Age: 30
Study courses: Electrical Engineering and Information technology (Bachelor)
Duration: 4,5 years
Qualification: December 2021
Othman Masri (30 years old) successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and information technology, specializing in automation technology, in December 2021. During his studies, he worked for us as a student trainee and will remain with us even after he has completed his studies. Masri will continue to work on exciting projects at our company in the future.
When I started my studies in electrical engineering at the THM in Gießen, I was looking for a job that would both finance my studies and allow me to pursue my passion for electrical engineering.
Before I started my studies, I had already completed an apprenticeship as an electronics technician for devices and systems. So the necessary expertise was already there. It was by chance that I became aware of Hübner Giessen. When I found out about the products on the website, it was clear to me that I definitely wanted to work there. I submitted a speculative application and introduced myself in person. From October 2017, I then worked as a student trainee in electronics production. I am still happy to provide support there from time to time as needed.
I was taken seriously and my skills were recognized and encouraged. I was also able to arrange my own working hours, so it was very compatible with university.
A special event for me was to install self-built equipment at plants or ports at the customer’s site. Seeing products that you have made yourself in action is a great feeling. It was nice to realize that you were making something useful. At the beginning of my work-study job, I hadn’t been in Germany long and my language skills weren’t very good yet. By working with my colleagues, I was able to improve my German quickly. I am very grateful for that.
When it became clear that my bachelor’s thesis was due soon, I asked my boss (production manager) and the development manager whether they had a project that I could possibly work on as a topic for my thesis. A topic was quickly found and from that point on I swapped workbench for desk and was now working in development. My topic for the thesis was: “Development of a simulator to generate RFID sequences for testing a functionally safe chassis positioning”. I worked on it with passion and got super support from my supervisor as well as from the other colleagues from development. At the end, I was able to present the bachelor thesis to my supervisors from Hübner Giessen and the examiners from the university on site at the company. I successfully completed my thesis with a 1.4.
The simulator is now an integral part of the development process. It is now used by the developers to test a new measuring system.
After completing my studies, I was taken on as a development engineer at Hübner Giessen. Since the beginning, I have had my very own project. I am developing a new drive system together with external international partners. This requires a lot of time, which is why I am currently exclusively responsible for this project. I really enjoy working on this exciting project. The contact with international partners is very appealing, but I am also in constant contact with management and development.
For the time being, the project will take some time. For the time after that, however, I can well imagine working in the routine activities of development again. No matter what comes, I am very grateful for the opportunities Hübner Giessen has offered me and continues to offer. I was able to learn a great deal in a short time.
Age: 23
Study courses: Systems Engineering (Master)
Duration: 2 years
Qualification: July 2020
Mirco Stanzel (23) successfully completed his degree apprenticeship Master of Engineering at Hübner Giessen in July 2020. Now, after having completed his studies he will be remaining with us. Mirco Stanzel will in future continue to work on exciting design and development projects.
In addition to greater specialization, there are also differences in organizational aspects. The specialist content goes deeper into the subject matter covered during the Bachelor’s course. Of course there are whole new subjects that are only dealt with while studying for a Master’s degree. Above all, competences are expanded and deepened in the field of research and development of complex technical systems.
Master’s courses in StudiumPlus are organized alongside vocational work. That means that in contrast to a Bachelor degree apprenticeship, lectures and practical work phases in the company do not take place alternately, but alongside one another. While studying for a Bachelor’s degree, the practical work phases take place during university vacations; during the semester, students attend university full time. During the Master’s course, the lectures, practical work phases and everyday working life are dovetailed. Lectures are held mostly every two weeks on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; the student/apprentice goes to work as normal in the company on the other days, while the content of the practical work phases benefit their academical studies.
I worked on a total of three projects while studying for a Master’s degree, two for the practical work phases and one for the Master’s thesis. All of the projects were chosen together with Hübner Giessen, so the topics were both of interest to me and also beneficial to the company. That also enabled me to become integrated in the practical work processes in the company. The projects fitted in well with my tasks during everyday working life in the development department at Hübner.
For example, during the first practical work phase while studying for my Master’s degree I worked on a solution for monitoring the status of roller bearings based on an analytical model. When writing my Master’s thesis, I examined monitoring bearing statuses in more detail utilizing measurement techniques such as vibration and acoustic measurements and also compared the measurement methods with one another.
My tasks while studying for a Bachelor’s degree included working on a manufacturing process analysis of an optical encoder; this gave me a broader perspective and enabled me to get to know and better understand the processes in the company. And, I was able to contribute towards improving company processes. During the practical work phases, I was also able to take a good look at typical topics in mechanical engineering. For example, they included optimizing vibration damping of adapter shafts as well as the development and construction of a bearing test stand.
There are of course many career opportunities open to a Master’s graduate. From a personal perspective, I find developing, designing, calculating and verifying machines to be particularly interesting. Hübner Giessen offers me these opportunities in my position; and I also wish to continue working in this field. Topics that have now also become established, such as industry 4.0, are also part of my everyday working life that I wish to continue being involved with.
Being passionate about what you want to learn is the single most important thing about studying for a degree apprenticeship. Then preparing for exams and also the practical work phases are something you do willingly. That is why it is particularly important to think long and hard before deciding what you want to study.
Because the content of the practical work phases of a degree apprenticeship depend on the company, it has a decisive influence on the focus of the practical orientation of the topics during the study course. The cooperation with the company in selecting the topics for the practical work tasks was very good. A variety of topics were put forward, from which I was able to choose my favourites. That allowed me to organize the practical work in a manner that was particularly interesting for me and complete important tasks for the company at the same time.
Age: 23
Apprenticeship: Cutting machine operator
Duration: 3,5 years (can be reduced to 3 years)
Qualification: June 2020
Jan-Niclas Pausch (22) successfully completed his training as a metal cutting mechanic at Hübner Giessen in June 2020. He has stayed on at the company as a qualified skilled worker. What’s more, he will also be completing further training to become a state-certified technician specializing in mechanical engineering over the next four years.
I very much liked the fact that I quickly got to know the processes that the occupation involves. I also gained many insights into other divisions and was able to better understand the processes within the company as a whole as a result.
As a trainee, I quickly became a member of the Hübner Giessen family. Nobody talked down to me, and I was instead treated like a colleague of equal value. If I had any questions, I could always ask my colleagues or superiors, and they responded in a friendly manner at all times.
I decided to stay on at Hübner Giessen because I learned a great deal during my training and would like to give something back to the company. Hübner Giessen is also a great place to work because you know almost everyone personally and the teamwork and interaction between staff are extremely motivating.
I have already started further vocational training at the technical school in Butzbach with the aim of becoming a state-certified technician specializing in mechanical engineering. This is a part-time course that runs alongside my normal working life and will take a total of four years.
At the beginning in particular, there’s absolutely no harm in asking plenty of questions, and you don’t need to be scared of your colleagues. We’re all completely normal people! Even if you have any problems with your vocational school, the other trainees or qualified experts will be happy to help. Trainees aren’t expected to know everything, and when it comes to asking questions, more is always better than less.
Age: 23
Apprenticeship: industrial clerk
Duration: 2,5 years
Qualification: January 2020
Marvin Limbacher (23) successfully completed his apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at Hübner Giessen in January 2020. And he is staying with us – working in sales. There are three reasons why he chose this option: Stimulating tasks, super teammates and a job offer working in his favourite department.
It was a huge difference in comparison with going to school. I attended vocational college two days a week for six hours at a time. On the other three days I worked full time in the company. In the first month I worked in the production department. That is where I first got to know the products Hübner actually manufactures. It was a fantastic start, because it enabled me to understand a lot of things much better.
I thought the team of trainers were super and I found the insights working in all of the departments to be invaluable. I worked in purchasing and sales as well as in the development and production departments. I also got to know marketing and accounts. And we apprentices did a lot together. I also made good use of the subsidized gym membership.
I enjoyed the apprenticeship from the very beginning, plus I was given a lot of freedom to do my work. In my final year as an apprentice I was able to work in my favourite department for five months. I get along extremely well with my colleagues in sales. When my boss offered me a job working in-house in the sales office, I accepted immediately. And now, I have a lot of responsibility: I draw up quotes, look after customers and I am an integral part of the team.