Emma, Merle-Marie, and Finn are three talented young people on three-year apprenticeships at Konica Minolta. We interviewed them as they embarked on four-week placements at three of our European subsidiaries – giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique cultural and professional dynamics of their host countries. Emma, 21, an apprentice Marketing Communications Specialist, went to Brno in the Czech Republic, a city she quickly grew fond of. She recounts how the Czech team gave her a warm welcome and invited her to join several internal communications projects. “For our apprenticeship course, an international assignment is unusual, so I’m all the more grateful that we were given this special opportunity,” she says with a smile. Merle-Marie, 22, also an aspiring Marketing Communications Specialist, has been with Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe since 2023. Her assignment took her to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. “It was a bit like jumping into cold water, but in the best possible way,” she recalls. It was Merle-Marie's first long trip abroad on her own, and Lisbon left a lasting impression on her life. Finn, 21 years old and in the third year of his apprenticeship as a Merchant in eCommerce, went on assignment to Copenhagen in Denmark, where he was involved in the e-shop rollout. “It was incredibly exciting to be part of such a major project and to work at the project manager's right hand,” he says enthusiastically. This international assignment was a mandatory part of Finn's supplementary apprenticeship as a European Merchant – a challenge he took on with energy and dedication.
It was a bit like jumping into cold water, but in the best possible way.
Merle-Marie Mueller
Apprentice as Marketing Communications Specialist at Konica Minolta Europe
From the very first interactions in their host countries, each apprentice encountered some surprises. Finn was warmly welcomed in Copenhagen and marveled at the relaxed atmosphere that prevailed at work. In Portugal, Merle-Marie experienced a way of greeting colleagues that was quite different from the German approach. “A kiss on both cheeks as a greeting, even from top management, felt unusual at first. But that was just normal there,” she laughs. In the Czech Republic, Emma encountered other unique routines: “Lunch starting at 11.00 was something I had to get used to, but after a few days, I actually started to appreciate this new rhythm.” Despite these and other initial differences, all three apprentices quickly adapted to their new environments, and started enjoying the cultural exchange with local colleagues, which helped broaden their perspectives.
Professionally, all three had plenty of new ground to cover and challenges to tackle. In the Czech Republic, Emma found herself acting as an internal communications consultant. She helped the team create communications guidelines, covering topics like setting the right tone for meetings and selecting the appropriate channels, such as email or Teams. “It felt so good to be appreciated for my ideas and knowledge and to be able to really help the team,” she reports. Particularly inspiring was a visit to the Customer Engagement Center in Prague, where she experienced the team’s passion for their work firsthand. In Portugal, Merle-Marie found herself facing a language barrier that made her everyday work in the digital team a bit like solving a puzzle. “The websites were all in Portuguese, and I sometimes struggled with the different characters they used,” she recalls with a smile. Her patience paid off, though, as she gained valuable insights into web design and search engine optimization (SEO) and learned a lot through intensive exchanges with the Portuguese SEO agency. Meanwhile, Finn was closely involved in the e-shop rollout, actively supporting the project manager in Denmark. “Being there on-site and speaking directly to people made things so much easier,” he explains, especially compared to previous projects when he wasn’t present in person. He even had the opportunity to travel to other Nordic countries to visit local offices and meet with Konica Minolta clients – an experience he found very inspiring.
Beyond professional experiences, personal development was a major reward for all three. For Merle-Marie, living alone for the first time meant a new level of independence. “I realized I could manage my daily life on my own, and I actually enjoyed that sense of freedom,” she says. Finn also learned to handle things on his own and grew more courageous: “The language barrier intimidated me at first, but everything worked out in the end, which boosted my confidence.” Emma describes how her time in the Czech Republic helped her shed her initial nervousness. “I remember how stressed I was initially, driving alone for nine hours for the first time. On the way back, I was much more relaxed and a bit wistful that it was already over.” For her, the trip was a valuable lesson in self-organization and self-confidence that she’ll never forget.
All three apprentices were deeply impressed by the support from Konica Minolta for their international assignments. “The company really invests in our personal development and gives us a chance to think outside the box,” emphasizes Finn. Emma highlights the fact that Konica Minolta’s corporate values aren't just words on paper: “Whether in Germany, the Czech Republic, or Slovakia, the ‘Open and Honest’ value is truly lived – you can feel it.”
The company really invests in our personal development and gives us a chance to think outside the box.
Finn Sehler
Apprentice as Merchant in eCommerce at Konica Minolta Europe
Konica Minolta’s corporate values aren't just words on paper: You can feel it!
Emma Roettger
All three young talents agree that the four-week assignment had a profound impact on their professional and personal perspectives. Inspired by his experiences with GBS colleagues on client visits, Finn now knows that he’d like to work with clients in the future. Merle-Marie is confident that digital marketing is the perfect field for her, while Emma feels she’s on the right path with internal communications. They also have clear advice for future participants. Finn simply says, “Do it!” Merle-Marie recommends being well prepared – also in practical ways. For example, Lisbon’s cobbled streets and steep hills call for comfortable shoes. Emma advises taking full advantage of the time on-site and embracing every challenge, because, as she puts it: “Ultimately, you're left with valuable memories that will stay with you forever.”
As part of their unique apprenticeship journeys, Emma, Merle-Marie and Finn had the exceptional opportunity to work on international assignments – a distinctive experience that’s not guaranteed but is actively supported by some international units to enhance personal and professional growth. Through their international placements, these three apprentices not only developed their skills but also gained self-confidence and a global perspective. The experiences and insights Emma, Merle-Marie and Finn came back with are much more than just personal memories: they represent valuable knowledge that will continue to inspire and enrich their careers.