Danielas path to an IT apprenticeship | Telekom Careers Blog

How did you become interested in the profession of IT Systems Electronics Engineer, and what appealed to you about it?

I first became aware of this apprenticeship through a service technician I used to go to school with. What particularly appealed to me about the role of an IT Systems Electronics Engineer is its versatility and the fact that you are not limited to a single area of work. I wanted to pursue an apprenticeship that would give me insight into the world of electronics without being confined to it, as I enjoy looking beyond the obvious and exploring different fields. It is also important to me to have a job that combines physical activity with problem-solving and critical thinking—and this apprenticeship offers both.

Did you always know that you wanted to work in IT, or did that develop over time?

Before starting my apprenticeship, I had very little exposure to IT or skilled trades in general. My interest developed while attending a technical secondary school. Of all the subjects and specialisations offered, electrical engineering appealed to me the most, both in terms of career opportunities and its relevance to everyday life. I had already found computer science interesting at school, and expanding my knowledge in this field was an exciting challenge for me. So, you could say that my career choice developed over time—it was certainly not something I had always planned.

What do you learn during your apprenticeship as an IT Systems Electronics Engineer, and what does your day-to-day work look like today?

During the apprenticeship, you learn, among other things, how fibre-optic and copper networks are built, how networks are structured and interconnected, and how to identify and resolve line faults. At the moment, fibre-optic expansion makes up a significant part of the training, which involves a great deal of installation work, including fibre splicing.

Building and commissioning network technology—such as Optical Line Termination (OLT) systems—also forms part of my responsibilities. I am currently working in Network Technology at PTI (Technical Infrastructure Operations) Hamburg, where I contribute to maintaining and expanding Northern Germany's backbone network. In simple terms, this is the central hub of the telecommunications infrastructure serving the entire northern region of Germany. From here, internet, telephony and television services (MagentaTV) are provided. We receive assignments involving both network expansion and fault resolution for transmission lines and their associated hardware components.

The vocational school component of the apprenticeship covers topics such as the fundamentals of programming, network configuration, database integration, as well as sustainability in IT and IT security.

Was there a particular moment during your apprenticeship that has stayed with you?

I worked on installing a fibre-optic connection in a building that had already been occupied for three months. Due to scheduling issues, however, none of the residents had internet access. We managed to get every household connected that day, and seeing the residents' relief was incredibly rewarding. Your motivation at work is completely different when you are standing in front of the people who directly benefit from what you do.

Which skills or strengths do you consider particularly important for this profession?

A strong sense of responsibility and patience are essential, as we work within critical infrastructure and carry a great deal of responsibility. After all, many businesses and public institutions rely on our work. Our assignments require careful planning and can sometimes involve long waiting periods, so it is important to stay calm and approach tasks methodically and conscientiously.

What challenges have you encountered during your apprenticeship, and how did you deal with them?

The biggest challenge for me so far was the period of my apprenticeship spent in an office-based role. I realised that I simply do not thrive in a traditional office environment. However, this is a mandatory part of the training programme. Fortunately, an apprentice from the year above mine was working in the same department, so we were able to support one another.

At the moment, my greatest challenge is deciding which area I would like to specialise in after completing my apprenticeship. There are so many opportunities available, all with their own advantages and disadvantages, which makes the decision difficult.

Have there been situations where you felt you had to prove yourself as a woman working in a technical profession?

During my apprenticeship, there were situations in which colleagues underestimated me because of my physical stature. Rather than discouraging me, this motivates me to prove that I am neither too weak nor too small for the job. In our profession, there are tools and equipment designed for every task, which makes assumptions like these unnecessary.

What have you personally gained from your apprenticeship, both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I have acquired a great deal of practical and technical knowledge. On a personal level, I have developed an “anything is possible if you believe in yourself” mindset. For example, I programmed a piece of software at school despite having had no previous experience in programming. I installed cabling throughout an entire building even though I had never held a power drill before. Today, I approach new challenges much more optimistically than I did before starting my apprenticeship.

What advice would you give to young women who are considering starting an apprenticeship in IT?

If you are thinking about pursuing a career in IT, my advice would be to simply give it a try and take the time to explore the many different career paths the field has to offer. IT is incredibly diverse, and you might miss out on exciting opportunities if you let the unfamiliar or the uncomfortable hold you back. Curiosity is one of the most important qualities you can have—be willing to try new things without being afraid of making mistakes or breaking something along the way.

Note: This article was originally published by IT Girls and is republished on our careers page with the kind permission of IT Girls.

You can find the original article here.