Work with Roman Kotschetkov

How long have you been with BIOTRONIK, and what training program are you in?

I’ve been with BIOTRONIK since September 1, 2023, and I’m completing my apprenticeship here as an IT specialist for system integration. I'm now in my third year of training.

The training program lasts about three to three and a half years, depending on when the exams are held. The schedule is very varied: Two weeks of on-the-job training at the company, one week at vocational school. During school breaks, I’m fully immersed in on-the-job training, and I have 30 days of vacation per year.

After each on-the-job training phase, I write a report on my tasks and what I’ve learned. Depending on the department, the on-the-job training phases can also be flexibly extended or shortened. 

What sparked your interest in IT?

I've been interested in IT ever since elementary school. My parents set me up with my own computer and Internet access when I was young. This allowed me to try out a lot of things at a very young age, and I quickly realized just how diverse the digital world is.

In my family, I soon became the go-to person whenever there were problems with computers or cell phones. So it became clear to me relatively early on that I wanted to pursue a career in IT.

How did you first learn about BIOTRONIK?

I came across BIOTRONIK through an ad on Azubiyo. The training program immediately sounded exciting because it combines IT and medical technology—you don't often find a combination like that.

The job posting was clear and easy to understand, which really stood out compared to many others. To be honest, practical considerations also played a role: The commute to work was much shorter than, for example, the commute to university.

Why did you choose BIOTRONIK?

BIOTRONIK’s mission statement immediately appealed to me. I come from a family of doctors, and I've always found it fascinating to see how technology can support medicine. At the same time, it was important to me to forge my own path and clearly specialize in IT.

That's why I first studied bioinformatics at Freie Universität Berlin. During the pandemic, however, I realized that my degree program wasn't the best fit for me. For me, BIOTRONIK was the perfect combination of medicine and technology.

Here, I can build up my IT expertise while working in an environment that drives medical innovation. 

What convinced you to join us?

I was particularly impressed by BIOTRONIK’s vision and guiding principles—“From Vision to Impact” and “One Second. One Life." They show just how much responsibility and significance there is behind the work done here.

While preparing my application, I listened to a podcast featuring the Head of Human Resources, in which BIOTRONIK was described as a "hidden champion" and one of the largest medical technology manufacturers headquartered in Berlin. The professionalism and innovative spirit described there aligned well with my own goals.

I find the international collaboration with colleagues from India, the U.S., and Singapore particularly exciting—for example, in remote support or with VPN certificates. I can see how varied and responsible IT work is here.

What exactly are you learning in your apprenticeship?

I’m learning everything about IT systems, developing small application solutions, writing documentation and user guides, and presenting results.

In addition, I’m gaining insights into programming—for example, with JavaScript—and learning a lot about data protection, network security, and license management. I find it particularly exciting that I get to work in so many different departments—from the User Help Desk to Business Solutions, Cybersecurity, and IT Procurement.

At the User Help Desk, for example, I quickly learned how to communicate professionally with users and explain complex IT topics in a way that’s easy to understand. I really enjoyed that. This gives me a really good overview of how IT works at BIOTRONIK and how everything fits together. In addition, all trainees receive communication training right from the start, which helped me a lot. 

What does a typical workday look like?

My workday usually starts around 9 a.m.—first, I have a cup of coffee; for me, that’s just part of the routine. After that, I check my emails, plan my tasks, and set priorities.

Every Monday, I have a stand-up meeting with my training coordinator. We'll discuss projects, open questions, and feedback. Currently, I spend a lot of time working in cybersecurity, supporting colleagues, creating documentation, and working on the migration of outdated systems.

I often structure my day using the Pomodoro technique: Work with focus for 40 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. That way, I'm making good progress. At lunchtime, I usually go to the cafeteria with other apprentices and dual degree students. We end up talking a lot—about IT topics as well as our studies or our projects. It lightens the mood, and you realize that we're all in similar situations.

Which projects have you particularly enjoyed?

So far, I've enjoyed a lot of different things—both professionally and socially. For example, I've already helped out with several recreational activities for apprentices and dual degree students. We also get together regularly after work, for example to play pool or have dinner together. Not only is this fun, but it also strengthens team spirit and helps us build a really strong network.

Another highlight was a project to develop a SharePoint site for the employee suggestion program. I was able to learn a lot about production processes and make new contacts.

My work at the User Help Desk is also very important to me. It motivates me when I can help my coworkers with their problems. That's when I realize just how crucial reliable support is for smooth business operations. And I can even put my Russian and English language skills to good use, since I'm often in contact with users abroad. That shows me just how diverse and hands-on the training here is.

How are you supported in learning new things?

I get a lot of support from my coworkers and instructors. I’ve also been able to take on a role in the Youth and Apprentice Representative Committee and participate in workshops on labor law and the rights and responsibilities of apprentices. I'm now proactively applying this knowledge within my team.

Through Udemy, I can take additional courses, such as those on time management or networking technology. Once a month, there is also a meeting of all IT specialist apprentices with our instructor. There, we discuss organizational topics and current projects, and present our results. 

At the end of each department rotation, we also write a department report and evaluate our work. This serves as the basis for a feedback session in which we evaluate ourselves and also receive feedback. I find this really helpful because it lets you learn from experience and improve in very specific ways.

What are your plans after your apprenticeship?

After my apprenticeship, I can definitely see myself pursuing a dual degree program, for example in business informatics or industrial business administration. I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed the business-related aspects in particular, such as analyzing quotes and negotiating during the purchasing process.

What do you do in your free time?

After a day in front of the computer, I need to get some exercise: Strength training, running, table tennis, canoeing, or skiing. I also enjoy reading nonfiction books about time management or focused work.

And to unwind, I play video games—often with friends. It's fun and provides a nice contrast to the more structured tasks at work.