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Portrait Sophia Lella - Opportunities for Students at KHS

“Work in personnel development is extremely varied: from editing jobs to classic further training to creative tasks.”

Sophia Lella

Student trainee | Department: Personnel Development | Dortmund, Germany

What prompted you to apply to KHS as a student trainee and what’s now your main task?

I worked in Personnel Development before starting at KHS. As I’m studying business administration, I’m familiar with business management processes, especially those found in human resources. Work in personnel development is extremely varied: from editing jobs to classic further training to creative tasks. I can thus readily apply both the topics dealt with by my degree course and my personal interests in this field.

My main tasks are to manage and support our KHS Campus training program and to plan and commission new courses.

That sounds exciting. What is KHS Campus actually?

On KHS Campus our employees can book courses of further training which we plan and organize.  There are seminars offered by external instructors who come to our production sites and in-house courses run by KHS personnel to pass on their knowledge within the company. Besides the classic topics, such as IT systems, KHS products and leadership skills, we also offer our employees safe driver courses, factory tours within the Salzgitter Group and visits to breweries. A new further training prospectus is published every year.

You’ve been at the company for two years now. How would you rate your experiences thus far and how well can you combine your job as a student trainee with your studies?

My job’s a lot of fun and I’ve already been able to learn a lot of extra things through practical experience. I’m involved in the day-to-day running of things and people value my opinion. I’m treated as a full member of the team which I very much appreciate; this motivates me. There’s a good working atmosphere and issues can be openly addressed.

I’m in constant dialog with our employees and through this have already been able to build up a good network. It’s of great value to me to know who to contact regarding various topics.

It’s definitely not a typical student job as you’re fully challenged here. It’s a demanding job that also gives you a lot back in the form of feedback and recognition. Thanks to the flexible working hours and regular coordination with my team I can easily combine my studies with my role as a student trainee and wouldn’t want to miss the practical work alongside my degree course.

What’s your advice for a student trainee wanting to make a good start in a big company like KHS?

Be bold and open-minded and have the courage to contribute your own ideas and apply what you’ve learned in practice. Even if at first it’s perhaps not so easy to quickly find your feet in a new environment, you should take the plunge. It’ll be worth it.

“I’m treated as a full member of the team which I very much appreciate; this motivates me.”

We’ve talked about your job quite a lot now. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel and take photos or go to concerts. I’m generally out and about with friends a lot if there’s time besides my studies and my job. I love seasonal sports such as stand-up paddling and snowboarding and aim to regularly try something new. I find it important to use the free time I have as well as I can.

Site Dortmund in brief

Employees

1,300

Trainees

85

Average years of service with the company

18 years

Company premises

113,304 m2

Founded

1868

Product portfolio

Bottle washers, Pasteurizers, Labelers and inspection technology, Conveyor technology

KHS GmbH Juchostr. 20 | 44143 Dortmund | Germany