The day began with a briefing about the activities planned by our trainers. The course of the day and the individual stations where activities were to take place were discussed. Before we made our way to the Pagoda Chinese restaurant through Göttingen and along the Leine, our trainer Steffen Engelhardt gave us a note briefly describing what motivation means and what forms motivation can take. The second section consisted of reflection questions that we were to ask ourselves during the hike. The questions on the rainy trail were challenging for some participants but easy for others to answer. It became clear that the questions were meant to have a deeper meaning for us. These provided an excellent opportunity to reflect and find answers to questions that do not typically arise in everyday work. We made several stops along the way for refreshments with drinks we had brought with us in our handcart.
In everyday life, there is often little opportunity to exchange ideas with other first-year apprentices and have deeper discussions, as work naturally takes precedence. The hiking day, therefore, offers a unique opportunity to talk to other participants in new surroundings. The weather, in our case, the constant rain, and the hike itself also made us take a good look at ourselves. Our conversations with others in the group were not limited to Steffen’s questions but also led us to other topics, allowing us to get to know each other even better.
One task was to find a conversation partner we knew little about and with whom we had limited interaction in the office. I chose Paul and gained a fascinating insight into his person and perspective. Through intensive examination, we could later write down the essential aspects of our character and share them with others.
The exchange proved to be helpful for the subsequent communication. However, once we arrived at the Pagoda, we could recharge our batteries for the afternoon. Afterward, we reflected on Arineo’s corporate goals and why Arineo places importance on offering IT training. From my point of view, this was an exciting task, as I rarely encounter such questions. In my perception, the majority of people take this topic for granted. No consideration is given to why companies invest so much time and money in training. This time, the task was not discussed individually but within the first-year apprentice group. This also fostered teamwork and communication among us.
Our last task accompanied us on the way back to the Arineo offices in Göttingen: we were to find one positive aspect and one constructive criticism for each participant from the hiking group and share these with the respective individuals. The feedback allowed me to tell others what I appreciated about them and what I thought they could improve. Furthermore, I – and presumably every other participant – could identify an area where I couldn’t maintain the necessary objectivity.
After arriving at Arineo, we gave the remaining feedback and then regrouped to share our thoughts on the hiking day and suggest improvements. The day ended with a relaxed get-together over a delicious meal provided by our instructor, Steffen. On this day, we strengthened our teamwork, gained valuable insights into other group members, and got to know each other even better.
