Testimonial
PreMaster Program

Development

My name is Kilian and I’m currently on the PreMaster Program at Bosch Rexroth.

I grew up in a small town in Upper Franconia in Bavaria. This beautiful area held me in its grasp until I graduated from high school, but after that I wanted to get out and explore the world. I began an apprenticeship in industrial technology specializing in mechanical engineering, which I completed in Hamburg. In my subsequent position as a construction site planner for an offshore wind farm, I was able to help the service technicians and assist them with the annual maintenance of wind turbines.

I immediately wanted to understand down to the smallest detail how energy is converted from wind to electrical energy, how it is transmitted and made available to us in a usable form.

The PreMaster Program enables me to develop not only professionally but also personally. During the business phase, I contribute toward the future of the company as a fully-fledged associate. In the master’s phase, it’s the other way round, and Bosch Rexroth supports me in my future professional career.

What is your current position?

My PreMaster host department is the motor control team in the development of firmware and software. I soon realized that seemingly simple problems encountered during lectures can require a much more elegant solution in practice. The daily quest for progress and improvement, always in line with the underlying theory, is what fascinates me about the work of an engineer within my team. Every day, I realize how important the contents of the lectures are in order to overcome real-life challenges. This really motivates me to do well in my master’s degree so that I’m as prepared as I can be for my future working life.

What made you decide on the PreMaster Program?

I believe that the PreMaster Program is a valuable opportunity for any motivated person to gain practical experience – ideally in a field that really interests you. Right from the word go, you are entrusted with a project task that you can really get to grips with independently. This teaches you a great deal and also serves as the best possible preparation for a master’s degree.

I know that the theory taught in lectures is extremely important. However, I have also learned that practical work experience is essential if you are to become a good engineer.

In addition to my host department – the department in which you gain most experience – I was also able to spend time in two other departments. This is where I see the biggest advantage, as I can learn from experienced colleagues while also building up a network.

What opportunities for training have you had so far?

Right at the start of my business phase, I attended a training course for agile software development. This enabled me to get to work within the team straight away and allowed me to contribute my potential without the need for an extended familiarization period. However, this knowledge not only comes in useful from a professional point of view, but also for private projects. I believe that agility is much more than a working method and is actually an attitude. To implement what we have learned and acquire experience for my future career, I now lead team meetings in which we work together using Scrum methodology.

What was your best moment?

From my very first day, I was given the opportunity to be involved in the new ctrlX AUTOMATION solution, which sets new benchmarks in terms of productivity and safety. This level of responsibility and, above all, the trust shown in new associates motivate me each and every day. My first task was to program a new drive command for our motor control system. When this was executed without errors for the first time, the happiness I felt was priceless. I had successfully solved what initially seemed a very complex task, not least thanks to my colleagues who are there to advise me and who teach me such a lot. My self-reliance and independence are also crucial for my next task, which is to optimize our firmware.

What made you decide on Bosch Rexroth?

I genuinely feel that the whole world is my home. I don't see my work as being tied to one place. It is important to me that my work is international, be that through my workplace, my colleagues, my partner departments, or our customers. Speaking different languages, getting to know other countries, and understanding different perspectives not only allows us people to grow together but also, above all, the company.

Bosch Rexroth, which has locations in over 80 countries around the world, gives me precisely these opportunities to develop further in an international environment and broaden my horizons.

The solutions developed by Bosch Rexroth are innovative, the products modern and advanced. In line with the company motto, “We move. You win.”, people are always open to new ideas. In my opinion, there is a good reason why Bosch Rexroth is a world-leading specialist in drive and control technologies. Bosch Rexroth provides opportunities for further training, enabling its associates to keep up to date with the latest technology and to help develop it further. When planning my upcoming placements, I am given assistance to find departments that match my areas of interest. I’ve seen first-hand during the PreMaster Program that employee development really is prioritized at Bosch Rexroth.

What is the corporate culture like at Bosch Rexroth?

Bosch Rexroth is the company that it is because of its helpful, motivated, and dedicated employees, and it has a very friendly atmosphere. People also get on well outside of work. This makes starting a new job and maybe even moving to a new location so easy. Bosch Rexroth offers a wide range of leisure activities, and here too, we set ourselves ambitious goals with colleagues. For example, as a member of the dragon boat team, I’m looking forward to training regularly on the river Main.

Networking events are also organized as part of the PreMaster program, which helped me to meet and get to know other PreMasters. But we also do a lot outside the program. As well as meeting up after work and nights out, we’ve also been to basketball games at s.Oliver Baskets in Würzburg.

It’s not just the products that make this company so attractive – above all, it’s the associates. Bosch Rexroth is much more than just a place of work.