1. Who are you?
I'm Markus Baumgärtel.
2. What education do you have and how did you come to Dlubal Software?
Since almost everyone in my family has been in the construction sector for several generations, I first did a bricklayer apprenticeship. After completing my apprenticeship, I made up for my advanced technical college entrance qualification to secure my later studies.
During my basic military service, I already completed a part of the master school. After completing my military service, I worked as a bricklayer for about a year and then decided to start the civil engineering studies.
At the end of my studies, I applied to Dlubal Software and have been a member of the team since October 2009.
3. What are your tasks?
I have been involved in customer support since the beginning, I conduct training courses and keep the FAQ on our website as up-to-date as possible. Of course, daily checks and tests of our programs are also a part of my duties.
4. What is important in your job?
The main task is to have as large an overview as possible of all parts of the program. Since the questions of our customers may always be very complex, it is a great advantage if you can find your way around all add-on modules. However, with the help of colleagues as a team, you can almost always quickly find the answers.
4. What are you looking forward to when you come into work in the morning?
The questions in customer support are very different every day. In this way, you have the opportunity to learn other subjects from time to time.
I also like the contact with our customers, some of whom we have known for many years. For example, if you can help with problems or modeling approaches, you can see their models gradually grow, and you usually get positive feedback.
5. What excites you about the construction/BIM/structural engineering in general?
For me, the most exciting thing about structural engineering is actually finding a model right at the start of a project. When working in support, I often see models that make me to I ask customers why they have chosen this structural system. Now and then, you come to the conclusion that you need to throw everything upside down and take a completely different approach.
7. What is your hobby? How can it be combined with your job?
In my spare time, I go fishing every now and then when time permits. Since this is a rather leisurely "sport," you can clear your head quickly even after a busy day.
8. What advice would you give to young people for the future?
It's difficult to say, with regard to our software, students are already well on their way, as they often use it for seminar papers or graduation theses during their studies.
However, you can often see (understandably) a lack of practical relevance. This is exactly what is extremely important and advantageous for our work. Therefore, you should visit the construction sites as often as possible during the internship semester and not be afraid to ask questions.
9. What is your favorite building?
I don't really have a favorite building, but I always find it exciting to see how previous builders and engineers approached problems and solved them more or less well.
10. Which project designed with our software do you like the most?
I think the most impressive is the Sky Walk in Dolní Morava, the Czech Republic. Here is the link to this project: Sky Walk
