My name is Karina Faust, and I started my training as an insurance and finance clerk in 2018 and successfully completed it in 2021. How did I get into it? Well, it was actually through the careers advice service at the employment agency.
My weekly routine was that I was at school all day on Mondays and half a day on Wednesdays, and of course I spent the rest of the time in the office. When I shortened my course, I had to switch from a part-time class to a full-time class, which meant that I only went to school for the last six months before the written exams. In the beginning, I found it particularly difficult to switch from school to work all the time, but after a while you quickly get used to it.
I like to think back to my time as an apprentice because it was simply a great time. There was always something to do, lots of events and meetings with the other trainees. We also often celebrated together in the departments or had breakfast together, which always balanced out the work stress. The excursions with the other trainees, for example to an escape room or bowling, were a real highlight. And the funniest moment? We were practising for the oral exam and went through a sales pitch for what felt like the hundredth time. It was already super late and Max had one last conversation with Marco in the role of the customer. He said he lived in a 40 square meter apartment and had a Chihuahua called Brutus. Nobody could keep it together.
After my apprenticeship, I started the business administration course together with Michelle and successfully completed it in May 2023. I also completed my training certificate during this time. I now work in the technical insurance department, which already sparked my interest during my training. I am now also a trainer in the department. I am really happy with my career.
My expectations of the apprenticeship were definitely fulfilled. I wanted to find a job that I would enjoy and that I could do for a long time. And during the exam period, it was important to me that I wasn't left alone, and Marco and Simon really gave their all. I didn't actually find the apprenticeship stressful. I always had enough time to study and always had someone to turn to if I got stuck.
The people in my year had a good relationship with each other. Michelle has since become a very good friend of mine and we still see each other regularly in our free time. Jacqueline actually ended up in the same department as me, so we work together a lot. Max decided to go to university after his apprenticeship.
The atmosphere in the company is very pleasant, we all get on well and often do things together in our free time.
My time at LEUE & NILL during my training was really great.
