To spark interest in software development, AMCON relies on first-hand insights. After all, who could support interns better in career orientation and entering the job market than apprentices who themselves only recently made their own career choice? That’s why training manager Rolf Norrenbrock places responsibility for intern supervision in the hands of the apprentices. They take on the technical mentoring, are available to interns with advice and support, and continue to guide them even after the internship ends through a dedicated mentoring program. Even during the pandemic, our apprentices stayed in touch with former interns via video calls and other tools, supporting those who had signed up for the internship mentoring program beyond their official placement.
Support within the company and far beyond
The apprentices are responsible for everything from introducing interns to the company, supporting them during their internship, and providing follow-up support afterward — except for interviews and the hiring process. “We give interns a tour of the company and present our products. We also share our daily experiences from vocational school or university and introduce them to our development tools and learning platforms,” says David Ferneding, a dual student in his seventh semester. A dedicated roadmap guides interns through tasks and learning stations during their time at AMCON.
Each intern is paired with an apprentice, and ideally, they even share the same office during the internship. This creates a close working environment where interns can easily ask questions and receive guidance. They have lunch together and are included in the apprentice’s daily routine as much as possible. If interns remain interested in the profession after the internship and consider a training position at AMCON, the apprentices stay in touch to support them further. An important part of this support is the “Coffee with…” project, where interns get to explore different career paths within an IT company. Apprentices arrange brief 10-minute coffee breaks in the office kitchen between interns and team members such as project managers, sales representatives, and software developers. These informal conversations give interns the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the profession and gain insight into the soft skills needed in each field.
Support within the company and far beyond
The goal of the project is to support interns in their career orientation and help them better understand their own skills and interests. A welcome side effect for the apprentices is that they take on more responsibility, share the knowledge they’ve gained so far, and pass on their enthusiasm for IT to the next generation. Interns also benefit from having someone close to their own age talk about real working life. They often share similar interests, and the apprentices can easily relate to young people who are just about to choose a career path. “The internship mentoring program has proven its value. This year, five former interns started a vocational training program or dual study course with us, and we’re thrilled to have gained five new ‘mentors’ who will now share their experience and knowledge with future interns,” summarizes Norrenbrock.