I'm at steute because they encourage me to ask questions.
Why am I at steute? Because working here is fun.
… because the atmosphere is good.
… because I'm allowed to solve problems on my own.
You have to see steute for yourself. Then you know why people are here – or should be.
I was lucky that steute agreed to take me.
I came to steute at a time when my career was not going so well.
The best bit was coming home afterwards – at that time I had a lot of job interviews.
My wife has known me for 20 years and she would take one look at me and say,
"That wasn't it. Your eyes aren't shining."
But when I came home from steute and got out of the car, she said:
"I know that look. You've fallen in love, haven't you?"
Here it's like in a family: parents to look after you,
brothers and sisters for you to look out for, even when they're annoying you.
This company has got under my skin.
I've been here for so long that it has become part of my identity.
I don't have to motivate myself to work because it's fun to be my own boss,
to decide myself what to do first and last, and not to have anybody telling me what to do all the time.
My work is my work, and that is how it should be.
I worked here for a very short time as a temp and then
managed to get a traineeship. For me, it was like winning the jackpot.
As a supervisor of trainees you have a lot of responsibility because you have to look after the kids.
You have to make them feel included. Give them not just easy tasks,
but also challenges that will help them grow. Then they are more motivated and say things like:
"I want to do that. It doesn't look easy, but I want to try."
First I did my own traineeship and then the company paid for me to certify as a supervisor of trainees.
I don't think this would have happened if they hadn't appreciated me.
I like working, and I also like taking a risk.
I've got two children and for each of them I took a whole year off work.
It can be difficult returning to a company after a leave of absence,
but here it was no problem, they were really flexible.
You are given lots of space to think and act for yourself here,
which is really important to me.
From the very beginning I had the feeling: this is the right place for you.
I've been interested in electronics since I was a little kid.
I used to solder chaser lights, and I also learned a bit of programming.
I like doing new things and helping the human race to advance,
designing new products, taking the next step.
It's always better to try and fail, than not to try at all.
If you're keen, you can go a long way here.
They like you to take responsibility.