Inside training: Interview with dual business administration student Shania

The timing is such that in the first year of the apprenticeship you can devote yourself fully to your training and getting to grips with the world of work. From the second year, you start your studies. The intermediate and final exams of the apprenticeship take place during the semester break and the practical semester, so that I can prepare specifically for all exams at the vocational school and the university.

The decision to do my studies at the BAUR Group can be divided into two areas.

On the one hand, there is the company itself. The BAUR Group enjoys a very good reputation here in the area and is therefore very appealing as a training provider. As an apprentice/trainee, you have a lot of freedom, which is not usual in this position. We are given our own laptop so that we can work in the Anywhere Office at any time after consultation with the respective departments. We also have flexitime and can decide for ourselves, within certain limits, when we start and finish work. Not forgetting, of course, the support we receive. With our training managers, we have a contact person at all times who we can approach with any concerns, whether personal or professional. There is simply a super friendly and collegial working atmosphere.

On the other hand, the course itself was a decisive factor. I was already very interested in business when I was at school, so I had my sights set on studying business administration. However, I didn't want to fulfill the preconception that you study business administration because it's the first thing that comes to mind. So I was looking for something special. In the end, my brother discovered this course in combination with the incredibly exciting e-commerce course, which met all my criteria.

That probably sounds like I've been paid for it, but I actually think it's great 😄. I love my dual studies at the university, where I'm taught the theoretical content in a very practical way and can take exams at the end of the semester. However, I also look forward to the one or two months at the company after each examination phase. In the office, I can switch off from the semester and apply my knowledge. This means that after each semester break, I start back at university with a breath of fresh air and new motivation.

It's the same with lecturers as with teachers at school: you get on very well with some, but you don't get on at all with others. It will never change in life that you meet people with whom you don't get on so well. Dealing with the lecturers is very friendly overall. The fact that we have an extra supervisor at the university who knows our training supervisors in the BAUR Group and the teachers at the vocational school is a particular plus point for cooperative students. Thanks to the close cooperation, training, work and studies are perfectly coordinated. We always have a contact person at the university who we can talk to about choosing a specialization, creating a timetable, etc. We are never left alone with our questions and problems.

Consequently, the cohesion between the dual students is very strong. In my year, we are a group of 9 dual business administration students who grow closer together from semester to semester. Over time, many fellow students and fellow sufferers become true friends. 😊

Of all the departments I've worked in so far, Shop Management is my favorite. My tasks here were to redesign sub-shops by maintaining articles so that only matching articles can be found in the stores. I was also allowed to update the weekly report, which is exported to an Excel file, every week. Together with another trainee, I was allowed to redesign the rooms for the residential rider and completely reopen them. In addition to the tasks that I found very interesting, I also had very nice colleagues who were always open to questions and a training officer who talked to the trainees about more than just professional topics and had lots of tips and advice for my future career.

I have really grown beyond myself in the last two years. I have learned not to lose my courage and enthusiasm for learning even in stressful phases. I also regularly keep my goals in mind as motivation to always pass my exams with the grades I had hoped for. I come out of the more difficult phases of my studies with more self-confidence and learn not to underestimate myself.

I have also been able to develop further at work and am becoming more and more at home in the professional world. I now enjoy my work so much that I can't imagine my life without it.

I can absolutely recognize the BAUR Group's motto "Fun for success!" in myself and my achievements.