Simon Profanter gained valuable professional experience at Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in Jena, Germany. He was supported by an Erasmus+ scholarship for internships abroad. Now, he tells us about his insights and responsibilities.

For how long did you do your internship? What were your tasks?

After a personal interview, in which neither my SBWLs nor my grade point average or other WU-relevant topics were discussed, I started my six-month internship. My tasks were mostly concerned with the analysis and optimization of existing production processes, as well as the implementation of lean measures in everyday work. Thanks to the team and their trust in interns, I was able to take on a lot of responsibility from the very beginning and work on many projects independently.

Since Meditec in Jena also produces its instruments, this naturally was extremely exciting from the perspective of a logistics expert. It was very interesting to feel the dynamics between the individual company divisions, such as the works council, the management level, and assembly. Thanks to a shift system that was supposed to keep production running even during the Corona crisis, I was able to work from home as well as from the office. As a result, contact with the team was not lost and I was able to continue my practical tasks in production.

What was it like to work in another country? Were you able to cover your living expenses abroad with the Erasmus+ grant / internship salary?

The Erasmus+ grant was definitely a positive support for me in Glasgow as well as in Jena. A large part of the living costs are covered and going abroad is certainly easier. I am happy about the professional and above all personal experiences I was able to gain during my stays abroad. Without them, I certainly would not have started my Master in Supply Chain Management at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.