BMW Bank GmbH has a special way of motivating employees – by allowing them to take responsibility. This also applies to trainees such as Angelique Griebenow. ‘Individual responsibility is encouraged from the start’, she confirms. Angelique is also motivated by the wide variety of development opportunities available – especially abroad. The 18-month programme in the risk management sector includes not one, but two deployments abroad: Angelique’s projects took her to both Milan and Seoul. Another special feature of the programme is that trainees get to know other areas of the BMW Group, such as the BMW branch, as well as their main area of activity at BMW Bank GmbH. Angelique, for example, worked in BMW i3 production at the BMW plant in Leipzig – an experience she will never forget. She has been just as impressed with the wide range of technical and personal training opportunities and the strong feedback and mentoring culture.

From personal drive to personal responsibility.

Angelique’s dynamic career path reflects the breadth of the trainee programme. After graduating from secondary school and completing her commercial training, she earned her university entrance qualification and went on to study business administration in Munich. To help realise her dream, Angelique largely paid for her own studies by working as a waitress. She spent a term abroad in Sydney and one of her internships was with BMW Bank GmbH. ‘During my internship, there were lots of defining moments, which led to me later applying as a trainee: the enthusiasm of the trainees I met, the positive atmosphere and the exciting professional experiences’, says the 27-year-old. The independent way of working at BMW Bank GmbH suits her perfectly: ‘If you do well and ask for more responsibility, you’ll get it. BMW Bank GmbH is especially interested in candidates with a strong personal drive.’ Because personal qualifications are just as important as professional: ‘Better to do an internship or gain other practical experience than completing your degree in five terms’, according to Angelique.

A day in the life of a trainee – every day is different.

Regardless of the job or area of activity, Angelique confirms that ‘Every day as a trainee is different in every department.’ The only constant is personal responsibility. From the very beginning, tasks have to be coordinated independently. ‘You start off with smaller tasks and, if you work hard, you move on to independent projects. The guiding principle is to challenge and develop.’ On her first international project in Milan, Angelique was mainly in a supporting role – but for her second, working on residual value risk in Seoul and based in the heart of the city, she was already fully responsible as the main contact person for methodical implementation of the project. ‘The specific focus was on portfolio evaluation. In addition to the professional requirements, this also involved project management, of course.’ Successful completion of the project was the highlight of Angelique’s time as a trainee: ‘It was a unique challenge and, at the same time, an inspiring experience – both on a personal and professional level.’

Trainee today, employee tomorrow.

What makes BMW Bank GmbH different to other employers? ‘It trains its own management talent’, explains Angelique. In the field of risk management, this means teaching not just specific know-how, but also a broad range of knowledge – which is essential for deployment in different areas. Professional and personal development is a central element with continuous feedback and professional training equally important. ‘A personal development seminar helped me identify my individual strengths, for example.’ Angelique’s main motivation? ‘The chance to work abroad, the wide variety of different subject matter and, of course, the long-term professional opportunities at BMW Bank GmbH.’ What advice does she have for applicants? ‘As a trainee here you have the opportunity to get to know lots of different fields within a short space of time. If you are looking for variety and like to learn about new topics, this is the right place for you.’ The reward? ‘An international working environment, a good salary and flexible working hours with the prospect of a long-term career.’ In Angelique’s case, this prospect is already taking shape. ‘I can look forward to exciting responsibilities with an international dimension’, she confirmed.