Author: Lena Zenner, Business Apprentice, Leister Switzerland
Interview: Silke Landtwing, Manager of Corporate Communications, Leister Switzerland
Why did you decide to do a Business Apprenticeship?
In school, once I got to the point of thinking about career choices, I looked at different jobs in my field I might like. At first sight, I liked the hotel business. But when I did some work experience, I realized that tidying and cleaning rooms was not my thing. This work experience helped me decide what I liked and what I didn’t.
My mother showed me an advertisement in the free newspaper Aktuell Obwalden. Leister was holding an event on business careers. I had already heard that this was excellent basic training for the future and I was interested in office work because I enjoyed working on computers. So, I attended this event. And I decided to take a business training course.
And what happened next?
Then I completed a work experience for a business apprenticeship at the Obwalden Cantonal Hospital, Biofamilia and Leister.
Why did you enjoy Leister so much?
During my work experience at Leister, the employees immediately struck me as positive. Even though I was really shy at the beginning, colleagues included me right away, showed me everything and helped me when I had any questions.
Which departments have you discovered during your training?
I spent the first year in the Purchasing department. Here, I checked order confirmations and registered orders.
Now, in my second year, I’m in Sales. I process various customer orders and requests.
Occasionally, I also work at the reception. Among other things, I have contact with customers and our sales and service partners who, for example, complete welding training with us.
During my apprenticeship at Leister, I also get insights into other departments.
In my first year, I spent three days in Incoming Goods and was involved in the work there. I saw how our packages are prepared for dispatch and how our products are properly stored.
I also spent a day in the planning department. There, I saw how our production is planned so that we always have enough items in stock.
I spent three days in the IT department. There, I set up workstations for new employees and updated the new company phones.
Recently, I spent a week in production. There, I even wired and assembled a few Leister appliances.
I'm currently working in marketing and getting to know the different activities here. For example, one of my activities was to write this interview.
So far, where have you enjoyed working the most and why?
I really enjoy working in the Purchasing and Sales departments. They are two different departments with two different teams.
My favorite is Reception, because activities are really varied. I have direct contact with our visitors, but also do typical office work. No two days are the same at Reception. Sometimes, we have a lot of visitors and barely any time for ourselves. On other days, we only have a couple of visitors and we have peace and quiet to get on with our usual activities or work on orders that need to be processed. I like this variety a lot.
What are you studying at the moment in terms of theory, i.e., at school?
We learn many different things at school. At the moment, we are on the third Consolidation and Networking activity. For this work, in groups of four, we create our own company and take important company decisions. A program assesses our decisions and works out whether our company would make a profit or a loss. Luckily, this is only theory, because our group’s company is already in the red after the first corporate year.
This is particularly useful if you’re planning to create your own company. This Consolidation and Networking activity is combined with Business, Accountancy and IT subjects.
What is your favorite subject and why?
My favorite subject is English. I think English is a beautiful language and I like the culture in English-speaking countries.
Which subject do you like less?
French is the subject I like the least. I find this language the hardest to learn. And I don’t use French very much. So I have less practical experience.
Do you already know what you will be doing after your business apprenticeship?
I don’t have any specific plans for the future.
I’m interested in working and studying abroad. England or the USA would be my first choice.
I’m also interested in graphic design because I enjoy drawing or creating things in my free time.
But I am open to what the future holds and will take it as it comes.
