What was your application period like?

I agreed with my trainer and the management that I could work as a production assistant until the start of my apprenticeship and get a taste of the job.

Was your first day and week at work great?

On my first day at work, I had a tour and two briefings, after which I was finally allowed to use the machines. I had a lot of fun working and learning with great colleagues on new machines.

Have you been able to settle in well at the vocational school?

Due to the whole corona situation, school lessons were unfortunately canceled in some cases and video lessons were held. I think the lessons at the vocational school are very good and I've already achieved some very good grades.

You've been in your apprenticeship for almost half a year now. Are you still enjoying it? Or have you realized that it's not for you after all?

I really like it, I've already learned a lot and I'm getting better and better at setting up the machines and adjusting the systems, for example. I would give it 10 out of 10 points.

What are your plans after your apprenticeship?

After the office assistant apprenticeship, I would like to complete the commercial apprenticeship at Bell. After completing my apprenticeship, I would like to gain some work experience at Bell.

Which departments have you been in so far? Which one did you like best and why?

During the office assistant apprenticeship, I've only been in two departments so far: HR = Human Resources (personnel office) and in Procurement. I really like both departments because they both give me different benefits.

Why did you choose a commercial apprenticeship of all things?

It offers very good opportunities for further training and is a highly recognized and valued apprenticeship.

Do you think you want to stay with Bell for a long time after your apprenticeship?

I would like to stay at Bell for a year after my apprenticeship, but I would also like to get to know other companies. The decision has not yet been made for me.

Do you prefer going to school or working? And why?

I think both are great. I have lots of friends at work and at school. But I would probably prefer to go to school.

Why did you actually choose this profession?

I used to love cooking at home with my mother. So I've always been interested in cooking and wanted to learn more. I really enjoyed going to home economics at sixth form. That made me want to start an apprenticeship as a chef.

At the beginning of my apprenticeship, it was a little difficult for me to settle into the world of work. The new environment and the responsibility towards others, which you don't have at school, presented me with new challenges. I think it's the same for many people. At school you are responsible for yourself, but in a company you are part of a large team, whether it is a department, a business unit or, for example, Hilcona AG and its employees. Everyone has to carry out their tasks carefully, otherwise it could lead to fatal mistakes. In the meantime, I have settled into the working world very well and I definitely like Hilcona as an employer.

If you are doing a commercial apprenticeship, which departments have you been in so far and which ones will you be joining? Which department do you really want to work in? Which is your favorite department so far

?

So far, I've been able to work in the Transport and Purchasing departments. I'm currently in the HR department. In the future, I will also visit the Order Processing, Accounting and Food Service departments. I would still like to incorporate something into my apprenticeship in terms of corporate communications and marketing.

My "favorite department" so far is the HR office. I really enjoy working with people and the varied tasks I get to do here in the department. I am challenged a lot in the department, can organize myself independently and divide up the work myself. I'm very pleased with the trust the employees place in me. I also like the fact that I can count on a lot of support from my training supervisor and my vocational trainer.

What does your working week look like?

My working week consists of three working days and two school days. From the third year of my apprenticeship, I'll only be at school one day a week. From Monday to Wednesday I am at Hilcona, Thursday and Friday at the vocational school in Buchs (BZB). At school, I'm studying economics, French, English, IT, German, accounting and sport as an E-profile business administrator.

As far as work is concerned, I always write down my priorities for the day every morning. Before I head home, I should have completed my workload.

Do you prefer to go to school or work? And why?

I can't really say that. I like going to school because I like the fact that I'm always learning new subjects there and it's also a change from everyday working life. On the other hand, I like working because it allows me to put what I've learned at school into practice and I also have a shorter journey home to Austria.

Why did you actually choose this profession?

I have always had a keen interest in economics, history and politics. Before my apprenticeship, I went to a grammar school, but unfortunately my time at school didn't make me happy. At some point, I started to think about how I wanted to develop professionally later on and it was clear to me that I would go to university. However, I thought it made sense to gain professional experience beforehand, not just through internships, temporary or part-time jobs, but through comprehensive training. So I came to the conclusion that a commercial apprenticeship and subsequent studies in history, sociology, political science or similar would be the right path for me. Things took their course and, fortunately, I got the apprenticeship at Hilcona.

Decisions that go far into the future, such as your future career path, can often be difficult. Nevertheless, I personally think it's important that everyone thinks about it carefully and asks themselves what really fulfills them and makes them happy.

You automatically become part of the company and everyone is valued for their work. I can gain a lot of valuable work experience here.

Do you already have an idea of what you want to do after you graduate?

After I have completed my apprenticeship, I would like to do the vocational baccalaureate. But not full-time, but part-time. That way I can work three days on the side and earn a bit of money while I study. A bit of a challenge is always good. Once I've passed my A-levels, I'd like to study and try out new things in the professional world.

Do you have stress because of studying, work and school?

Everyone has a dropout at some point during the three or four years of their apprenticeship, a point where it becomes too much. The important thing is to keep calm. If I manage my time well and, if I'm lucky, I can still learn on the job, then I would say I have an advantage. As long as you are actively involved in the school, learning is a lot easier. Of course, there are days when you have to work longer, but there are also days when you can leave earlier once everything is done.

Do you already have an idea of what you want to do after graduation?

After I graduate, I would like to take a vacation and enter the big world of work with new energy and gain professional experience. Of course, I will then also enjoy the time off from studying for the first time.

Are you stressed about studying, work and school?

Yes. Of course, I had to get used to the rhythm in my first year. School on Mondays and Tuesdays and work from Wednesday to Friday. That's a good change, depending on the department, I also had time to study in the office. In other departments, I was so tired in the evenings that I had to sacrifice my weekend. If you can organize it well and are really disciplined in your approach, there is hardly any stress.

Would you like to emigrate? If so, where and why? Or would you like to work abroad for a few months?

At the moment, I would like to continue working in Switzerland. As I'm not a globetrotter, I wouldn't even consider a short-term stay abroad (for work). But: never say never. I don't know what the future holds.

What are you doing now and what are you responsible for now?

I currently work in Purchasing as an Assistant and Central Procurement Services Clerk. I support my line manager Thomas Graf, my boss Catherine Grimaz and the purchasers with a wide range of tasks. My tasks include checking and filing specifications, filing certificates, creating info records, approving invoices... as well as the day-to-day business

Did you prefer to go to school or work during your apprenticeship?

To be honest, I preferred going to work. That was largely due to my classmates. During my apprenticeship, I couldn't identify and make friends with the people in my class. With an age difference of 7-10 years, I think that's a bit difficult. What's more, I always liked the practical side of business much better.

What was your favorite subject? And why?

My favorite subject at school was economics, because you could learn a lot of new and useful things in this subject.