Career

My story of change - Yessica Wunderli-Meyer, IT

2024. 02. 01.

From logistics to IT? Yes! Life can bring huge changes if we are open and dare to seize our opportunities.

Read Yessica’s success story here.

How does one go from being a student simultaneous interpreter to becoming an Audi coordinator for an engine and component assembly partner company?

Yessica Wunderli-Meyer: I actually started as a student worker in logistics as a simultaneous interpreter. Here, I was able to learn so much about the technical topics while translating that I was soon involved in training the staff of the logistics partner company. I loved this area and I understood it. I think that’s why I got a full-time job at Audi. I was a coordinator for a partner company, a British engine manufacturer here in Hungary. The aim was to have a company called Mahle manufacture and supply perfect engines and parts to order – from a few units to even several hundreds. My colleagues and me were responsible for everything from processing the requests, to collecting the parts and production aids, to planning the logistical processes, to starting the delivery. Then in 2015, I had the opportunity to be seconded to this company in the UK, where I was essentially the “eye from Győr” of the manufacturing processes. In both Győr and England, I had to react quickly and act confidently, because, for example, if there was a quality problem, I had to intervene immediately. I like to have several threads running and everything happening really fast. Here I had that one hundred percent. Variety, rush, and responding to challenges have always been at the heart of my everyday life.

It’s good to hear you talk so enthusiastically about this job. How come you changed?

Y. W.-M.: Soon after my return from England, I had a new set of challenges and responsibilities, as my two children were born. When I was planning my return to work, I knew that, although I loved my job in logistics, a new opportunity that could better accommodate my schedule and family life would be ideal for me. I felt lucky, because the number of specialist areas and jobs at Audi is almost endless, so I knew there was a realistic chance of finding a job that better suited my new life situation.

Where did the idea of IT come from?

Y. W.-M.: IT issues have always kept emerging in connection with my work. There was an IT system within logistics that only a few of us knew the ins and outs of. I loved things related to IT. It's true that I've only ever been immersed in it in accordance with my tasks, but I've always been very interested in it at a user level.

When I was approached by my HR officer as I was about to return to work, I immediately mentioned IT and luckily I found a receptive ear. Even though I had never worked in IT before, I had the opportunity to have an introductory talk with IT managers. It was a very big deal for me. I was very happy that they were so open to my request, both in HR and IT, even with my background in logistics.

I’m aware that with life comes constant change. I think it’s an opportunity to be seized rather than a problem.

Still, I was terribly nervous before the interview. I knew there was a lot at stake and I also knew that despite all my fears, I wanted it so much. During the interviews, I openly said that I had only worked in logistics before, but that my job also included IT-related tasks and that I was interested in this field.

I also had proficient English or German language skills. The first round was followed by a personal job interview, where, as it turned out, I was interviewed for both an SAP and a NON-SAP job. I used SAP in logistics back then, and after all these years I was still able to recall more than 30 modules in the interview – which was a great success for me. I was confident that, based on my competences, there would be a job in the field that I could do – with a lot of learning. So I became a Product Owner in the NON-SAP area. I was promised that I would not be expected to develop software (she laughs), but rather to optimise and support the business processes related to software development.

What was the first period like in such a new field?

Y. W.-M.: I will never forget the first day! I became the project manager of a production support software called MMS together with a colleague. I came into the office and new words and phrases were buzzing my head – which I can honestly say I had no idea what they meant at first. I didn’t think I was going to make it. There was so much to learn: keeping in touch with the people in Ingolstadt – through them with Mexico, Neckarsulm, Brussels, China – software developers, and quality assurance.

In the beginning, I had to be very open during my training time; I had a lot of fear and questions. Many times the thought crossed my mind, "Oh, what am I gonna do here?”(she laughs)

But fortunately, my colleagues replaced my self-confidence. It was tough for me to sit on the IT development team, but I can't develop or program. However, after a while I realised that, as I was promised when I was hired, this was not my job. I don't have to be a developer, but I am the safety net over our developers and our projects. I noticed the parallels with my earlier job, and in many cases my previous experience led me to meet the challenges of the projects here.

My colleagues, and my successes in my career, which came one after the other, confirmed that I do have a place in the team and that I can have good ideas even if I had never worked in IT before.

If there was something I didn't understand, my colleagues would find the best way to help me. I think it's very important to be open to help, to brand a new job and task, because this is the basis for our own development.

As I came to the team in a new job, the tasks were not yet fully developed. Together with my manager and colleagues, we have developed its elements and characteristics. In the team, we always take into account who has what strengths and how they can best support the team. So the main focus for me has been communication with our foreign partners, with professional input from the developers.

You have developed in a lot of aspects during your time here. What would you highlight?

Y. W.-M.: I think anyone can learn a technical subject. But taking responsibility and making decisions independently with such new knowledge is not that easy. I admit that I was afraid of it at the beginning, but fortunately I was gradually given the tasks and gradually I had the freedom to make decisions. I was constantly mentored and monitored by my managers to ensure that I was developing at a healthy pace. Thanks to this, I now believe and experience that I can do it. It feels very good.

My self-confidence has improved a lot and I needed the challenge that came with the change of career.

Now I know that even if I can't get something done in 1 or 2 days, we will still be able to do it. So instead of panicking, I just keep calmly looking for solutions. So my complex thinking has also improved a lot.

What are you most proud of?

Y. W.-M.: My colleagues are hardcore developers whose work I can only admire. I'm proud to be able to contribute to the team's success as a non-traditional IT employee among the many professional developers. I can accomplish my tasks among them, and they have fully embraced me, so my work is an important part of what we do.

Also, I think that my real strength is my ability liaising. I have developed a very good relationship with the colleagues in Ingolstadt. We all work together to ensure that day-to-day tasks run smoothly.

It feels good to say: I’ve found my place, I’ve found myself! Audi gave me this opportunity, but I needed the courage to take it. I’ve made huge progress and now I know that, in a supportive environment, I can stand the test anywhere.

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