From the Sports Science Dream to IT Administrator – My Career Path

After my federal voluntary service, I originally planned to study sports science at the German Sport University Cologne. However, due to increased NC requirements, my high school grades were not sufficient, and alternatives at other universities or a long wait time were not an option for me.

So, I began looking for new opportunities. During my voluntary service, I unexpectedly had a lot of accounting tasks, which sparked my interest in business and commercial activities. A business training program thus became the focus – mainly due to its practical nature and the possibility of entering the professional world directly and earning money. I initially put off studying.

However, entering the field proved more challenging than expected: In banking and insurance companies, I received many rejections – possibly due to my academic background. Eventually, I started working in procurement at SBIT.

The Unexpected Shift into IT

In the first month, I got the opportunity to accompany one of my superiors to a law firm to support on-site IT activities. Curious and open to new experiences, I immediately agreed – and thus had my first direct contact with corporate IT infrastructure. Topics like client-server systems, email configurations, backup solutions, and networks fascinated me right away.

Shortly after, I was offered to switch to the technical department – a chance that I seized without hesitation. Procurement had turned out to be less challenging for me, while IT immediately captivated me.

Learning through Practice – and Thrown into the Deep End

From the start, I was involved in demanding tasks and worked in a dynamic environment. Our clients were mainly medium-sized companies, and my daily routine largely consisted of support activities. I am incredibly grateful that some of my colleagues at the time trusted me and supported me with targeted mentoring. Their support allowed me to take on responsibilities quickly – and I was ready to dive deeply into my new role.

Especially excited about tasks beyond mere IT support were:

• Planning and implementing IT infrastructures during company relocations
• Migrations of domains and email servers
• Switching internet providers and their technical implementation
• Setting up and configuring switches and firewalls
• Mobile Device Management

My time at SBIT was intense, characterized by long working hours but also rich experiences and continuous learning. Looking back, I am grateful for this instructive phase that significantly advanced me both professionally and personally.