In Focus: The avodaq Trainee Program

Hello Arturo, thank you for taking the time to talk to us about our technical trainee program. Please introduce yourself briefly.

My name is Arturo, I am 31 years old, originally from Venezuela, and have been living in Germany for eight years. In Heidelberg, I completed my training as an IT specialist for system integration in 2022 and then joined avodaq as a trainee IT system engineer a few months later. I now work as a senior IT system engineer at the office in Hamburg.

What motivated you to apply for the trainee program at avodaq?

I was particularly impressed by the exchange with the recruiting team and with Michi Robertz (Editor’s note: Michael Robertz, Senior IT Consultant & Team Lead at avodaq), who was to accompany the program as a mentor. I was also particularly motivated by the fact that Michi himself had gone through the trainee program years ago. That showed me that the program really works. His character, his openness, and how he responded to my questions gave me a very good feeling. In addition, the topics were very exciting, especially in the Cisco environment. I had already come into contact with this during my training and saw this as an opportunity to develop both professionally and personally.

What was your first impression of the company?
My first impression was very positive! The trainee program was to take place in Hamburg, and I was still living in Heidelberg at the time. I was immediately given the opportunity to come to Hamburg and take a look at the office. avodaq even gave me a trial day and provided me tips about the city. I really appreciated that. Moving to Hamburg from a smaller town after completing my training was a big step for me. But that’s exactly why I felt very well supported from the very beginning.

What helped you settle into the company?

My mentor provided me with excellent support. He gave me a lot of information, both during training and afterwards. Our intranet was also a great help, even though it took me a while to find my way around it. But the most important thing was that I could ask anyone for help at any time. All my colleagues always took the time to answer my questions, whether they were technical or organizational.

How did the trainee program influence or accelerate your career with us?

The trainee program contributed an incredible amount. I was able to acquire a great deal of technical knowledge. At the beginning, I had my doubts as to whether I would find the right entry point and whether the whole thing might be too demanding. It was demanding, but avodaq made it very easy for me to get started. There was a lot of input and sometimes it was difficult, but Michi gave me the confidence that I could master it. Many gaps in my knowledge of the technologies were filled. For me, it was a real stroke of luck, and then suddenly I had the opportunity to move to Hamburg. It was just wow. I had early contact with large customers and complex environments. I was able to really use everything I learned in training later on. I would never have gained the knowledge I built up here in such a short time in Heidelberg.

What doors has this opened for you?

I was able to work directly with major clients, learn about different technologies, and gain experience in large environments. I also got to know some great colleagues, some of whom have become real friends. That was a huge bonus for me.

What do you appreciate most about your career here and the company as a whole?

What I appreciate most is the trust that was placed in me from the very beginning. I was given a lot of responsibility and always had people around me who supported me. At the same time, I had the freedom to try things out and find my own way. This combination of professional development and personal closeness is something special to me.

What advice would you give to new trainees?

The trainee program contributed immensely to my development. I was able to acquire a great deal of technical knowledge in a short period of time. At the beginning, I had doubts about whether I was making the right start and whether the requirements would be too high. The program was definitely challenging, but avodaq made it much easier for me to get started. There was a lot of input and it was challenging at times, but Michi gave me confidence and support. This enabled me to fill many of the gaps in my knowledge of the various technologies.
Overall, the trainee program was a unique opportunity for me – complemented by the chance to move to Hamburg. I was able to immediately apply the knowledge I gained during the training in practice with large customers and in complex environments, and build on it to develop further knowledge.

Arturo, thank you very much for your time and your personal insight into your time as a trainee at avodaq. We’re glad to have you with us – we wish you continued success in your career at avodaq.