A Day With ...
Paul Göpfert
In our series “A Day with…” we spend a day looking over the shoulder of an OPTANO colleague to see what they do. Today we’re with Paul Göpfert.
Paul Göpfert
Operations Research Software Engineer
This year OPTANO plans to expand and is looking for smart thinkers to join its team. We were able to get Paul on board as a further OR Software Engineer. He is working remotely from the city in which he is currently residing. However, the removal boxes have already been packed and he’s in the process of moving to Paderborn where we met him today during his onboarding.
The previous day
Back to the past:
working remote
At the moment I’m working remotely. Sophisticated training is part of systematic onboarding to get to know about the OPTANO way of working. This includes the development of a small scale simulated customer project. I like the practical way of becoming familiar with the new subjects. I can contact my project team via Teams whenever I have a question.
10:00 a.m.
Start to the day:
Traveling Salesman
The name of my new office perfectly describes my current commuting situation: Traveling Salesman (at OPTANO all the offices have been named after well-known algorithms or optimization problems). Nobody really has a fixed office in the traditional sense. Instead, we organize ourselves according to the projects we are working on. I like this idea because it means I get the chance to work together with different colleagues. Although I can always work remotely, it’s important for me to be with the team in the office, particularly while I’m settling in.
11:45 a.m.
Work of a different kind:
The Employee Photo Shoot
Once I’m in Paderborn, my agenda is full to bursting. Today I have a very different task: a photo shoot with the OPTANO marketing team – in my new OPTANO polo shirt, of course.
12:30 p.m
Lunch in "Hafenviertel":
Eating together
Everybody needs a break, and everybody needs something to eat. It’s great that lunch breaks are spent together here; it’s an important part of the OPTANO culture. Whoever is working at the office and not at home meets up for lunch in “Hafenviertel” (the common room). There are plenty of places nearby where you can grab a bite to eat. Some bring lunch from home which they can heat up in the kitchen – it’s a bit reminiscent of house-sharing, actually. Organic fruit is there for everybody – as a dessert or a healthy snack.
1:30 p.m.
Meet the Mentor:
And not just during onboarding
Part of the onboarding process is a meeting with your mentor. This is a tradition which OPTANO has practised ever since its foundation. All employees have a mentor who is one of the three Managing Directors and who you can refer to whenever necessary. You have regular meetings with them where you discuss your personal and professional development. During these meetings I can take an active part in determining the direction I would like my career to take at OPTANO.
2:30 p.m.
Project meeting:
My first client project
Although I’m still settling in, I am already fully integrated into my future project team. For me, this means that theory and practice come full circle. We work in interdisciplinary teams comprising business analysts, OR specialists and software engineers. You can learn a lot from these meetings, particularly when you are new to the company.
4:00 p.m.
Back in Traveling Salesman
A bit more onboarding
Before I leave to catch my train home, I have a bit of time to find out more about the client project. Remote work does have its advantages but it is still good to be able to ask the others questions while I’m here at the office.
In a nutshell:
I'm happy to be here
I haven’t been here long but I already feel fully integrated as an OPTANO team member. Fascinating tasks, interesting clients and a fab team with a great corporate culture and a pleasant atmosphere: This is what I was promised at my job interview – and what can I say? Promise fulfilled! I’m happy to be here.
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