The fascination for technology, the inner structure of things and how they work has been with him since his youth. At that time, Robert Hermann, now 29 years old, was screwing on his Simson. A hobby that still accompanies him today. Therefore, after completing his schooling in Großröhrsdorf and completing his civil service at the city council of Pulsnitz, the way ahead had already been mapped out. “Studying mechanical engineering was the only logical decision for me”, he says. But where should it go? Stay in Dresden and study at the Technical University? Or are you looking for other options? Such a possibility opened up with a dual study at Volkswagen in Salzgitter (Lower Saxony). It wasn't an easy decision for Robert Hermann, because as a young person leaving family, friends and your beloved hobby behind and only being at home on the weekend is not easy. But for him the professional opportunities were decisive. So the decision was made pretty quickly, and then it was time to say goodbye! Hello new challenges!
The course consisted of two parts, a practical apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic combined with a technical college degree in mechanical engineering with a bachelor's degree. A challenging path. But the conditions at his new employer VW were very good. Robert Hermann was particularly attracted to work in the field of engine development. This was the focus of his studies and his bachelor thesis. As interesting as the course was, he was visibly missing his social environment in Saxony. But the way back shouldn't succeed too quickly. At the start of his studies, Robert Hermann committed to work at VW for at least four more years after completing his studies. He successfully completed his bachelor's degree in 2012 and then started in the development department as a designer in the field of valve train. His “life in two worlds”, as Robert Hermann describes it, continued.
Working in the team and his work area were a stroke of luck for him. A very good working atmosphere and very interesting tasks accompanied him over the next few years. But it became clear to him relatively early on that he wanted to go back home. So the waiting period began. Two more years ... another year. Commuting every week, home to family and friends on Fridays, back to his “other world” on Sundays. A burden that not only pushed him to his limits once. This strengthened the desire to return to his homeland. But the closer the end of his first four years at VW came, the more he felt committed to his team and his ongoing project. Simply leaving everything standing there and changing jobs in the middle of the project was out of the question for Robert Hermann at this point. “A decision that I would otherwise have regretted later”, he said. At the end of 2016, he saw the opportunity to successfully complete the series development project of his team and to take on new professional tasks in his home country.
Then everything went relatively quickly. In February he started to apply in the Dresden area, in May he received the approval of his new company, i2s Intelligente Sensorsysteme Dresden GmbH, and in June 2017 he moved back to Pulsnitz, his hometown. A step that in the end was not so easy for him. “The farewell to the team at VW was very emotional. I felt like I was saying goodbye to my second family. It wasn't just a tear.” But this very day of parting was also a day of “coming back”. Because on the same evening, his friends organized a big "welcome back" party for him. A day that Robert Hermann will probably not forget all his life.
In the meantime, he has arrived safely in his new job. As a project manager, he faces new challenges that he wants to continue growing. He feels very comfortable in the company and also finds working in the new team very pleasant. “The atmosphere is unique. Everyone sticks together here to achieve great things”, he says. Robert Hermann is "back" professionally too, but has not completely lost touch with his old employer. “We develop also components for VW. So the connection is not lost”, he says with a smile. He only had to cut back on his salary. For him, however, this more than makes up for the regained environment and the “commuter life” left behind. “My working hours have increased from 35 to 40 hours a week. I used to spend the time that I can now invest in my work on the motorway.”
And at home, too, he feels very much at home. The familiar circle of friends, his hobby of motorsport in the Simson GP and of course the region with its cultural opportunities, the beautiful landscape with countless activities right on the doorstep and his beloved gingerbreads from Pulsnitz did not make him regret his return. Only the search for an apartment in Pulsnitz was not so easy. “Unfortunately, there weren't many offers. With a little luck, however, I was able to find it relatively quickly”, he says.
Before returning, Robert Hermann contacted the project management of the project “Wachstumsregion Dresden” and felt well advised. “Knowing that there are still many others who also want to come back motivated me even more back then.” He hopes that the region can continue to develop. Since he was a commuter for many years, he sees a good opportunity there to introduce the project with its job portal. “A radio commercial at commuter rush hour could have had good success”, he suggests.
“Have the courage to live your dreams!” This motto led Robert Hermann back to his homeland, back to the “Wachstumsregion Dresden.”
Interview and text: Daniela Retzmann & Peter Glumbick