The first weeks in a team spirit and family environment

A few weeks ago, I had the exciting opportunity to start my professional journey at tetys. The first full-time job after my studies. I first got to know tetys a few years ago during a 2-week internship, so it seemed like the perfect place to start my professional life. Many questions were spinning around in my head. Questions that most people probably ask themselves before starting a new challenge. Fortunately, I was greeted on the very first day with many new impressions and positive experiences that immediately captivated me. From the very beginning, I was warmly welcomed and immediately felt like part of the tetys family.  

When I arrived at tetys on my first day, I was naturally a little nervous. A new job always brings with it a certain amount of uncertainty: will I be able to meet expectations? Will I still get on with my colleagues? Will they still remember me? All these questions were buzzing through my head. But my nervousness was unfounded. I was welcomed with open arms by my team. Everyone was willing to explain the most important processes and structures to me and I found support where it was needed. These first encounters made it clear that tetys attaches great importance to harmonious cooperation.  

This experience was also shared by a colleague, Philipp Deneer, who started at tetys a few months before me. He became aware of tetys through a newspaper article in spring 2023. While he regularly likes to read about what's going on in Aachen, the tetys article in particular stuck in his mind for several reasons. He found the business field described exciting and was able to link it to his own experiences and “digitalization wishes” from his day-to-day work at the time. He found Janina's story particularly inspiring, as she used her own head and an open mind to find new ways forward for a business that had grown historically. He said:  

“The 'vibe' in the article. What was reported about the company and Janina, but above all what was said by her herself. It didn't strike me as a representation but seemed authentic right from the start.”  

Because of the lasting impression made by the report, he applied to tetys a few days later - even though he wasn't actually looking for a job. I was able to confirm this honest and authentic impression right from the start and quickly felt that I was not only welcome here, but that a family atmosphere was desired.  

Always an open door for questions  

I naturally had a lot of questions in the first few days. Be it about specific projects, internal processes or technical details - my new colleagues were always there to help me. Every question was answered patiently, and I never had the feeling that my questions were unwelcome or annoying. This helpfulness was not only helpful, but also motivating and gave me the security I needed in this initial phase.  Right from the start, I had the feeling that tetys didn't just want to get to know an employee, but also the person behind them.   

Philipp had a similar experience during the application phase and emphasized that his contacts at tetys really investigated his person and his skillset, always thinking outside the box of the position he was applying for:  

“tetys definitely got involved with the individual person behind the application here.”  

A family atmosphere  

One of the things (already briefly mentioned) that makes tetys special is the family atmosphere that prevails in the company. From the very beginning, I felt the close cohesion and appreciative communication that is practiced here. At tetys, it is customary to support each other and work together on solutions. This teamwork is not only effective, but also creates a pleasant working environment in which you can feel comfortable. I particularly liked the fact that there are also joint activities and events outside of work where you can get to know your colleagues better, such as an after-work beer on Fridays, summer parties or Christmas parties.   

“Everyone involved treated me as an equal right from the start, despite my lateral entry in some of tetys' areas. In addition to this professional fairness, it was and is above all a good fit for me on a personal level with all team members,” says Philipp.  

He described the working culture at tetys as being characterized by team spirit, a good dose of humor, fairness and equality. The honest motivation for quality, which can be felt among all colleagues, is particularly important to him.  

Communication with colleagues who are not on site should also be emphasized here. I also work from home as much as possible and have still had good experiences and feel like part of the team like everyone else. Strengthened by communication and the efforts of everyone involved, working from other locations at tetys is possible without any problems and can only be recommended from my point of view.   

Induction and further training  

There were no problems with the induction either, as it was very structured and well thought out. Even in the first few weeks, I was given a clear overview of my tasks and the various projects I would be working on. My team leader, Marina Henkelmann, took the time to explain to me in detail how my work fits into the larger goals of the company. This transparency helped me to develop a clear understanding of my role and settle in quickly.  

Another big plus point is the range of training opportunities on offer. tetys places great emphasis on ensuring that employees can continuously develop their skills. This investment in employees is once again a strong sign of how much tetys promotes and supports individual development. 

Support and feedback  

Another aspect that struck me as particularly positive is the feedback culture at tetys. Regular feedback meetings with my team leader helped me to recognize my strengths and work on my weaknesses. These discussions are always constructive and goal-oriented, which helps me to continuously improve. I particularly like the fact that positive feedback is given just as often as constructive criticism. This balance creates a motivating working atmosphere in which you feel valued.  

My colleague also reported similar experiences: “All the positive aspects from my first impression have continued without interruption since then. The cheerful atmosphere in the team is permanent and not just dependent on the day. Friendliness, helpfulness and a very good error culture have nothing to do with “puppy protection” here but are lived values.”  

I also experience this consistently positive atmosphere every day at work and appreciate the open and honest communication that prevails here. The honest and direct communication not only between employees, but also with the managing directors is particularly noteworthy. Hierarchy is not a big issue at tetys - everyone meets at eye level. This also simplifies communication with the managing directors. 

A dynamic environment with challenges  

Of course, there were also challenges to overcome in the first few weeks. Getting to know new systems and processes takes time and patience, especially if you were previously unfamiliar with the industry. However, thanks to the support of my colleagues, I was able to familiarize myself quickly and keep learning. I am particularly proud of my first own project, which I was able to support from the very beginning and which will continue over the next few months.  

“Helping to shape things here every day and learning new things at the same time is really fun,” Philipp concludes. These words reflect exactly what I also experience: the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that constantly offers new challenges, while always having the support of a great team.  

A promising start  

To summarize, I can say that my first few weeks at tetys have been extremely positive. I was warmly welcomed, fully trained and quickly felt at home thanks to the family atmosphere. The support and helpfulness of my colleagues as well as the clearly structured induction processes, with opportunities to read up again and again if anything was unclear, gave me confidence and helped me to find my bearings quickly.  

I am looking forward to the coming months and years at tetys and am excited about the many exciting projects and challenges that lie ahead of me. I am convinced that I have the best conditions here to develop both professionally and personally.