Integration and a career in Germany

  
At a time when the importance of global connections and cultural diversity is becoming increasingly apparent, Rahim's personal story is an inspiring example of how integration and professional success can go hand in hand. Originally from Turkey, Rahim has experienced a remarkable journey over the past seven years in Germany. During the challenges of the Corona period, he has learnt German intensively and trained to pursue his professional goals. Today, Rahim, a proud father of two daughters, works as a consultant at avantum consult GmbH, a subsidiary of the All for One Group. In the following interview with our colleague Natali, Rahim talks about his experiences, challenges and successes along the way, provides insights into his work in the IT sector and his personal development and growth experiences.   

Natali: Hello Rahim, tell us your story! Who are you, where are you from and how did you get into business analytics and avantum?

Rahim: Hi, I'm Rahim. I'm originally from Turkey and I came to Germany as a refugee seven years ago. During the coronavirus period, I learnt German intensively and continued my education. In search of career opportunities, I completed an SAP course at socialbee, a non-profit organisation that helps refugees make a fresh start in Germany.  

During the internship, I worked in two areas: the first week in the Data Science team and the second week in the SAP team. I felt comfortable there and really wanted to stay at avantum. Despite initial language difficulties, I was able to integrate successfully into the company, which I am particularly proud of.  

Fortunately, I was also able to take part in the team event at Phantasialand and get to know many of my colleagues. At the end of the internship, I was offered the opportunity to apply for a trainee position. I accepted the offer and started as a trainee at avantum on 1 January 2022.

START AT AVANTUM AS A TRAINEE

Natali: What made you decide to complete the trainee programme at avantum?  
 

Rahim: I wanted to deepen my knowledge of SAP, and the best way to do that is through practical experience in projects. As a trainee, you can learn and work on projects at the same time, which I really like. I also noticed that the people are a good fit and the team harmonises well. 

Rahim mit seinen Töchtern

Natali: Do you still remember your first day as a trainee?    

Rahim: Yes, the first day was a bit overwhelming. There were a lot of organisational tasks to do, like setting up the VPN and email settings. But the onboarding training was very well organised and lasted three days. We learnt almost everything you need to know to get started. Of course, I had question marks on my face every now and then, but overall the start was very good. If I had any problems, I could turn to my colleagues at any time. They were very helpful and patiently answered my questions, even if they seemed self-explanatory. That made my start a lot easier.  

Natali: That sounds like a successful start. It's great that your colleagues helped you and that you felt comfortable. Looking back on your traineeship at avantum, were your expectations met?  

Rahim: Yes, absolutely. I wanted to apply SAP Analytics not only theoretically, but also practically, and I was able to achieve this goal within the programme. I particularly remember my third week when I was already working on a small project. It was a challenge, but avantum put their trust in me. I learnt a lot over about three weeks and was able to put what I had learnt into practice. Although it wasn't a very big project, it helped me to become more confident. 

Natali: Were there certain aspects that were particularly challenging or that you particularly enjoyed? 

Rahim: Yes, I was involved in a large forecasting project during the programme. It was an extensive project involving many colleagues. The first contact with the customer was a challenge for me because I didn't know what to expect. But my colleagues supported me here too.  I particularly enjoyed the dialogue with other trainees. Socialising was encouraged and we didn't miss out on going out for a meal together and chatting.    

Natali:  It's very important to exchange ideas with each other, especially when colleagues can empathise with exactly what you're going through. It's great that you took the time to do this. Were there any specific mentors or colleagues during the trainee programme who played an important role and gave you particular support?   
 

Rahim:  Yes, I had a mentor at my side during the programme. We had a 15-minute meeting every week for dialogue. If I had any questions, I could contact him directly. He was very patient and helped me enormously. The mentors on the trainee programme were generally very helpful.  
  

Natali:  You work a lot with data in your job. Are you a data fan? Have you always been interested in data?   
  

Rahim: Yes, definitely. I've been good at maths since I was at primary school and I love working with numbers. Working with data and numbers fascinated me during my studies and it continues to do so in my job.  
  

Natali:  Enthusiasm for something, be it personal or professional, is a key to success. Could you give us a brief insight into your day-to-day work? What does your typical working day as a Consultant look like?    
  

Rahim:  I usually start my working day in the home office at around 8.15 am. We often have a customer meeting at 8.30 a.m. to discuss tasks and other topics. I spend the rest of the day working on these tasks and liaising spontaneously with customers. I develop projects, take a lunch break and drink coffee in between. Every week there is a one-hour team meeting where we discuss what has been done and what is on the agenda for the coming week. Sometimes I take two or three hours for further training. I enjoy spreading my workload over the week and achieving my goals at the end of the day. I am particularly proud when customer requirements are successfully realised.        

Natali:  This means that you also invest time in your own development. That's important in your job. Do you find it easy to find time for internal topics?    
  

Rahim:  I definitely integrate it into my daily work routine. For example, I recently completed a training course on a new tool and received a certificate for it, even though it wasn't directly related to a current project. Nevertheless, such training courses broaden my horizons and help me to progress in my work.  
  
Natali:  How would you describe the corporate culture at avantum and the All for One Group?   
  

Rahim:  Our corporate culture is exceptionally diverse and open. Employees come from different cultural and professional backgrounds, which makes the working environment particularly enriching. The open communication allows me to approach anyone directly at any time and ask questions, which I really appreciate. Overall, I feel very comfortable here.  
  

Natali:  I think that as part of the All for One Group, we have a large cultural community. Do you find this diversity enriching or a challenge?    
  

Rahim:  The cultural diversity here is really enriching. It's great that we have colleagues here from many different countries. I particularly like the fact that I can even speak Turkish from time to time. I'm also part of a community with people who have similar cultural backgrounds to me. We stay in touch and organise get-togethers from time to time.    

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT AT AVANTUM  

Natali:  What has happened since you completed your trainee programme?  

Rahim:  Since I started at avantum, I have experienced significant development both professionally and personally. My original goal was simply to work in an exciting field, and I have found that here at avantum. I didn't have a clear idea at first, but I have continued to develop here, especially in the area of SAP, which I now really appreciate and enjoy pursuing. 

Natali:  What skills and competences have you developed over the past few years, especially in working with customers? 

Rahim:  Firstly, I have greatly expanded my SAP knowledge and familiarised myself fully with this technology. At the beginning of my time at avantum, the One Academy, our in-house training academy, helped me to improve my language skills, especially for communicating with customers. I completed an intensive three-month German course, which significantly strengthened my communication skills. On the technical side, I particularly developed my skills in SAP Analytics Cloud.  

BALANCING FAMILY AND JOB  

Natali: Rahim, you are father of two daughters. How do you manage to reconcile the demands of your role as a Consultant with your family commitm 

Rahim: I have a fixed schedule. Most of the time I work from home. My children are at school from 8am to 4pm and are looked after afterwards. They usually come home around 4.30 or 5.00 pm. After work, we spend time together, for example preparing dinner or going to the park if the weather is good. From around 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., I am then completely there for my children. As soon as they are in bed, I enjoy my hobbies. 

Natali: Is there any support or flexibility at avantum to help you fulfil your role as a father in the best possible way?

Rahim:  Normally my children are at school. When they are sick and have to stay at home, it is a challenge as I have to both work and look after them. In such cases, flexibility is very important. I can adjust my working hours or work in the evenings when the children are asleep. This ability to organise my working hours flexibly is very valuable to me. It allows me to work effectively without neglecting my responsibilities as a father. 

Natali:  In terms of your goals and ambitions, where do you see yourself in the next few years?      

Rahim:  So far, I have mainly worked in the SAP area, especially in cloud development. I would also like to familiarise myself with other areas, such as SAP BW. My goal is to be competent in both backend and frontend in the future.    

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE IT PROFESSIONALS

Natali:  That sounds promising! Do you have any tips for someone coming to Germany who wants to be successful in the IT sector? 

Rahim:  Yes, many of my friends ask me how to find a job in the IT sector in Germany. I always share my experiences and give advice. Everyone has their own experiences and expectations, but I like to tell them about my journey and how I made it. The first step is to learn the language. After that, you should focus on a specific area like data science or SAC.  

Sometimes people in IT don't know where to start. There are many options such as cybersecurity, software testing, coding or web development. The important thing is to decide on an area and specialise in it. I recommend everyone who asks me for advice to specialise, as this can be the key to success. 

Natali:  Those are valuable words. Thank you again, Rahim, for your time and openness. We wish you continued success with your projects.    

Rahim:  Thank you, Natali. It was a pleasure.  

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