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Taking responsibility in the global environment early
As the leading global market and technology specialist in the sealing field, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies offers ambitious junior employees excellent opportunities to develop further in an international setting.
University graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit like Fenja Wally and Dennis Wally are being prepared at home and abroad for challenging managerial functions throughout the world. In short, at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, people who want to take responsibility early and are flexible and mobile have exceptional opportunities to lay the cornerstone for a successful professional career.
FENJA WALLY
Right after my integrated degree program, I began my career with the trainee program at Freudenberg since I was not yet 100 percent sure about the direction in which I wanted to develop at the time. The Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) program for graduates, with its opportunities to even work abroad on various projects, was precisely the right one for me. I was quickly able to build up my own network and work in the U.S. as well as Europe on a project basis.
The four months that I spent in Plymouth, Michigan, during my training period no doubt had the greatest influence on me. It was my first stay in the U.S., and it was interesting and exciting to be part of another culture, gain experience with new coworkers and suddenly have to speak another language in my daily life.
Another post that was meaningful to me was my project involving product marketing – the field where I have been able to specialize since the end of my training period at the Lead Center Simmerring®. With targeted product training after the training program and through close cooperation with my co-workers in product development, it was possible for me to build up solid knowledge about Simmerrings, which has always proved helpful during customer visits, price negotiations, and technical discussions as well as in my daily work.
My first impressions in my new work environment here in Ashland did not involve culture shock – no doubt due to my previous experience in the U.S. – but they were crucially influenced by the open and warm reception that I was given. Still, a complete move abroad naturally involves a different level of effort than was the case during my stay of several months during my training period. Starting with visits to authorities in Germany, the cancellation of all kinds of existing contracts, all the way to registration in the new country, the conclusion of new contracts such as rental agreements, cell phone agreements, insurance, and so on. Even with Freudenberg's support, they are not always easy to accomplish. Nonetheless, I can say at this point that taking this step was the right decision.
DENNIS WALLY
After my thesis, I was very undecided about my professional specialization and orientation after my course of studies in industrial engineering. Through the company's training program, I was able to try out various disciplines and expand my capabilities through intensive project management at different Freudenberg Sealing Technologies locations. In the process, I quickly realized where fun and work challenges could be combined. The training program also offered the opportunity to gain experience in extremely different cultures.
For example, I worked for three months in Eastern Europe, which even today helps me to better understand my colleagues and offer better support. As 18 months flew by in no time at all, I delved into the production philosophy of the lean program, which has accompanied me on my course. Striving for continual improvement and then reducing waste in processes are part of my daily routine.
I initially worked in Weinheim as a lean manager and later on the European level as a supply chain manager. Especially in the international environment, I felt the company's strong globalization in SCM and the complexity that lies behind it. Through these efforts, in particular, many opportunities are opening up to find new solutions and overcome limitations on international teams.
With my move to the U.S., it was not only a large part of my life that changed. I have also been given the chance to adopt another perspective as part of a new challenging assignment. The company's support is making it possible not only to change my job but also my cultural circle, even if it requires a major effort. This experience is making it possible to overcome every obstacle in my path, for example, in the form of problems with government bureaucracies, language barriers or shopping habits.
Your career at Freudenberg
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) is one the world’s leading producer of custom-developed elastomeric materials and precision-molded seals and products.
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