Hello Annika, first of all, congratulations on your master’s degree in business informatics from the University of Göttingen. We are delighted that you have now decided to take up a permanent position with us after working as a student trainee. That made us curious:
What aspects of studies particularly fascinated you and motivated you to choose this degree program?
Annika: I found the interface between business and IT particularly exciting in the business informatics program. I was already interested in the economic sector when I was at school, and I also took my A-levels with a focus on economics. I thought the connection to IT was cool because it provided a technical perspective.
How did you become aware of Arineo, and which aspects of your work as a working student did you find particularly interesting or challenging?
Annika: I attended a guest lecture by Arineo at the beginning of my master’s program. I found the corporate concept of cooperative organization and the agile project methodology particularly appealing. As a working student, I mainly worked on training materials and conducted training sessions for other employees, as well as on ERP process documentation. This was exciting because I learned about many different areas and ERP system modules.
How did you come up with the topic for your master’s thesis?
Annika: My master’s thesis focused on generative artificial intelligence and its impact on how developers and consultants work in their daily routines. For this, I was able to interview various employees at Arineo. The topic developed partly from a previous seminar paper at university and partly from Arineo’s focus on AI and new developments in this field.
Has working with experienced professionals at Arineo influenced your personal and professional development? And if so, to what extent?
Annika: By working with experienced professionals, I gained deep insights into a consultant’s work and made a conscious decision about my career path. Additionally, I have learned a lot about working on projects, technical know-how, and personal soft skills.
We are delighted that you have decided to join us as an ERP consultant. What motivated you to choose this, and what does your job involve?
Annika: As an ERP consultant at Arineo, I help customers implement an ERP system (D365). An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system maps all business processes within a system, from purchasing and warehouse processes to production, sales processes, and finance. To do this, I work with the client to determine the requirements, adjust the system accordingly, or describe them in a design (if development is required). I also test new developments and functions and show customers how to use them.
What are your professional plans moving forward? How does Arineo support you on your career path?
Annika: I chose to focus on the production area. Arineo gave me the freedom to choose my field of specialization and provided me with experts to support me in this development.
What opportunities does Arineo offer you to successfully balance studies, career, and personal interests?
Annika: Arineo offers flexible working hours and a flexible workplace. This made it very easy to combine work with my studies, especially as the university in Göttingen is only a 15-minute walk from the office. Even as a full-time employee, I have had good experiences working from home or balancing my working hours with personal commitments.
Diversity is essential for teamwork. Do you have examples of how Arineo fosters an inclusive and diverse work environment, especially for young women?
Annika: During the company’s initial phase, all colleagues worked together on values that are important to them in the corporate context. In total, 15 values were established. One of these is “Fair, equal, and just” – it stands for fair treatment of one another, extending to promoting equality. For me, the fact that this value is practiced can be seen, for example, in the encouragement of exchange between younger and older colleagues. Through this, younger colleagues are definitely better integrated into existing teams.
From flexible working hours to team activities, what other aspects of Arineo’s work culture contribute to your enjoyment of coming to work?
Annika: Arineo is very cooperatively orientated. All my colleagues are very friendly and helpful. Here, I can perform my tasks independently and take on my own personal responsibility, knowing that I will receive immediate support if I need it. Moreover, team events and exchanges are highly valued – from the Arineo party twice a year to regular personal meetings and activities with others in the department.
