1. Who are you?
I am Jürgen Theilmann. I studied automotive engineering and now I've changed to the construction industry.
2. What education do you have and how did you come to Dlubal Software?
After secondary school and technical college, I studied automotive engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany. Then, I worked for DEKRA as a vehicle inspector in the field for 12 years until I said at some point that I need to change my job. I wanted to make a clean break and do something completely different. So I additionally got my Master's degree in mechanical engineering in simulation technology and then slipped into the construction industry due to my Master's thesis. I thought I might enjoy it, and I also worked as a structural engineer for nine months. Then I saw that Dlubal Software was hiring. I really enjoy using the software. So I applied for the job and luckily, I was hired.
3. What are your tasks?
I'm mainly responsible for customer support. I provide technical support to our customers by phone, email, or in our online chat; sometimes I create FAQ and hold training courses. Currently, these are the basic training courses for our new RFEM 6 or special individual training courses on request.
4. What is important in your job?
For me personally, it is important to have an open ear to our customers and to take their concerns seriously. I do my best to provide the support in such a way that the customers can use it to help themselves, and I also try to pass on the enthusiasm that I have for our program. This is the most important thing for me.
5. What are you looking forward to when you come into work in the morning?
I like that I'm not able to say what to expect. Every day is different. The requests are different. There may be challenges that I have to chew on for a while. So it is not a routine that says business as usual, and every day is varied.
6. What excites you about construction or structural engineering in general?
There is much more to it than an outsider would assume at first. I come from automotive engineering, where, as an outsider, you initially think it's so complicated. An outsider might think that everything is pretty simple in the construction industry. But if you dig deeper into it, you realize that there is a lot of brainpower behind it. It is much more varied and extensive than you might think at first glance. I think that's powerful, because you have a bit of a challenge every day.
7. What has been your best experience so far?
I regularly have the best experience when a customer unexpectedly gives positive feedback. Where they say that my assistance with a project really helped them. Now I can get a deal done faster. This feedback, which a customer does not necessarily have to give, is always the best for me.
8. What is your hobby, and how can it be combined with your job?
Yes and no, I will say. For me, a hobby is a contrast to a job. This has always been the most important thing to me. I enjoy working in my garden at home. That's why it's always important for me to say that I am completely done with work when I'm not working. Then I do my private business. When I'm at work, I'm 100 percent at work. But it can be combined very well here at Dlubal Software. Thanks to our system of flexible working hours, I've never had a problem separating the job and my hobby, and I must say that I divide my two worlds.
8. What advice would you give to young graduates for the future?
What I noticed during my Master's studies, and it is also important in addition to skills, is networking. Make sure you stay in touch with the contacts you made in college. Back then, when I was studying for my diploma, we unfortunately lost touch a bit. But if you have a strong network in the background, it will help you. It's also the case that in human resources, quite often people look at what the person does. They don't just look at the report card, they look at the whole package. If you then see that there is someone here who is also privately in contact with experts, it always brings advantages. I also want to advise you: Don't let anyone bend you. Stay true to yourselves and be authentic. This is the most important thing for me.
10. What is your favorite building?
For me, it's the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany. It fascinates me every time I see it. The tent roof has an elegance and lightness. At the same time, it is stable and durable. I think this is unique in the whole world. I can see it over and over again and I always like it.
