«I was only allowed to measure once»

I tell

"I was really nervous before my first taster apprenticeship. I had no idea what to expect and what it would be like. It was the same at the other taster sessions, but it always calmed down once I was there. I applied for an apprenticeship as a structural draughtswoman at Manetsch Meyer Architekten and was invited for a taster session after an initial interview. The first thing I had to do was measure a door and transfer it to an existing plan to scale. I was only allowed to measure once, so I had to concentrate very hard to make sure I had all the measurements. Once I had inserted the door into the plan, I did the same on the computer in a drawing programme.

I like geometric drawing, which is why I took it as an optional subject at school. I draw freehand all the time anyway. At the end of the trial apprenticeship, I had an interview with my vocational trainer and waited for the decision. I was overjoyed when I received the good news. I can do the apprenticeship in my dream job, in a company where I felt comfortable right from the start. I'm looking forward to doing practical work and not just learning theory. I'm still a little nervous though."

Read more about choosing a career:

• Step 1: Get to know your own interests and strengths
  Before young people can decide what training they want to pursue after secondary school, they need to answer a few basic questions about themselves. Not an easy task in the middle of puberty, which is already full of questions.
• Step 2: Get to know professions and training programmes
  Into an apprenticeship or continue at school? Many people ask themselves this question in upper secondary school. But the two paths are not mutually exclusive. An overview of the most important educational programmes.
• Step 3: Compare your own strengths with the requirements of professions and training programmes
  Every apprenticeship and every school has its own specific requirements. For young job seekers, this means that they should either work intensively on their skills or look for a less demanding apprenticeship.
• Step 4: Get to know interesting professions in a taster apprenticeship
  A taster apprenticeship, also known as a career choice internship, gives you a first impression of working life, a profession and the atmosphere in a potential training company. It is something like the ultimate reality check for young apprenticeship seekers.
• Step 5: Review possible professions and training courses and make a decision
  Careers counsellor Sigrid Weber knows the agony of choosing a career that many young people go through. Favourite subjects and hobbies are initial pointers to the right apprenticeship, a lot can be learned in trial apprenticeships - and sometimes even a coin toss helps, says the psychologist. When making a decision, however, the feeling has to be right above all.
• Step 6: Look for an apprenticeship or register with a school
  Once you have chosen the right profession, it's time to look for a suitable training organisation. Large or small, informal or formal, hierarchical or collegial? The more different types you get to know through taster sessions, the better you will know what suits you.
• Step 7: Prepare for an apprenticeship or school or clarify bridging programmes
  The tenth school year is seen as an emergency solution for those who have not found an apprenticeship. In reality, it is a useful educational programme to close gaps in schooling and other areas or to help you make a decision about your career choice. Other bridging programmes help to gain valuable knowledge and set the course.