Harriet is currently completing an internship in HR Marketing at the BMW Group. In this interview, she tells us how she went from initial prejudices to genuine enthusiasm for the BMW Group as an employer and what highlights she has experienced during her internship.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO AN INTERNSHIP AT THE BMW GROUP?
"I've always been a Formula 1 fan and love fast cars. And my mum used to be a working student at BMW. But before the rumour starts that you can only get into BMW with connections: she now works in a completely different area. And the fact that she was once a working student 25 years ago can't be described as a connection. But although she works in a different job, she still talks and raves about that time. So, I thought to myself: why not follow her example and give BMW a try? Incidentally, her first car was also an old MINI – what a great surprise that I'm now sitting in one of these here at BMW Welt and can talk about my experiences at the BMW Group."
DID YOU HAVE ANY PREJUDICES AGAINST BMW?
"To be honest, yes! With such a huge company, who doesn't have the idea that it's a conservative and bourgeois organisation with a blatant hierarchy? I thought that everyone came to the office in a suit and was on first-name terms. Now that I think about it, I wonder why I actually wanted to do that to myself."
HOW IS THE REALITY DIFFERENT?
"At my first job interview, I turned up in a trouser suit and immediately realised that I was totally overdressed. During the application process, I was called on my first name, which has continued until now. The whole communication and interaction with each other is super relaxed, everyone can live out their style and you can be who you are."
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CORPORATE CULTURE?
"Warm, inclusive, exciting. Working here feels like a little adventure. You see so many new places, get to know new people and departments. When I go to another location or department, it's always like entering a new world. I always realise how big and diverse the company and my colleagues are. That's why it's actually difficult to talk about ONE culture - after all, there are so many. I love how diverse this company is and how warmly everyone treats each other. I don't notice any competition or power struggles."
WHAT CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE AT BMW?
"There are endless opportunities at BMW - if only because of the size and diversity of the company. There are many opportunities for advancement, you can get a taste of many areas and discover yourself and your talents, thereby realising your full potential. I have already gained so much self-confidence during my internship and I am much more convinced of my own abilities. I look to the future with less uncertainty than I did during my studies."
HOW ARE YOU SUPPORTED AS AN INTERN?
"I can give my creativity free rein, my supervisors give me a lot of freedom and responsibility. I've often been given tasks that initially put me off due to their importance and complexity, but I've always quickly realised that they work out well because they believe in me and I can approach things as I see fit. As a result, I can do a good job on the one hand and learn an incredible amount quickly on the other. My supervisors are now also able to assess me well and give me tasks that suit my strengths. As a result, I always really enjoy them and they are not just mundane tasks. And having fun at work is half the battle for me."
YOUR INTERNSHIP ENDS SOON. IS THERE A HIGHLIGHT?
"One highlight? There are many! My ‘transfer’ from intern to working student is a huge highlight and I'm still as happy as a child that I can now stay here for over 1.5 years! But there are also some professional highlights. Above all, the creative campaigns that I was and am allowed to work on. One of the campaigns I worked on will be seen all over Germany - on huge posters at universities, on social media and other channels - it's such a cool feeling!"
INTERNSHIP AT THE BMW GROUP.
Before Harriet extends her time at BMW as a working student, she has gained a lot of experience as part of an internship. Does that sound interesting? Find out more about your options for mandatory or voluntary internships here.
WORKING STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Of course, the path to a working student position does not always go through an internship. Find out more about working student positions at the BMW Group on the following website. Discover open positions and apply directly.