Get to know our employees

My job ...
... is exciting, sometimes stressful and always multifaceted. As a commercial specialist for office communication, I've got to have everything in the office "under control" and maintain a broad overview. That demands a lot of creativity, and that is one of my strengths.

After I received my intermediate school diploma ...
... I applied at Deutsche Post. The personnel department recommended that I get my vocational diploma before doing an apprenticeship so that I would have even better career opportunities in the future. I ended up doing exactly that – and I'm still grateful for the good advice.

The place where I work
The Post has a lot of locations – that's why I didn't expect to be working in the Post Tower in Bonn. I was impressed by the building back then, and I'm still impressed by it! I really enjoy working in such a modern environment.

My apprenticeship at Deutsche Post
I started in the mail delivery department. I then transferred to personnel development and now personnel marketing. As an apprentice, you get to know so many different departments. What I also like: I was well received in all three departments, and I was given responsibilities right from the start.

My studies
To do my degree in media information technology, I moved to Gelsenkirchen. That's because they had the best degree program and really good facilities. Then, I wrote my master's thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute in St. Augustin/Germany. My most interesting "class trip" was an internship at Siemens in St. Clara/USA.

My application at Deutsche Post IT Services
Right before I finished my master's thesis, I attended the CeBIT computer trade fair, among other things, to meet possible employers. I was armed with my application. I had a really good talk at the Deutsche Post IT Services booth. I didn't realize one thing at the time: I just had gotten to know my future boss!

My training ...
... was great – and it's stayed that way! I already knew what "practical work" was like from my internship and from the part-time jobs I had as a student. The work environment at Deutsche Post IT Services was so warm and friendly that I immediately knew one thing: This is the right place for me!
What makes Deutsche Post special
Deutsche Post is the largest logistics company in the world – I think a lot of people underestimate that fact. Everyone is surprised when they hear about the number of countries where the Post is active and which kinds of enormous machines are used in places like the mail centers. A large company that is aiming for growth also offers secure jobs.

My studies
To do my degree in media information technology, I moved to Gelsenkirchen. That's because they had the best degree program and really good facilities. Then, I wrote my master's thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute in St. Augustin/Germany. My most interesting "class trip" was an internship at Siemens in St. Clara/USA.

My application at Deutsche Post IT Services
Right before I finished my master's thesis, I attended the CeBIT computer trade fair, among other things, to meet possible employers. I was armed with my application. I had a really good talk at the Deutsche Post IT Services booth. I didn't realize one thing at the time: I just had gotten to know my future boss!

My training ...
... was great – and it's stayed that way! I already knew what "practical work" was like from my internship and from the part-time jobs I had as a student. The work environment at Deutsche Post IT Services was so warm and friendly that I immediately knew one thing: This is the right place for me!

What makes Deutsche Post special
Deutsche Post is the largest logistics company in the world – I think a lot of people underestimate that fact. Everyone is surprised when they hear about the number of countries where the Post is active and which kinds of enormous machines are used in places like the mail centers. A large company that is aiming for growth also offers secure jobs.

More than package shipment

You normally associate the name of DHL with package shipping. But I was able to newly discover DHL on my own.

In October 2007, I began to work at DHL Supply Chain, Sector Home Delivery, as a project assistant in the area of IT Project Management Office (PMO). In this position, I am responsible for the IT Project Management Office in the Sector Home Delivery, which provides continuous project progress monitoring or resource monitoring in all IT projects.

My jobs also include support of the IT director in budget planning and in IT controlling. This includes cost-type accounting, cost-center accounting (particularly the monitoring of various departments) as well as the preparation of monthly reports on operating costs in the form of a target-performance comparison for management. Sound dry? Not to me. I also see this as a perfect opportunity to practically apply the knowledge I acquired while majoring in business administration with a focus on controlling and taxes/accounting/auditing.

My job is a lot of fun. All sorts of interesting assignments are awaiting me, ensuring that my work does not become a routine. I also really appreciate the working atmosphere at DHL Supply Chain: Based on my personal experience, I can say that our team has a very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. From my very first day on the job, I was accepted as a valuable colleague. I have been given – and am given – the impression that my work is respected. To me, this is one of the factors that makes the job at DHL Supply Chain, Sector Home Delivery, so appealing.

From apprentice to manager in 12 months

For Bea Balster, everything is moving quickly at DHL Supply Chain in Steinfurt. The 23-year-old was not only the first top apprentice at DHL Supply Chain, but she is also the first in her branch to make the direct jump from apprentice to manager. Since November, she is the youngest member of the so-called "Promotion Group Logistics 1."

This program prepares employees in all sections of DHL Supply Chain for a position as team leader."Our warehouse supervisor mentioned the program to me. I then wrote an application and was accepted," Balster says. The promotion group lasts one year. It consists of monthly seminars that explore such subjects as presentation and employee supervision. After completing the program, the participants will work as team leaders. "In the past, promotions were given to some people who had the job expertise but who could not lead a team," says Branch Head Witte. For this reason, the Group also set up the promotion group program in 2007. Sixteen other DHL employees are being trained with Bea Balster to become team leaders. The oldest is almost twice her age.

Between seminars, the students have to put together presentations. The branch has given Balster a small laptop for this purpose. This computer sits on her desk right next to the large monitor that she uses as a dispatcher to plan the daily routes of IT logistics. Does she have a problem speaking before much more experienced colleagues? "In the beginning, sure," says the 23-year-old. By now, the group has become good friends. "We often phone one another outside of work."

Bea Balster has taken steps to ensure that things do not come to a halt after the program ends. In the fall, she will begin a part-time college program in business administration. As a result, her Saturdays would be booked. Do hobbies have to be pushed aside? "I have been playing volleyball for 14 years. There is always time for it," she says. Her boyfriend also works in logistics. They know all about planning, she adds.