Since September 2012, Sturm-Gruppe has been offering four dual study programmes. Now the first Master’s graduate, Felix Buchner, could recently be congratulated on his outstanding success. His career is a perfect example of a career made in Salching.
His interest in the Sturm-Gruppe and the profession of mechatronics engineer was already awakened at the career orientation event “Zukunftstage” in 2013. Here Felix got first insights into the company, the different job profiles, apprenticeships and dual study programmes.
After graduating from high school, he began his dual studies in September 2014, specializing in mechatronics at the Sturm-Gruppe, which began with basic mechanical and electrical training. Afterwards, he passed through various departments within a year, gaining an overview of the working methods and networking of the company’s individual trades.
In August 2015 he again took part in the career orientation event “Zukunftstage”. This time, however, as co-organiser of the event. Together with other colleagues, he told the interested participants about his experiences and impressions he had gained during his training at the Sturm-Gruppe.
He started his mechatronics studies at the Technical University in Deggendorf in October 2015. During his semester breaks, Felix worked as a mechatronics technician in the electrical assembly, completed various courses in the Training Department and supported customers on site with the installation and commissioning of systems. During his fifth semester, he successfully completed his vocational training as a mechatronics engineer.
He completed his practical semester in the Control Technology Department of the Automation Division. As an intern, he gained comprehensive insights into software development and programming of systems. Here he was also assigned his own small project, where he was responsible for hardware and software planning, electrical installation and commissioning.
Then Felix wrote his bachelor thesis in the field of LED UV curing of coatings in the Surface Technology Division. In doing so, he dealt extensively with the coating of battery cells for electric vehicles using the latest LED technology and achieved an excellent result.
After his bachelor’s degree, Felix took a dual master’s programme to further expand his already acquired knowledge and skills. During his semester break he took over responsibility for the software preparation and robot programming of individual plant components in the Automation Division.
As part of his master’s thesis, he was finally responsible for the complete control technology process of a fully automated cleaning and testing system for precision scales. He completed his Master of Engineering in August 2020.
In the meantime, Felix has been with the company for more than six years and works as a software developer in the Control Technology Department of the Automation Division.
His conclusion about his training and study time:
“I particularly liked the variety and flexibility of the dual study programme, the close connection to practice and the opportunity to actively participate in projects. In my opinion, students underestimate the practical experience they gain at work. Especially in technical professions, a practical foundation for self-organisation, communication and decision-making in the project team is essential. These skills cannot be learned at school, college or university, but rather through active participation in the project work in the company. Training with the Sturm-Gruppe has given me the best opportunities for this”.