Trainee around the world: Pia in Chile

04 Dec 2024

The commercial trainee program at STRABAG took Pia from Berlin across Germany to Santiago de Chile. She not only immersed herself in railroad construction at STRABAG Rail, but also gained experience in other exciting areas. Find out here how Pia's trainee journey went, what highlights she experienced and what's next for her.

How did you come to join the trainee program at STRABAG?

Pia: I did a dual study program in freight transport at Deutsche Bahn and travelled in New Zealand after completing my bachelor's degree. I still found logistics and rail transport exciting, especially from a sustainability perspective. When I discovered a position at STRABAG Rail, I found it interesting to get to know the railroads from a different perspective, especially how construction projects and infrastructure measures affect the efficiency and sustainability of rail transport.

I initially applied for a regular position, whereupon the recruiter recommended the trainee program and told me about the benefits. Especially with a company as large as STRABAG, it is important to gain different insights, which convinced me. The pay and development opportunities are also great. I found the stay abroad particularly appealing, as I also enjoy traveling in my private life and like getting to know new cultures and ways of working.

Also great: the buddy program. Malte, a former trainee, was always at my side and we regularly exchanged experiences. Overall, the trainee program was the perfect start for me to reflect after my stay in New Zealand: Where do I see myself? What are my strengths? How can I connect well with people?

What stages did your trainee program involve?

Pia: At the beginning, I was in Berlin at STRABAG Rail in the scheduling department, where I got to know the day-to-day business and operational work. The direct insight into the construction site was particularly exciting, where I also had a lot of contact with the industrial employees. Later, I switched to Controlling, gaining a deeper insight into the world of figures, and to the workshop, where I worked intensively on purchasing processes.

Sustainability in connection with logistics really fascinates me. That's why I spent a month at STRABAG Innovation and Digitalization (SID) in Stuttgart – in Sustainability Management, to be precise – to deepen my knowledge. I then spent a week in Cologne and had a great opportunity: in the sustainability department of transportation infrastructure construction, I was able to support a pilot project involving an alternative fuel and implement it in our division.

The trainee program of course has a certain framework. However, it is so flexible that I was able to be creative and incorporate my own wishes. I really liked this freedom!

Pia
former commercial trainee

I then worked in cost accounting in Cologne and was able to make valuable contacts before I went to Chile for three exciting months at the end of my trainee period, as we'll come to later. Back in Germany, the Innovation Day in Cologne was a great reunion with many of the colleagues I got to know during the trainee program.

What made a special impression on you during the trainee program?

Pia: My time abroad had a huge impact on me both professionally and personally. I particularly appreciate the solidarity within the Group and the opportunity to get to know different areas and people, to gain a lot of experience and also to make friends.

How did your trainee activities in Germany differ from those in Chile?

Pia: In Germany, my focus was primarily on day-to-day operations. In Chile, I was primarily responsible for strategic tasks, such as visualizing figures in dashboards. One clear difference: I took Spanish lessons in Santiago once a week, which allowed me to brush up on my language skills. This was offered by STRABAG on site.

What were your highlights in Chile?

Pia: The people in Chile attach great importance to personal relationships, even in a work context. So as you can imagine, there is a great community among the employees in Santiago, who welcomed me warmly and made me feel at home. Despite initial language barriers, the working atmosphere was great. Also unique: the office offers a direct view of the Andes!

It was important for me to visit a project on site and although I am a commercial trainee, I was also allowed to go to the "El Teniente" mine. Being underground for the first time was a highlight for me. It was very impressive to see the dimensions of the expansion live.

During my stay abroad, I also had two weeks of vacation, which I used to travel. Chile's nature really impressed me: from desert to sea to national parks with glaciers, everything was there.

More insights into Pia's Chile adventure

Click through impressive pictures from the mine to the stunning nature:

Pia at the El Teniente mine
El Teniente is located 80 km south of Santiago in the Andes and is the largest underground copper deposit in the world.
There was an event for STRABAG employees to mark the national holiday.
And of course Pia also went high up into the Andes!
Alpacas and ...
Flamingos in the wilderness of ...
the Atacama Desert.
Torres del Paine National Park
Volcano in Conguillío National Park
beach view

What advice would you give other trainees?

Pia: My tip for future trainees: initiative is important! Approach colleagues in areas that interest you. Just ask if you can get an insight for a week. It pays to be open and curious – that's how you discover exciting opportunities and broaden your horizons.

And the journey goes on ...

Of course, this exciting adventure is not over at this point. Today, Pia is a project manager in the areas of logistics and sustainability – a great end and a new beginning at the same time!

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