Work with Daria Breitkreuz

How long have you been with BIOTRONIK, and what department do you work in?

I’ve been with BIOTRONIK since October 2024 and work as a student employee in the Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding department at the Berlin site. I support the team on projects related to communication, branding, and recruitment.

What are your responsibilities here?

As a student employee, I’m able to take on responsibilities in a wide variety of areas. I find my work on BIOTRONIK’s Instagram account particularly exciting: from brainstorming and planning to content creation.

In this role, I work closely with colleagues in Singapore, Australia, and the Corporate Communications department. In addition, I support initiatives related to diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion, as well as the development of young talent, and I occasionally serve as a moderator at trade shows or our Welcome Day. 

I also regularly participate in global meetings and consultations, which gives me excellent insight into international collaboration. It’s the mix of creative tasks, project work, and international collaboration that makes my job so varied. 

How did you first learn about BIOTRONIK?

I was looking for a work-study position in HR and came across the job posting on LinkedIn. From there, I went straight to the BIOTRONIK careers page.

I immediately felt that the job responsibilities might be a good fit for me—so I applied on the spot. I actually hadn't heard of BIOTRONIK before.

Why did you decide to take this student position?

Actually, I initially applied for a different position because I really wanted to work in HR and broaden my horizons. After being rejected, my application was forwarded internally—and shortly thereafter, I received an offer for my current position.

Even during my very first Teams call with my current manager, I felt truly valued. The fact that my application was actively passed along showed me that they’re genuinely interested in people here, even if things don’t work out on the first try.

How do you balance your studies with your job?

I’m able to balance them very well. My team is open to ideas from university, and I can contribute a lot directly—for example, from lectures on diversity, change management, or collaboration.

Especially when it comes to AI, I've noticed how closely theory and practice are linked. I recently had the opportunity to share the knowledge I gained at university during an AI workshop for apprentices and dual degree students. Conversely, I can share many BIOTRONIK examples in seminars—that makes the theory more tangible.

Which projects did you particularly enjoy?

I especially enjoy everything related to Instagram. I love the creative process, and the reporting lets me see right away how content performs. It's just great to see when a post goes live and we realize that a topic is really resonating with people. 

I also enjoy hosting Welcome Days and visiting trade shows because you get to meet so many different people. I actually met my current boyfriend at a Welcome Day.

What have you learned, both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I learn something new here every day. I gained valuable insight into topics such as employer branding, recruiting, and internal communication. Today, I have a much better sense of just how much organization and coordination goes into projects and cross-functional collaboration.

On a personal level, I’ve learned above all how to contribute to a diverse team. I work with colleagues from different generations and departments, and I find it fascinating to see how different approaches and perspectives can be. Through this experience, I learned to take on responsibility, set priorities, and drive projects forward on my own. That helped me become more confident and develop my own work style.

How does BIOTRONIK support your professional development?

My team gives me a lot of flexibility so I can structure my work hours to fit well with my class schedule. During the semester, I work 20 hours a week; during semester breaks, I work full-time. Remote work is also an option.

One semester, my class schedule was inconvenient, so I was hardly able to see my colleague—with whom I work closely—in person, since she works part-time. Still, we handled it well: Thanks to structured documentation and regular digital meetings, we were able to coordinate perfectly and continue our projects efficiently.

What benefits do you value most at BIOTRONIK?

I particularly appreciate the flexibility in working hours and the ability to work remotely. This really helps me balance my studies and my job.

There are also lots of corporate benefits, such as travel discounts and recreational activities, as well as team events like the Christmas party in Berlin. This shows that community plays a role here.

I also think the proportional bonus payments and the opportunity to gain insight into other HR areas through job shadowing are important. As someone just starting out in my career, this is a real added value for me.

What experiences are you taking with you for your future?

I've realized that employer branding is exactly the field that suits me: communication, HR, and creativity. At the same time, I've learned to be more open-minded and to try new things. When I applied for the job back then, I couldn't imagine working for a medical technology company. Today I know that's not an obstacle. On the contrary: If you stay curious and try new things, you’ll often find the opportunities that are the best fit for you.

What do you do in your free time?

I do a lot of sports, am currently trying out pole dancing, and enjoy going to the opera. I also enjoy traveling to take in new experiences and recharge my batteries.

What advice would you give to other students?

Don't be afraid to try new things. A part-time job while studying is a huge help in figuring out what you're really good at—and maybe what you're not. Both are valuable for finding your own path.