Testimonial
Internship

Internal communication

My name’s Julia, I’m 26 and I’m originally from the Stuttgart region. For my bachelor's degree, I studied science communication at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with a view to going into science journalism.

However, after completing internships in PR as well as in content and online marketing, I decided to specialize in communication within companies instead.

My fascination with internal strategic communication is based on my passion for making information understandable for different target groups. I assist employees in this way and support them in giving their best and being able to develop in their job.

How did you come to be at Bosch Rexroth?

Robert Bosch GmbH was recommended to me as an employer by a fellow student so when I was looking for a position, I focused on Bosch and its subsidiaries. I also wanted to be fairly central to Stuttgart, which made the decision easier. My goal was to gain initial experience in internal communications within a corporate group. The fact that I ended up at Bosch Rexroth in Löwentor was a happy coincidence, as this decision was not only mine of course. I’m still very happy to be here.

What were you able to contribute during your internship?

I was able to help out the relatively small team of two people with internal communication and organizational development in day-to-day tasks. I was also able to directly apply the knowledge I had gained during my studies and promote communicative changes.

For example, I remember helping to organize the town hall meeting, where the management prepares and presents strategic information for the entire workforce. I only knew this format from theory and was now able to implement it in practice for the first time. Another very valuable experience was developing and organizing an internal event format to improve the exchange of knowledge between the different departments.

And an absolute highlight of my internship was the spontaneous modeling for a product photo shoot in the Stuttgart plant!

What responsibilities were you given?

Classic tasks that I took on during my internship included mainly designing and preparing content for texts for the internal newsletter, the blog in our Enterprise Social Network (ESN), creating communities, flyers, and posters, and launching new internal channels, formats, and events.

I contributed primarily by expanding internal communication via the ESN as an active channel, designing and establishing internal event formats, and expanding communication with interns, working students, and graduate students at the location. Furthermore, due to the diverse interfaces of internal communication, I was able to get to know and work with many other departments.

By being proactive and open to new tasks right from the start, I have been able to steadily expand my scope of responsibilities, build up a wide network, and thus play a decisive role in shaping my experience here. This included, for example, attending and participating in internal formats such as Lunch Roulette at the Löwentor site, the Screw-up Nights, or “The Spark” event series, which have given me lasting inspiration.

What makes your work at Bosch Rexroth special?

As the Löwentor location is a very manageable size, this also has an effect on the working atmosphere. After a short period of familiarization, you feel right at home here. The colleagues on my floor were all very friendly and open, which helped me to make a direct connection and quickly feel integrated. Our department is also very close to where the management sit, meaning I was also able to get to know various managers from different departments of the company very quickly.

The atmosphere at this location is very friendly and often quite informal. Everyone interacts as equals and this fosters an environment of mutual respect. This also has a positive impact on the working atmosphere. The hierarchical structures that are often typical of large corporations are of course also noticeable in Löwentor. However, this is changing – slowly but surely.

Bosch Rexroth is breaking down old structures at the Löwentor location, for example, with open office spaces, a clean desk policy, bookable meeting rooms, and coffee lounges. Organizational development and internal communication support both managers and associates in implementing the required changes by specifically restructuring processes, cooperation, and workflows in workshops. Experiencing and supporting this was a very valuable experience of my internship.

What is the corporate culture like at Bosch Rexroth?

A company’s culture is influenced by the day-to-day behavior, actions, and decisions of the people within the company. The Bosch Group issues clear guidelines and recommendations in this area, which also apply to Bosch Rexroth. Organizational development and internal communication’s role here is to mediate, inform, and support.

I personally found the corporate culture of Bosch Rexroth in our location to be very positive and friendly. Suggestions for change are first discussed, then shared and actively supported by the majority of employees. New formats and ideas are also very well received.

The work-life balance at Bosch Rexroth could not be better – there is a clear separation between work and free time. Even as an intern or student employee, it is possible to arrange to work from home. There is also an excellent canteen on site with free fruit, coffee, and water. Interns and student employees can also take advantage of the Bosch employee discount.