In January 2021, the first new colleagues started at our Dresden site. A lot has happened since then: a move to new premises, joint activities and a team that is continuously growing. Anika Lorenz, who was involved in setting up the site from the start, tells us how she experienced the first year and why she describes working in Dresden as 'constantly getting to know each other'.
Anika, you have been with ROSEN since 2017 and initially worked at the Lingen (Ems) site as a Data Analyst. At the end of 2020, you moved to Dresden and started setting up a new site for Data Evaluation. What brought you to this?
Exactly, I had previously worked in the Evaluation department in Lingen for three years. When I came back from my parental leave at the beginning of 2020, a position was advertised in our department as Team Lead in Dresden to set up a new site or a new team for Data Evaluation there. Since I grew up in the area, I felt directly addressed. At the same time, it appealed to me to take on a new task that was totally diversified.
We discussed the matter internally and it was clear quite quickly that I would take on this new function. My boyfriend also works at ROSEN; that was of course very convenient. So we moved to Dresden together in December and I prepared for the start of the new colleagues in January.
What is your job on site and what does a typical working day look like for you?
The type of tasks has changed a lot over the last year – depending on the current priorities. As a new Data Analyst, the first thing you need to do in our department is to complete a training program on how to evaluate inline inspection data. This takes a couple of months. In the beginning, my main task was to train the new employees in order to build a team that could work on projects together with colleagues in Lingen. As time went on, I worked more on site-related issues concerning organization and coordination.
I don't really have a typical workday. It's always very varied, which I really appreciate. I'm in regular communication with various Backoffice functions at the Lingen site and consult daily with our on-site Workgroup Lead about the team's concerns. I also deal with recruiting new colleagues and presenting ROSEN as an employer at job fairs. However, there are often organizational matters to be dealt with, for example in relation to office and kitchen equipment. In the event of vacation or illness, I still fill in as a trainer.
In January 2021, the first new colleagues started in Dresden – at that time still in the office of InQu Solutions, who are also part of the ROSEN Group. How would you describe the first weeks?
Very calm! Of course, that was also due to the lockdown. We started with a small group and were able to concentrate fully on the training. Both the colleagues in Lingen and from InQu Solutions gave us great support in all matters – even later during the move to our new office.
Talking about the move. After you spent a few months at InQu Solutions, you moved to your own premises. How was the start in Radebeul?
At the time of the move, we were only a few people. We moved from small sheltered premises into a huge office unit. The rest of the building was still completely empty after the major renovation. Accordingly, we started from zero, so to speak. Our colleagues from Lingen brought the basic workstations and IT equipment to Radebeul and were on site for a few days to install everything. After that, the priority was to continue the training as quickly as possible. We were able to do so again from day two.
Nevertheless, we first had to arrive during the first few weeks. This included equipping the offices and kitchens accordingly to provide an adequate working environment for the colleagues. A lot of things had to be organized and set in motion. Fortunately, I had a lot of support from a colleague at InQu Solutions. In the meantime, we have settled in well and I am optimistic that we will reach the standard we know from other ROSEN sites in the further course of this year.
How has your team developed since then and how is it composed?
We have grown by a multiple. A few colleagues in Dresden have already worked for ROSEN in Lingen before and moved to Dresden and we have many new team members. We are a very mixed team, especially in terms of cultural backgrounds. In total, 17 different nationalities are represented at the site, most of them from South America or East Asia. For me, this diversity is a great enrichment. It's exciting to learn more about the different cultures and what led the colleagues to Germany. This exchange gives you a whole new perspective on your own life. For most of them, it's also their first job after university. Since there is no classic training for a Data Analyst, however, the professional backgrounds differ widely. Many have a degree in geosciences. But there are also colleagues with a background in journalism or from the hotel industry, for example.
What skills does a Data Analyst need to have?
Primarily, the person should have enthusiasm for working with large data sets, i.e. evaluating and interpreting the data. In addition, there should be a willingness to learn the technology, software and processes in the department. In the daily work, decision-making skills are required above all when it comes to classifying the individual anomalies. Since we have many data channels with different information available, uniqueness is rarely given. Over time, however, you learn what interesting signal patterns look like. In addition, knowledge of English is a basic requirement, since almost all communication is in English.
Many new faces, diverse backgrounds, and a pandemic on top of that – what did you do to come together as a team despite these circumstances?
In the beginning, we were still a very small team that spent every break together. As a result, we quickly got to know each other well. Fortunately, as the year went on, the Corona situation eased up a bit and we were able to plan some activities together. For example, we went to the beer garden on the Elbe twice. Then there was the REWE Team Challenge, a running event in which almost everyone took part. That was a lot of fun and we definitely want to repeat it this year. Some colleagues now play volleyball together or do sports together using various Qualitrain offers.
The joint trip to the Lingen site in September 2021 also brought us closer together as a team. We were able to gain some new perspectives on site. We visited the Factory and the Test Center, took a look at inspection equipment and had an intensive exchange with our department colleagues. We went to the Hofbräuhaus together in the evening – just being able to chat with each other casually was a good thing. It makes a difference whether you only know someone digitally or in person.
What were the highlights and milestones of the past year for you?
The most exciting thing for me was to see how the team developed within a year. We started out with a few people, and every second month new colleagues joined us and had to integrate into the team. In the meantime, we have a big team that really harmonizes well. It's great to see that something like this is possible – of course also thanks to the support from all sides.
What challenges did you face?
The first thing that comes to mind is the time after the move, when we had to settle in and create a suitable working environment. Ongoing Corona was a major obstacle in many areas and, for example, delayed the first consolidation with the Lingen site. Luckily, we have a lot of space in the office, so most of us can work on site. The training would not be possible remotely in this form either. So I'm very happy that we have such good conditions here in terms of space.
A lot of space sounds like upcoming growth. How is the further development of the site planned? What's coming up in 2022?
Exactly, we can set up many more workplaces in the office unit in Radebeul. Our plan is to hire a new trainee group every second month. In the course of next year, the premises will then probably be occupied. Of course, the structures also have to grow so that we can continue training and building teams in such a way. This also means that we have to find each other as a team over and over again. We are constantly getting to know new people. I personally draw a lot of energy and motivation from working in such a dynamic environment and look forward to the new faces we will be welcoming in the near future.
Thank you very much for the conversation, Anika!
The work as a Data Analyst sounds interesting and you want to be part of a young and multicultural team? Then apply now: https://jobs.rosen-group.com/Job/2811