Want to work in an international environment? It’s possible with the V.I.E program at ALTEN.

What is your current position?

I have been Digital Marketing Coordinator at ALTEN since December 2022. I take care of the company website for Germany and Austria, adapt the site, find new ideas and suggestions for improvement. I also support the career blog, do SEO analysis and create posts for our social media channels.

As a V.I.E, you are a graduate – what did you study?

I completed a master’s degree in German-French Marketing and Management in Paris.

And why did you decide to come to Germany?

I already spent an Erasmus semester in Trier during my bachelor’s degree. I just like the German mentality, culture, and traditions. Languages come easily to me, but I also wanted to use and improve my German skills. That’s why I decided that I wanted to work in Germany.

How did you come to ALTEN?

I hadn’t heard of ALTEN before. I heard about the V.I.E program at university, and since I had already decided that I wanted to come to Germany, I applied directly on the Business France volunteer page. As a V.I.E, I had to meet the following requirements: be between 18 and 28 years old, be a graduate, be a European citizen, and be willing to work abroad from 6 to 24 months. That was a perfect fit for me.

Four days later, a recruiter from ALTEN contacted me to ask if I was interested in a job in marketing at their Munich office. Two interviews followed, and a week later I got the job. Then I started looking for an apartment, and two weeks later I moved. Finding an apartment in Munich was a challenge, but now I live in a shared apartment with a girl from Germany and a girl from Norway.

What does your typical workday look like?

My workday usually starts around 8:30 a.m. I have the option to work remotely two days a week, but I prefer going to the office. My day always starts with a trip to the coffee machine, then I check my emails and take care of routine tasks. I usually have a few meetings, some of them with our parent company in France. There is always something to do and my tasks are varied.

What has been your personal highlight with us so far?

My highlight was also a big challenge for me. My colleague was on vacation for two weeks and I had to cover for her during that time. I was trained on her tasks the week before and then I had to hit the ground running. It was a lot to do both jobs, but I managed it. I was proud of myself, and my colleagues praised me too, which was a great experience.

What makes ALTEN a good employer and would you choose our company again?

Yes, at first I wanted to go to Germany, but now I’m glad I ended up here. We have a good atmosphere and a great working environment. We are multicultural and treat each other with respect. You get to know people on a personal level, especially at internal company events. I particularly like the fact that people listen to you. If I ask if I can visit my family, everything is done to make it possible for me to take a vacation.

How do you find being away from your family?

My family lives in Lorraine, which isn’t too far away. I love seeing my family, but I usually only visit them on holidays like Easter or Christmas. I like traveling and being on the road. I recently visited Salzburg, for example, and there are lots of other places on my list.

What do you think is typical of ALTEN?

The diversity – we have so many different nationalities. For me, it’s sometimes difficult that there are quite a few French people among them. I would like to speak more German, but with my French colleagues it’s tempting to communicate in our native language.

Another typical ALTEN thing for me is the camaraderie. After work, we sometimes do things together. Even during work, you’re never alone; everyone helps each other.

How would you describe the management style?

Independent. We have flexible working hours and are given a lot of trust. I work autonomously and have weekly meetings with my boss. If necessary, I can contact someone at any time and ask for help. But from the very beginning, I was allowed to take on a lot of responsibility.

What advice would you give to other graduates?

Be motivated and don’t be afraid. It can be difficult to find your place in a foreign country, but everyone here tries to make you feel at home. It’s easy to make friends if you’re open to it. If you’re unsure about your German, I recommend the free German courses offered by ALTEN.