Since my first day at Agilent, I've given quite a high level of responsibility and everyone trusted in my decisions immediately. My managers always appreciated the outcome of my work rather than expecting me to fulfil a certain image. This has given me the opportunity to do my job "my way" and this includes making my own mistakes and then learning from them.

Since my first day at Agilent, I've given quite a high level of responsibility and everyone trusted in my decisions immediately. My managers always appreciated the outcome of my work rather than expecting me to fulfil a certain image. This has given me the opportunity to do my job “my way” and this includes making my own mistakes and then learning from them.

I have started in support; and I am now also involved in marketing activities, which is a new area for me as a scientist. So you can see that Agilent is not a company with a rigid structure; things move on and develop. This is why I see a variety of future possibilities for my personal career.

Many colleagues have worked for the company for decades, which gives a stable feeling. I am looking forward to all future projects together with my colleagues and the friends I’ve made here. Of course, no job is always sunshine – but here I feel I am free to release some pressure when I have to.

My advice is that it's important to focus on a field that you are heavily interested in, like science or art for example, but understand that your interest in the subject will probably change over time. Don't accept a job that you find boring – no organism can grow big in the wrong environment. Never hesitate to try changing an unpleasant work situation – either it's improving or you know when it's time to move on. Stay curious – there's a lot to find out everywhere!

In 2011, I found out that Agilent’s Waldbronn site offered the opportunity to gain a bachelor degree in Life Science Informatics through the Cooperative State University Baden-Württemberg. I was immediately attracted by the interdisciplinary combination of informatics and natural sciences – and also by Agilent as future employer.

In 2011, I found out that Agilent’s Waldbronn site offered the opportunity to gain a bachelor degree in Life Science Informatics through the Cooperative State University Baden-Württemberg. I was immediately attracted by the interdisciplinary combination of informatics and natural sciences – and also by Agilent as future employer.

The cooperation between Agilent and the university involved a switch between university work and practical experience with Agilent every three months. Prior to each practical phase, my tutor from Agilent gathered relevant topics while at the same time giving me the opportunity to work on diverse projects. The technical demands grew successively, but the excellent support enabled me to solve difficult tasks, and I always felt that I made progress.

Before I started my last phase in July 2014, I applied for my current job as production IT engineer. Therefore, a project in this department provided an excellent transition from gaining my bachelor degree to beginning my future job. When I actually started my job, I attended some introductory sessions that helped me gain a complete overview about our work in Waldbronn. At the same time, I could connect to other new beginners, as well as colleagues that have worked here for years.

I’m sure this approach facilitates the future cooperation. For example, now my job involves exciting projects, and I have a variety of responsibilities – but with the support of my colleagues, who have always been helpful whenever I need assistance. And who have generoulsy offered insight into their own work.

In fact, I have always loved the friendly atmosphere at Agilent, and I appreciate the uncomplicated, personal interaction among employees, which is a distinguishing characteristic of Agilent's culture. The complete trust I was met with from the very beginning, has enabled me to get the best out of my projects.