Congratulations, Katrin!

The Reutlingen, Tübingen, and Zollernalb Chamber of Industry and Commerce has recognized Katrin Eisenlohr for graduating with one of its top marks in 2021/2022. We ask the newly qualified industrial clerk about the secret to her success and her apprenticeship at RAMPF Polymer Solutions. Picture top: Proud of Katrin’s successful training – Dr. Christian Weber (CEO of RAMPF Polymer Solutions, left) and Tim Rauscher, (Head of Customer Service at RAMPF Polymer Solutions).

Having obtained an average exam mark of 96 percent, is having to stand on a stage in front of 500 people actually more of a punishment than a reward for a trainee?

Not according to Katrin Eisenlohr, who was honored in this way by the Reutlingen, Tübingen, and Zollernalb Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in mid-November. Yes, the 21-year-old was a little nervous when she was invited up onto the stage. “At the same time, though, it allowed me take pride in what I’d achieved again,” she reveals.

Since graduating this summer, the industrial business management assistant has been working at the Customer Service Center of the casting resin specialist RAMPF Polymer Solutions in Grafenberg. We asked Katrin what she thought of her apprenticeship and why she opted to work in customer services.

Katrin, saying you passed your final exams with flying colors is something of an understatement. Do you have a few learning tips for future trainees?

Writing study notes helped me a lot when it came to picking out and summarizing the key information. Structuring content in this way makes learning super-effective. A little hard work and discipline also help, of course!

You opted for an industrial business management apprenticeship. Did you already know at school that was what you wanted to do?

I already knew at school that I wanted to do an industrial business management apprenticeship. What appealed to me most was that you pass through so many different departments, meaning you gain a comprehensive insight into how a company works. You can also reach a well-informed decision about what kind of activities you find most interesting and the field you want to work in after completing the apprenticeship.

And you opted for customer services?

I did, the work is very varied and I enjoy dealing with customers. In the context of customer satisfaction management, it’s always great to receive positive feedback. And if things don’t go so smoothly, we do everything we can to promptly rectify the problem. Taking on this challenge is an important part of the job, as is being diligent when it comes to order processing and keeping our databases up to date.

How did you end up at RAMPF? 

After obtaining my high school certificate, I studied languages at the Georg Goldstein business school in Bad Urach. RAMPF has ties with this school, so that brought me into contact with the company. What particularly drew me to RAMPF was the fact that, as a family company, it has solid roots here in the region, but it also operates on an international level. I applied for the apprenticeship and was invited for an interview. It went very well, and I found out a short time later that I had been successful. I got started right after graduating from business school.

Can you tell us about your apprenticeship at RAMPF?

As I said, an industrial business management trainee passes through various departments, from HR and marketing to bookkeeping and sales. At RAMPF, all trainees are assigned a contact they can turn to in each department. In actual fact, though, everyone looks after us. What’s more, trainees always have their own workplace and are immediately regarded as part of the team. That means you’re also assigned your own projects to work on independently. Generally speaking, RAMPF puts a great deal of trust in its trainees. Based on the experiences of some of my fellow students at the time, that’s by no means always the case. Furthermore, the combination of working at the company and attending vocational school makes for a good mix of theory and practice.

The training staff play a key role, too. In my case, it was Kai Augustin and Christopher Haid who advised and assisted me during my apprenticeship. That was particularly important during the coronavirus pandemic, as there was none of the usual communication with colleagues and other trainees.

Did things sometimes also get stressful?

Absolutely. For one thing, starting anything new can be tough. Every department has its own focal points and areas of responsibility, and you first have to learn the ropes. In customer services, for example, I was a little nervous during my initial phone calls to customers, but that’s now something I look forward to. At exam time, it was sometimes a bit much to have to sit down and study after work. You have to overcome the temptation to take things easy. However, RAMPF helped me during these periods. Even though I was just a trainee, I was allowed to build up a few hours of overtime and then take time off in lieu to study.

Your outstanding exam result has earned you a place on the IHK vocational training scholarship program. How are you benefiting from this?

It’s important to me to keep on learning new things and acquiring new knowledge. In mid-September, I therefore started a part-time Bachelor Professional of Business course. That involves attending classes twice a week from 5.45 to 9 p.m. for the next two years. Although it can sometimes be rather demanding, I know it will be worthwhile for both me and the company. The scholarship I won under the program means the course is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Thank you for the interview, Katrin. We wish you every success in your customer services work and your further training!