| Division: | BYK |
| Company: | BYK-Chemie GmbH |
| Role: | Nanotechnology Plastics Employee |
| Location: | Wesel |
| Country: | Germany |
| Has been with the company since: | 10/2008 |
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What have you done before you joined BYK-Chemie?
After the 10th grade at the comprehensive school in Schermbeck, I transferred to the Friedrich-Albert-Lange Vocational College in Duisburg. While there, I obtained the vocational diploma (Fachabitur) in connection with an environmental-protection assistant apprenticeship.
I subsequently began my graduate engineer (Diplom-Ingenieur) university education in plastics technology at the Münster University of Applied Sciences. I did my thesis work already here in-house, in End Use Closed Mold.
You have participated in a trainee program. How was the program structured and which experiences have you gained?
During my trainee program I became familiar with the wide variety of departments in the area of plastics. I was able to determine my focus areas on my own. By doing this, one is well able to determine which area in the company was where one felt the most comfortable and would like to work in later.
An important point for me was that one is not "thrown into the deep end of the pool" immediately after college or university, but instead is able to adjust to the new circumstances and surroundings and is supported in that regard.
How are you supported by ALTANA as a trainee?
The mentor is always there to give advice and be of assistance. One is allowed to pursue further education, which one is able to select together with their superiors. Moreover, one has the opportunity to work at sites abroad, e.g. in the U.S.
What are your professional goals?
I would like to continually develop myself further in terms of my career. Whereas I am currently a "one-man department", I would like to expand this further, by tapping into new markets and applications for nanocomposites and additives.
What do you do in your free time?
I spend a lot of my free time with my wife and our child. We take many trips, often play soccer and do a wide variety of things together. In addition, I enjoy paintball and play it often. I exercise a lot and spend some time with friends. I really enjoy listening to music, e.g. German reggae - or simply enjoy lounging on the sofa once in a while.