Yerzhan Baimbetov, 31 years old, hometown — Almaty, software engineer
About career choice
I graduated from Physical-mathematical school named after Zhautykov. During school years I participated in mathematical olympiad and won several prizes. This helped me to choose IT-specialty. After that, I studied at KBTU with a degree in information systems.
I also went to Johannes Kepler University in Austria to study computer science, and I became an engineer. I moved to Germany after studying in Austria, because I found a job in Munich, I developed software solutions for BMW.
About the features of engineering in Germany
Now I am a software engineer in Check24 it is a well-known company in Germany, which provides online service to 17,000,000 users to compare products and services on the market. I am working on the project Check24 Credits, which allows users to get online loans in a short time in any bank in Germany. My team develops smartphone apps and responsible for the business logic of the Check24 Credits mobile app.
Germany is strong in engineering, including IT-technologies. Germany ranked as 4th in the world and the first in Europe in terms of economic development. Therefore, there are many interesting and breakthrough projects in Germany. Numbers of projects give more options for work.
Large techno-market companies pay attention to places with a large intellectual resource, where engineers and scientists are well trained. Germany is one of the world leaders in this issue. For example, in Munich located the office of Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and the head office of Siemens, BMW and Allianz.
In Munich many high-tech, innovative companies, this opens up great opportunities for further professional growth.
I think one of the main advantages of Germany in conferences and meetings for engineers and programmers.
The first job is hard to get because companies do not want to mess with the beginners. Therefore, German students work in parallel with studying at the University.
Working conditions in Germany depend on the contract. Basically, it is 35-40 hours a week. The company can also provide free lunch, fresh fruits and other bonuses. The companies here monitoring the workplace conditions, everything must fit German standards.
The average salary depends on the city: in Munich, the salary is higher than in Berlin. But the average salary for software engineers is about 57,000 euros a year.
About plans
I want to keep developing our app and improve myself as a specialist.
Marius Riepe, 27 years old, hometown — Düsseldorf, engineer-architect
About career choice
In childhood, I was equally interested in painting and engineering lessons. I understood that these two disciplines are combined in architecture. In Germany, the profession of an architect is considered a division of engineering, therefore I am an engineer and an architect.
I graduated from two German universities and received a bachelor's and a master's degree. In 2017 I got a job in a small company that specialized in the construction of residential buildings near Frankfurt.
About the features of engineering in Germany
The good economic situation in Germany makes easy to find a job for beginners regardless of whether you are a local resident or a foreigner.
Since the beginning of 2018, I'm working in a large architectural company Ingenhoven architects, located in Dusseldorf. Here I can work on the big projects that engage the whole world. We work with companies from Germany, France, Singapore, Japan and Australia.
The working process can be long and difficult, but this activity gives me pleasure. I especially like working in a team with people from all over the world, it is an invaluable experience.
The standard working day starts at 09:00 and lasts until 18:00, but often I work overtime. It is normal to return home after 23:00. All project participants must work for 100% because every person on the team is the result.
A standard salary starts from €2,500 to €4,500 depending on experience, scientific degree and skills. This allows living comfortable in many German cities. Taxes and food cost around €1,000 a month. With all the expenses about €600 to €1,200, you can leave for yourself and waste on the car, travelling or parties.
About plans
I would like to be a part of many large projects that will leave a mark in the history of architecture. For now, I want to continue working in my company and develop as an architect.
Maria Kuznetsova, 25, hometown — Kaliningrad, hydro-mechanical engineer
About career choice
My engineering career began in the childhood. When I was 8 years old, I broke the radio. My dad read a lesson and told me to fix it. Nothing came of it, but I liked the whole process of logical analysis.
At school I fell in love with mathematics and physics, it determined my future profession. After school, I entered the College of pre-University training at the Technical University of Berlin.
After a year of training, I changed my speciality to physical engineering. I'm a hydro-mechanical engineer. Now I am studying and working in the clinic «Charite» in the laboratory for biofluiddynamics in the project of developing a two-phase blood model for research tasks.
About the features of engineering in Germany
Students in Germany are allowed to work 20 hours a week, but a full-time week is 40 hours. This is usually between 09:00 until 18:00. I had an internship at the factory, and the working day for students was from 06:00 till 14:00.
Finding work in Germany is easy for beginners, the main thing is the will to work. Any new sphere is an untilled field, and it is necessary to learn something new all the time. It all depends on your interest.
Engineers are in demand here. In Germany a huge number of large companies, including the giants of the German automotive industry.
Work experience is the most important component in hiring. Therefore, during the study, it is necessary to pass two types of different practices: Pre-trial and procedural. On the first they will teach how to work with hands: to drill and braze and the second directly engineering.
The average salary of an engineer — €4,000 - €5,000 excluding taxes. The amount is reduced for a half because of all the fees, but the figures varying depending on the field of activity and the company.
About plans
I'm thinking about moving towards Asia. I already saw Europe, and it is good in here, but I want something new. I want to explore the world and try to do something useful for humanity.
Alimzhan Rakhmatulin, 26 years old, hometown — Aktobe, systems engineer
About career choice
Since childhood, I was attracted to the technique, and to how everything has worked. I was fixing my broken toys, my house stuff. My curiosity helped me become an engineer.
During my school years, I set a goal to gain foreign experience. In 2015, I went to Munich, Germany.
In 2016, I decided to take part in a course organized by the centre for entrepreneurship at the Technical University of Munich. Now I am a co-founder of a technology startup and a development engineer.
About the features of engineering in Germany
German engineering is the founder of many discoveries and inventions around the world. Engineers in Germany are intent to accuracy in everything, including the organization of the workplace. This allows solving the most difficult tasks on time or with moderate time delays.
Many large companies are located in Germany, for example, such giants as Siemens, Bosch, Airbus. BMW Group, Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Kuka, ABB and others. There are also representatives of the IT industry: Microsoft, IBM, Google, Fujitsu, HP, Apple, even a small division of Tesla.
I would like to mention the German aerospace centre, where I had the opportunity to work as a trainee during the master's program. This is an interesting place where you can see the latest developments in Germany and ESA partners in the space sector.
In Germany good working conditions. Almost in any company, you will be provided with everything necessary for productive work. There are also options for obtaining the privilege of visiting gyms and other health facilities at the expense of the employer. It all depends on the companies in which you work — do not expect this in small companies. The employers of most companies arrange group trips to the mountains in winter, ski resorts, and in summer — picnics and hiking in the mountains.
You can take advanced training courses at the expense of the employer or your own. Large companies conduct their own training.
Finding a job is difficult in Germany for beginners without experience. In Germany, students start to work at the end of their bachelor's degree to gain work experience and recommendation letters.
Beginner-engineer with a master's degree and experience in Munich receives from 40 000 euros a year and above. That is about 2100 euros per month after all payments, taxes, insurance. Most of the income goes to the apartment rent because it is expensive. In addition to household expenses, you pay income tax and social benefits. The tax is increased depending on your social status. For example, if you are unmarried, have no children and have no health problems, you will pay 42% of your salary.
About plans
Munich has everything for professional development: from one of the best technical universities in Europe and the world to industrial giants — SIEMENS or BMW Group, where any student can take an internship.
In the last three years, the government and large companies actively support entrepreneurship, which gives a good chance to start a business from scratch not only for German citizens but also for foreigners.
