#HeraeusPeople Story
From overthinking to trust
Francesca Uebel, Working Student Group Communications
"When I started my working student position in the Group Communications team at Heraeus, I was honestly skeptical. A technology company? B2B communications? I found myself wondering, “Is this really the right fit for you?” Those doubts, however, did not last long. The deeper I immersed myself in the role, the more I realized how diverse the Heraeus Group truly is. I was fascinated by the opportunity to understand new topics and dive into complex content.
When I look back on the past two years, digital communication is not the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, I think about what I gained on a personal level: I work in a more structured way, plan my week more consciously, and set priorities more effectively. Most importantly, I learned to simply get started instead of overthinking things forever. Seriously!
This newfound confidence did not appear overnight. It grew with every project. One of my highlights was a video project about reducing food waste in the company cafeteria. Together with another working student, I developed the storyboard, conducted interviews, accompanied the filming process, and edited the final video. Seeing what we had created together was an incredibly rewarding feeling.
That variety is what defined my time at Heraeus. One day I was preparing content for our LinkedIn channel, the next I was building a website or searching for a technical solution to a bug. And that is exactly where the next surprise was waiting for me.
Turns out: I’m more technical than I thought
Before joining Heraeus, I would never have described myself as particularly tech-savvy. Today, working with digital tools comes naturally, and I am comfortable translating complex topics for different audiences. “Getting this behind-the-scenes look into the engine room of a communications department was something truly special.” I realized that we often place limitations on ourselves that do not actually exist. Just as important as the projects were the people I met along the way. Within the team, I learned how to give and receive feedback and how to incorporate different perspectives. After all, communication only works when we work together.
Trust yourself!
If I had to give our team a motto, it would be I care for you. Sometimes, that spirit even reveals itself in the small moments of everyday work life. Thanks to my colleague Tobias from Internal Communications, I finally know who Rudi Völler is. And if anyone asks me today why the former football player is nicknamed “Tante Käthe” (“Aunt Käthe”), I can explain that too! If I had to sum up my time at Heraeus in one sentence, it would be this: I learned to trust myself. My advice to the person who might one day take over my role? Stay curious. Bring your ideas. Be bold. You do not have to know everything. What matters far more is your willingness to learn. And one final tip for your application: connect the job posting to your own story. Show why this specific role is the right fit for you. Because in the end, authenticity is what truly makes an impression."