Backstage: Management Trainee

In addition to my technical studies, I also attended several lectures and courses in law and business. Due to my diverse interests, I wanted a position where I could combine my technical and economic knowledge. When I came across the management trainee position at Anton Paar for the Business Unit Characterization at the end of my PhD, I immediately seized the opportunity.

My start at Anton Paar was anything but ordinary because in May 2023, the effects of the cyberattack, which Anton Paar had recently fallen victim to, were still very noticeable. Nonetheless, I was able to start on the agreed date, and what excited me from the very beginning was the flexibility and creativity of all the employees. Right from the start, I got to know many exciting people from various departments, which benefited me greatly in my later tasks. Additionally, I worked in assembly for a week, where I was fascinated by the extreme precision and attention to detail.

As a management trainee, no two days are the same. My tasks are extremely varied, ranging from classic administrative duties, market and data analysis, to project management. In my first year at Anton Paar, I was part of the organizing committee for the visit of the new subsidiary AP TorqueTec during the opening of the new technology center in Graz. I also had the opportunity to accompany a project for a technology transfer. Currently, I can apply my technical knowledge in the field of coatings in an R&D project.

The highly diverse tasks of a management trainee definitely require cross-departmental thinking, good communication skills, and creativity. Additionally, a trainee must be flexible and well-organized in order to provide strong support to the leadership team.

The management trainee program at Anton Paar is highly individualized and can vary significantly depending on the department and the leadership. Trainees also have the opportunity to shape the program themselves and try things that particularly interest them, as well as get to know multiple departments and participate in cross-departmental projects. Moreover, a trainee is always challenged and entrusted with a great deal of responsibility. Through the trainee program, one gains an overall entrepreneurial understanding, can grow with new tasks, and constantly develop.

What I personally like most about Anton Paar is the great willingness to help. You are never left to your own devices, and you can always learn from others. I also find the exchange with other trainees particularly valuable.