Courage, curiosity, change: Anja's path to team leadership
Anja, tell us, how did your journey at STRABAG begin?
Anja: I've been part of the company for 37 years now. After finishing commercial college, I went to Portugal for a private stay abroad before starting at STRABAG in general administration.
In the beginning, it was all about classic tasks, for example calculating room rents. It became particularly exciting when we got one of the first fax machines, and a little later I got my first PC. A new boss then moved in with a notebook and I realized how interested I was in the topic of digitalization.
How did you get into IT step by step?
Anja: It was actually a smooth process. I attended a lot of seminars, worked intensively with Excel and digitized processes.
I later switched to Purchasing, where I created text modules, processed orders and worked in the traditional way with floppy disks. When a colleague dropped out, I took over her tasks and moved into user service.
I did everything that needed doing there: supporting users with a wide range of PC-related problems, providing on-site assistance and, if necessary, helping with hardware issues such as printers. This phase also included the switch from typewriters to PCs. In this context, I trained users and supported them in getting started and in their daily use of the PC.
I also took on individual, application-related tasks, such as simple Excel macros and a small application in Visual Basic. It wasn't about traditional programming, but about pragmatic solutions to simplify processes and support everyday work.
What were important milestones in your further development?
Anja: A big step was the merger of STRABAG and ZÜBLIN. During this time, I actively participated in the integration of the IT structures together with my colleagues. The service desk was already established at ZÜBLIN; as part of the cross-location organization, we supported and further developed cooperation and coordination.
In the course of this, a joint ticket tool was introduced. I was part of the training team and provided technical support for the introduction. Together with colleagues, I also traveled across locations and trained users in Germany and internationally, including to Zagreb, Moscow and other locations in Denmark and Chile.
Later, I deliberately returned closer to the operational business and also supervised construction sites in User Service. A large part of my work took place directly on site: I supported users at locations and on construction sites and accompanied ongoing IT operations. Many topics were new to me, so I familiarized myself with them step by step and learned a lot - always in exchange with colleagues on site.
Another important stage was specializing in the IMAC area. My team is responsible for the procurement of hardware for IT workstations. We work closely with our users to ensure that our external service provider receives all the necessary information for a smooth installation and delivery. This includes the right hardware, compatible accessories and user-specific software. My team attaches particular importance to ensuring that all necessary software licenses are transferred or updated when hardware is changed. We also take care of transferring the data and settings from the old device. Our common goal is to provide a fully functional working device in the shortest possible time.
Were there any moments that particularly shaped your path?
Anja: It wasn't so much one big moment, but many small opportunities. I was often simply asked: "Would you like to take this on?" - and I said yes.
The time when I helped manage locations and construction sites as part of the team was also formative. In this environment, I was sometimes the only woman in the team. The tone was not always the same as in the office, which was unusual for me at first. Nevertheless, I didn't let this put me off, found my place and continued to perform my tasks reliably.
However, a lot has also changed in my work over the years. We used to work with typewriters, there was no internet and no emails.
Today, everything is digital, networked and often remote. The speed has increased dramatically and so have the demands. You need to be willing to change.
How did you experience the change to a management role?
Anja: To be honest, I didn't want to be a team leader for a long time. But I observed a lot. When I got the chance, I realized how much fun it was.
Today, I am very proud of my team and the department we have built up together. We are continuously designing and improving our processes together as a team. We work together with other teams across departments and closely coordinate processes.
What advice would you give young people?
Anja: Have the courage!
Many thanks for the insights into your exciting career path and lots of fun and success with your team, dear Anja!