Jana, could you briefly introduce yourself? Who are you and what do you do at Local Brand X?
I'm Jana, 26 years old, and I work as a student employee in the HR team at Local Brand X. I'm responsible for many different areas: typically HR administration and HR marketing – for example, we recently represented LBX at a university fair at Hochschule Mainz. Office management and employee support also fall within my scope of duties. Additionally, I assist with accounting tasks and am involved in planning our team events.
Before joining Local Brand X, you worked in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the university. What appealed to you about gaining insights into the corporate world now?
I was drawn to exploring psychological topics outside of a clinical context and, beyond theoretical models of work and organizational psychology, to practically experience the factors that best enable employees to thrive and develop. At the same time, it was very exciting for me to get an up-close look at a growing company and its internal structures.
Was there anything that particularly surprised you during your first few weeks at Local Brand X?
What surprised me most was the variety of tasks involved and how direct the communication channels are. You quickly gain insights into different company departments and are encouraged early on to contribute your own ideas and solutions. I also really appreciate the relaxed and straightforward communication within LBX.
Does your psychology degree give you an advantage in your daily work? Are there any aspects from your studies that you can directly apply?
Yes, definitely. In psychology studies, you learn to listen carefully, take different perspectives, and not judge behavior prematurely. This particularly helps me in conducting conversations and assessing different needs. Knowledge from the areas of motivation and empirical work can also be readily applied to daily corporate life.
You probably view topics like communication, collaboration, and team dynamics from a slightly different perspective than traditional HR professionals. What aspects particularly stand out to you?
I pay particular attention to how information is conveyed and the effect different phrasings or communication channels can have on the recipient. From my perspective, unspoken expectations, roles within a team, and how feedback is handled also play a central role. Often, it's the small things that have a big impact on collaboration and willingness to cooperate.
How would you describe the company culture at Local Brand X?
I would describe the company culture as very open, straightforward, and collegial. For example, during lunch breaks, people sometimes play table tennis or a board game or two. I particularly appreciate the employees' sense of humor, which significantly contributes to a pleasant and positive work atmosphere.
If you could give other students one piece of advice for starting at a company, what would it be?
Don't be afraid to ask questions and actively contribute. Especially at the beginning, you can't know all the processes, contexts, and interfaces yet. Those who are open with others, show interest, and are willing to take on responsibility usually find their place at LBX very quickly.
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