“When I started my apprenticeship as an office clerk at ARGO almost 17 years ago, I was told from the very beginning that I would only complete the three years of training and that there would be no option for a permanent position afterward. In a small organization like ARGO, this simply wasn’t possible – and, in the end, it would also be in my best interest, as new professional environments would offer me different opportunities and I wouldn’t continue to be perceived as “the apprentice.”

All the more surprised I was when Dieter Bernold invited me into his office shortly before the end of my apprenticeship and asked whether I could imagine working in finance at ARGO – with him as my direct supervisor.

At first, I was completely speechless. I truly hadn’t expected that at all, as I had always assumed that my time here would end after three years. Dieter asked me to take the weekend to think about it and casually mentioned that I would have a single office so I could concentrate better.

You can probably imagine what my weekend was like. However, it wasn’t the new role that worried or unsettled me – it was the idea of having a so-called single office. For many people, that might sound appealing at first, but for me it was an absolute nightmare. I’m someone who needs people around me. Complete silence doesn’t help me concentrate at all – I need movement and life around me 🙂

So on Monday, I went to Dieter and shared my decision: I would absolutely love to stay at ARGO and take on finance, but I really had a problem with the single office. His reaction was completely relaxed:

“Well then, we’ll just try it this way – and you can simply stay with the girls in the back office.”

My only thought: I spent the entire weekend worrying about this?

Looking back, Dieter was often surprised at how well I was able to work despite the sometimes chaotic environment – with phones ringing, guests coming in, and trainers needing something. But it worked.

I was and still am very grateful for this opportunity and the trust placed in me – even though, after the parental leave for my two daughters, I eventually returned to the office in a project support role 🙂“

ARGO means giving opportunities and recognizing strengths – everything else would make no sense! 😉