My first station as a Bosch trainee

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My first station as a Bosch trainee

Giuseppe • 25.August, 2010 @ 01:07 • Abgelegt unter: Forschung und Entwicklung

Dear blog-readers,

The first station of my trainee programme is rapidly coming to an end, so it is time that I followed up on my previous post and wrote about the exciting experiences I have made so far.

During the interviews it had already become clear that the focal point of the programme would be in my case ATMO, a department that acts as a provider of special-purpose machines intended mainly for internal use throughout Bosch. In these months I have therefore been working at their headquarters in Feuerbach (Stuttgart), which is not only Bosch’s biggest site worldwide with well over 10,000 workers, but also a history-laden one, having celebrated last year its first century of activity.

The first task I was assigned was to define a testing procedure for electric motors, with a focus on those for hybrid and electric vehicles: quite a challenge, given the broad variety of machines in circulation. However, the first challenge for me was to get to grips with the German technical vocabulary. I do speak German, but I realised pretty soon that, in order to be able to discuss the topic with colleagues and experts, I needed to study the subject again, this time on German books. And this is how the beginning of my career in industry felt almost like being back in the old days as a university student!

After this review of the theory of electrical machine testing, I was looking forward to its practical applications, so it was not too long before I asked if I could work on real projects. A big test bench for hybrid motors was just being assembled in the group where I work: this was a perfect opportunity for me to learn hands-on how to manage a project (paperwork included) and how to deal with the practical difficulties that inevitably arise when building such complicated machines. My colleagues were very helpful and let me take part in all phases of the realisation of the machinery, from assembly to delivery, going through tryouts and emergency repairs.

At the same time I became involved in other projects, while several minor tasks also kept coming. I helped design two other test benches and created the concept for a new, more complex one. It was very interesting to talk with customers and suppliers alike, trying to find the best compromise between technical demands and financial constraints while not forgetting target dates. I find it particularly tricky to deal with customers who are unsure as to what they need (!), but well determined to get it for half the price… This is when you need to step back, pause and think about your general strategy.

During this first station I also had the opportunity to attend a technical seminar and an international conference, as well as some official and unofficial events organised for, and often also by, Bosch trainees. I enjoyed these events not only for the interesting choice of themes around which they revolved (such as “Green Bosch” or “New-Generation Batteries”), but also because they created a good atmosphere for networking and allowed us to meet managers of different levels and from different areas on a not-too-formal basis.

All in all, it has been a very interesting station and I am happy of how things have gone so far. I have met some very helpful and knowledgeable people and I am sure these contacts will last beyond my time as a trainee. But now a new, exciting adventure awaits me from next week: destination China! I shall keep you posted from there, too.

Until then, yours

Giuseppe