My story at LEONI
My name is Florian, and I have been employed at LEONI as a dual-study program student in Electrical Engineering - Vehicle Electronics with a focus on e-mobility and alternative drives since September 2020. After creating a profile on the website of the Baden-Württemberg partner university, I was contacted by LEONI’s Human Resources department and invited to apply. This is how I came to be employed as a dual-study student.
This is my job
During my dual-study program, I am free to decide in which department I would like to work, and in which project I would like to participate. Personal initiative is very much encouraged here, and you can realize your own ideas either alone or within your team. This enables me to learn a lot in many different areas within a short space of time. I am currently working hard in the electronics laboratory, where I design and assemble circuits, research components, carry out measurements and document the whole process in detail – all of this as part of my ongoing project work.
My daily routine
Start of the day
I am lucky enough to live only a thousand meters from the company – which means that I can cycle to work in next to no time every day. At around 8 a.m. I usually arrive at my desk, which is in one of our open workspaces. I start by replying to emails and sorting out the organizational jobs to be done. I also think about what I want to achieve over the course of the day, run this past my colleagues where appropriate and organize meetings.
Morning
Because I almost always work on my own project during the practical phase, I usually do literature research in the morning and get new material that I need for my theory foundation. At the same time, I develop my degree project and consider which approaches are promising and which measurements I can conduct. I may then prepare for them.
Lunch break
During lunch break, I go out for a walk with other students and apprentices across the company grounds and take my own lunch box. At our canteen in Kitzingen I can also really eat well and enjoy a balanced diet at a fair price. I am happy to leave my lunch box at home for salmon fillets with thyme wedges or fresh apple strudel.
Afternoon
In the afternoons I go to a different place of work at the nearby electronics lab. In between, I regularly meet with other dual-study students, apprentices or the Technology team to coordinate my own or other projects, such as the New Talents Company, which is made up only of apprentices and students. Together we plan, realize, and evaluate our projects completely independently with our own budget that is made available by LEONI.
Evening
My workday usually ends toward 3:30 p.m. and then I cycle home. After I get home, I relax before meeting my colleagues in the New Talents Company; usually we go cycling along the Main river or we have dinner together.
My highlights
One of the best moments for me personally was the excursion organized for apprentices and students to visit the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. At this event, as well as at others, I had enjoyable conversations with other new talents and colleagues. Another definite highlight for me was when, after months of working on my project, the algorithm I developed was used for the first time to prove the concept. This moment was more than exciting for me because I had invested so much time and poured my heart and soul into it. It is simply great to translate your own work into practice.
My view of LEONI as an employer
I opted for LEONI as an employer not only because of the attractive region and beautiful location, but also because of the substantial pay for trainees and the product range that is perfectly in tune with my degree course. The people who I met at the interview seemed very likable and capable to me. The work atmosphere, both in the office and when working from home, is very pleasant and our collaboration is very enjoyable. The flexibility that I am offered despite being full-time in the practical phase allows me to complete my jobs in my office at home and to apply working hours flexibly. The freedom I have in choosing my department and projects enables me to test my own ideas, to optimize them and to learn a lot in a short space of time.
I find the work culture at LEONI to be very pleasant and relaxed, especially so within my team. Managers show great interest in the projects of dual-study students and take a lot of time to understand ideas, and to give feedback regularly. Coordination within the project teams and the whole department functions effectively, which is why we are always informed of what is happening and can provide support as needed.
To me, LEONI is positioned as an employer that focuses on innovation, employee-friendly conditions, and trailblazing ideas.
