whilst on my placement has held me in good sted since. I now use my foreign language on an almost daily basis, which may well have been impossible if I had never taken on the placement. The knowledge of the business I gained during my placement has helped me ever since. After a successful placement, the company offered me a Graduate place after I completed my university studies. The knowledge gained on my placement was the basis for everything I have acheieved since.

Everyone understood the importance of work and that always came first. However, this did not mean that we did not have a fun time. The balance between work and fun was just about right.

It took a while to understand what my placement was about, but after I had settled in it was clear to me that the management had a plan for me during my time with them.

I never once felt that I was left to my own devices. I knew I had regular contact with personnel in England if I ever needed them, but knew just as well that the management and colleagues on my placement were more than happy to help with any issues or queries I had.

After I had finished my placement I was in regular contact with the company, who subsequently offered me a job once I had completed my degree. I accepted and started their Graduate Programme 3 months after receiveing my degree.

As some of the colleagues were a similar age to me, I spent a lot of my free time with them. This then allowed me to meet their friends and my network grew rapidly. The management on my placement also organised regular events (such as five-a-side football and other social activities) which allowed me to get to know my colleagues better in a non-work environment.

Considering the city and the area that I lived in, my accommodation was very reasonable. Again, the management on my placement did all the leg work and found a great place to live that belonged to one of their customers. This took a lot of stress out of moving to a foreign country.

Berlin! Need I say more... But, it was very useful spending the weekends with colleagues of a similar age who knew all of the good bars and clubs to go to.

As I worked Mon-Fri I did not have much time to get involved with activities after work (luckily there was a gym 5 minutes walk from my apartment). However, there were many opportunities to get involved in activities and the choice was near enough endless.