Today you are part of the R&D department of Paul & Co. What was the impulse that made you decide to join this company as a teenager?
I live in the region and knew the company. The first points of contact were already made as a child in the vacation program. In addition, Paul & Co introduced itself at a career information day at my school. During a subsequent internship, my interest in technical vocational training was awakened.
Do you still remember your application at Paul & Co?
Yes, I do remember that despite the exam character during the employment test and the work trail, great value was placed on a pleasant atmosphere. That felt good.
Biographies today are often intertwined and have gaps. Your path was rather the proof that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. Where does this sense of purpose come from?
Early on, I already had the desire to study mechanical engineering. Paul & Co offered me an alternative further education opportunity, which was divided into different stages. Everything built upon each other. Each step was a logical consequence of the previous one. After my first apprenticeship I spent half a year in the R&D department. Later I returned here again and again. Also because I was always particularly fascinated by the subject of development in our company. During my training as a technologist packaging materials, I went through various divisions involved in our production. When I finally began my part-time studies, I was able to apply my theoretical skills directly to the development process.
Did you have supporters? A kind of career coach? Someone who planned your development with you?
Our human resources department not only took my plans into account, but supported them. Above all, my colleagues and superiors in R&D have always supported me. Since my work experience in 2013, my area of expertise has been constantly growing and I was given more and more responsibility.
Speaking of support. Your degrees were outstanding. In the past, there were already very good training graduates at Paul & Co. Do apprentices in the company receive special support?
There is an in-house training programme at Paul & Co, which all apprentices and dual students participate in together. This is certainly an important groundwork from which everyone benefits.
If someone has the ambition to obtain three qualifications in such a short time, many doors are probably open to him. What is special about Paul & Co? What ties you to the company?
When I did my first apprenticeship, the effects of the international banking and financial crisis were felt everywhere. While my family-run training company had established a solidarity employment pact between employees and management, some of my classmates had to fear for their jobs.
The personal contact between management and employees makes it clear to me every day that I am part of the team here - not just a number in the HR department. For me, Paul & Co combines the advantages of a global player with those of a down-to-earth family business.
You do not seem like someone who ever stops. What professional goals have you set yourself for your personal future at Paul & Co?
After all, R&D is an area that represents the opposite of stagnation. I am motivated to always remain open to new approaches, to question processes and to look for new and creative solutions. In this way I would like to become a trusted and valuable contact person for other colleagues and customers.
And what future do you predict for the industry and Paul & Co?
Increasing environmental awareness and ever more stringent quality requirements are certainly beneficial for us as a company whose core competence is sustainable packaging solutions and winding goods. Our products are optimally adapted to the requirements of the entire value chain. If we continue to succeed in optimising proven solutions, critically viewing successes as a snapshot and combining euphoric inventiveness with customer-oriented economical products, Paul & Co will continue to enrich the market for a long time to come.
