Uzair has been a working student at arculus for almost a year. He is in the Project Execution team, responsible for change management, running simulations for new software, as well as writing scripts and documentation. He is an Intralogistics 4.0 enthusiast and a quick learner. Find more about Uzair and his journey at arculus in this article.

Hi Uzair! Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Uzair: “I am from India. After completing my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, I worked for a year in the production department of an automotive company. In 2020, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree relevant to my work experience and chose the Management and Engineering In Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering program at RWTH Aachen. I know that is a very long name for a program (laughs), but it fits well with my role at arculus.”

How do you recall our onboarding process?

Uzair: “It was smooth for me. Even though Germany was in lockdown last year, I still received my laptop, gear, and tools via mail on time. I also did some mandatory short courses that are relevant to my job. My manager also offered constant support. He patiently answered my questions about production and software development and guided me well throughout the process." 

So, how do you find the work-study balance at arculus?

Uzair: “Work-study balance is quite good at arculus. My colleagues have told me several times that I should always put my studies first. For me, attending meetings is voluntary. If I do not have time for a task due to a busy university routine, I can skip it or do it later, which helps in being flexible. I appreciate the constant reminder that, as a working student, I can’t give it all.

Even though I need to attend classes on campus, I am still allowed to work remotely. As I live in Aachen, this has made my daily schedule much less stressful. But when I see my colleagues at the office, I do feel like I am missing out on all the fun.”

Is this your first student job in Germany?

Uzair: “Yes!”

Cool! So how do you believe your work experience at arculus differs from the ones in your home country?

Uzair: “This is my first ever remote work experience. Although working from the office has its perks, the flexibility to work from anywhere saves me commuting time. I can even work from the university library.

Also, the work coordination at arculus is applaudable. Back in India, I would have 50-60 calls a day. But, at arculus, I learned that instead of making 20 calls individually, we can hold short key meetings with selected individuals and resolve the problem.”

How do you feel that your work at arculus contributes to your learning process?

Uzair: “My Master’s program also covers management courses. Therefore, several subjects coincide with my job. For example, I had this course called “Factory Planning'' last semester. It was about project execution, and I could practically see it happening at arculus during the delivery, installation, and tests for our arculee. So I think my tasks not only add value to my work experience but also help me perform better at my studies.”

And do you believe your responsibilities prepare you well for a full-time role?

Uzair: “Yes. I see myself doing a full-time job in project execution or something similar in Intralogistics 4.0, and my current responsibilities at arculus are preparing me well for it. Like I now know how a detailed Gantt chart (a project management tool) should look like!”

What is the most important thing that you have learned at arculus?

Uzair: “Time management and how important deadlines are. Also, not to mix personal, school, and work life. They have to be separate.”

Lastly, do you have any tips for working students who want to apply to arculus?

Uzair: “It is crucially important to have an interdisciplinary mindset so that it becomes easier to handle various aspects of the job.”

Interdisciplinary is an interesting term that you have used. Can you tell us more about it?

Uzair: “For example, a project manager’s job is not about just supervising the project. They have to manage finances, understand customer requirements, communicate with the customers, or handle sensitive data. Hence, a basic knowledge of business processes and strategies is equally important as an in-depth understanding of mechanical engineering.”

We are a tech-driven company actively looking for working students. Apply here!

This is the story of Iuri, Software Engineer at arculus since 2018. Learn more about his journey and role in developing the arculee.

Hey Iuri, great to have you here! Can you start by letting us know what your job at arculus is?

My job at arculus is Software Developer but I do more than that. My tasks range from planning projects according to the priorities for our goals to testing things and hands-on work directly on the robot. So arculus offers me the possibility to grow or develop myself while also contributing to the company goals as well as I can.

When did you join arculus? How has the company changed since then?

I joined arculus in February 2018. Back then we were under 20 employees. Now we have over 90. The biggest changes are in the way we work and the number of processes we now have. The way we handle tasks within the team went from individual little worlds where people could do whatever they want to now, where we have several cross-functional teams, and everybody works within the scrum environment and can collaborate on all the tasks. We also have better knowledge sharing, and everybody has a more comfortable working environment. So definitely a lot has changed.

What is the most exciting thing you've experienced since you joined?

My journey at arculus is full of exciting moments. When I joined as an intern, I got to work on my own project that later got delivered to the client side. So there was me, still at the end of my graduation, being part of the whole specification for our latest generation of robots. On the electronics side, it was just another colleague and me, so I'm proud to see that I had a very big role in the development of our product. So the outstanding responsibility I had as an intern and all the knowledge I acquired since then, excite me quite a lot.

How would you describe our products to a non-tech person?

We do pretty cool robots that transport stuff around (laughs). So just put anything on top of it, and it will transport it wherever you want it to go. We also do all the infrastructure that goes along with it, which is a lot of stuff.

Who would you recommend to join the team?

Anyone who is not satisfied with almost done, who is not content with less than 100 per cent. Someone who goes above and beyond to deliver just the best they can, who's not afraid of challenges or going the extra mile, and who does all of that with passion. Anyone who constantly wants to improve themselves, their work, and their results. Someone who goes above and beyond for what they believe, and anyone who wants to make a difference and actually does it. That's the profile we need. And that's the best fit I can describe for the team.

Think you fit Iuri's description? We are hiring! Apply here

Watch Iuri's full interview below:

Martin started his journey in the Commercial Team last year as a working student. He puts his expertise in customer acquisition, market research, and simulation implementations for software toolchains to good use. Now, he is writing his Master’s thesis at arculus. This article will give you a glimpse of Martin’s experience with us, both as a working and thesis student.

Hi Martin! Since you started at arculus as a working student, would you tell us a little about your educational background?

Martin: “I have always been passionate about engineering. Therefore, after high school, I applied for the Bachelor in Industrial Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe. I was also fortunate enough to do a semester abroad at the Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK, where I completed my major in Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering. 

While applying for the Master’s, the Engineering and Management program caught my attention, and I went for it. Now I’m in the final year of my studies and writing a thesis related to Autonomous Mobile Robots. arculus couldn’t be a better option for the topic I chose!”

Sounds cool! And can you tell us about the work-study balance at arculus?

Martin: “According to my contract as a working student, I was supposed to work 20hrs/week. However, as a full-time student, these work hours were tough to handle. I had a good communication with my manager from the beginning, and we often exchanged how my workload was. He always assured me that my studies come first, and throughout the semester, he respected the lecture hours and university deadlines. Not once did I feel the pressure to choose between my studies and the job. 

As a thesis student, I have more flexibility now than before. It’s my project, and I can choose to work whenever I have the time.”

How would you describe your experience so far in your team?

Martin: “So far, I have loved working with my team. They are great people to work with, and you can learn a lot from them. Also, I get critical evaluation from my colleagues during the feedback sessions. I would say it’s a perfect mix of support and challenging tasks.”

And what makes your work experience at arculus different from your previous student jobs/internships?

Martin: “Tasks during my student job at arculus were more conceptual and had to be solved in a team. They indeed proved to be crucial for my development. My internship at another company was the opposite of this. I had to do predefined assignments, more like standard processes. Therefore, my knowledge was limited to those tasks, and opportunities to learn beyond were unfortunately blocked.”

How do you think these conceptual tasks contribute to your learning process?

Martin: “Conceptual tasks are incomplete without experimentation, in my opinion. Hence, the trial and error process plays a huge role in learning. Even if the experiment fails, there are so many new things you learn during the course. Also, the informal discussions with colleagues regarding tasks are helpful. One can always take lessons from those conversations."

What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

Martin: “I have two things to mention, and I think they go hand in hand. The first is to take the initiative even if you don’t feel comfortable with the topic. One needs to come out of their comfort zone, gain knowledge and create something, even if it means creating something to hate at first. It is better to have a first draft and iterate to get better solutions than to have nothing at all. Second, as mentioned before, the trial and error process. Do not be afraid to try out new things.”

To wrap up our interview, do you have any tips for future job applicants?

Martin: “Do not hesitate to gather information while you are at arculus. You’ll always get to learn something new every day. Also, use the networking opportunity.”

If you want to write your thesis with us, reach out here!

Tena joined our Content Team in September last year as a working student. So far, she has left no stone unturned to show us her talent in producing content for arculus. This blog will shed light on her work experience at arculus, its impact on studies, and some useful tips for future applicants. Let’s walk through Tena’s journey in her own words.

Tena, please tell us a bit about yourself first.

Tena: “I am 23 years old and originally come from Croatia. Currently, I am enrolled at Hochschule Fresenius pursuing a Bachelor in Media & Communication Management. It’s my sixth semester, and I intend to do my major in Moving Picture Management. It goes hand in hand with my job at arculus, where I create high-quality content for our online platforms. For example, Instagram Reels, social media banners, etc.”

Do you remember your onboarding process? What did you think of it?

Tena: “Although my onboarding process is long gone, I still vividly remember those days. Some companies I had worked with earlier had no concept of onboarding. Meanwhile, everyone at arculus was so thoughtful and welcoming even if we weren’t on the same team.

My managers ensured that I had all the necessary information, support and tools needed to start doing my job. Although I am quite inquisitive, nobody ever felt irritated with my never-ending questions. I always received more instructions than I would ask for. I actually hope to stay with the company in the long run, too.”

Can you tell us about the work-study life balance at arculus?

Tena: “Being a student myself, I know how difficult the university can get. Deadlines, submissions, presentations, exams, etc. Sometimes there is too much on our plates.

However, I am super excited to work for a company that prioritizes and values my education more than my work. I not only have flexible hours but also the choice to work from anywhere. Unless it’s not a production day, for which I need the camera and equipment, I can choose to work from home, university, or even another city/country. That takes so much weight off my shoulders!”

How would you describe your experience so far in your team?

Tena: “I look forward to my work days just because of the connection I have with my team on so many levels. I mean, how often do you hear from your manager “how was your weekend”? I do, every Monday morning!”

What makes your work experience at arculus different from your previous student jobs/internships?

Tena: “This job gives me enough space to be more creative and think outside the box. For example, I am currently working on a campaign with another working student, that we can proudly call our baby. We are leading it just like a normal full-time employee would do. As far as my memory serves, I never had an opportunity like this before.

You just mentioned that you are leading a campaign. That sounds amazing. How do you feel your job at arculus contributes to your learning process?

Tena: “My learning and development at work are making me stand out in my studies. I now participate more in class or group discussions because I have a practical understanding of the concepts and theories. I have also learned from my team that mistakes and failures are inevitable… so I now know that I should not fear them, but make an extra effort to learn from them. No doubt, it has proven to be crucially important for my growth and development.”

What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

Tena: “As mentioned earlier, I am constantly learning something new in my field. Since my work requires regular contact with my colleagues irrespective of their departments, I have been able to get insights and an overview of internal communications within the company. It is improving my soft skills. Besides, I have also learned that everything is constantly changing. Therefore, I should always be prepared for the challenges that may come my way.”

Last but not the least, any recommendations for students who want to apply for a job at arculus?

Tena: “Soft skills like communication, teamwork and/or critical thinking are equally important as hard skills. You need to possess both to be successful.”

You too can experience the best of work and university life together. Apply at arculus now!

Work-life balance, “the great resignation”, and stress awareness are all trending terms in the post-pandemic world. But how exactly do they relate? In this article, we explore how the arculus people team encourages employees to set healthy work boundaries in order to avoid stress and increase talent retention.

The tech stress epidemic

While work-related stress turns into a more discussed topic, more and more employers have become active when it comes to establishing ways of fostering mental health. Still, a significant cause of the worldwide “stress epidemic” comes from work. A study conducted by Yerbo with 36,200 IT professionals across 33 counties found that two in five workers are at a high risk of burnout. 

The result is evidenced in another report, published by HR software provider Personio: the top reason why employees choose to leave a small or medium company in Europe is a stressful work environment. "The pressure of working against the clock to feed the global tech frenzy often forces employees to work late hours, leaving little time for personal life and creating work-life conflicts," say the Yerbo researchers.

What’s the role of work-life balance?

As a result, employees are also re-evaluating their careers, which is, in turn, causing them to rethink their current professional position. The same study by Personio revealed that 71% of the 5000 interviewees from seven European countries consider work-life balance as the most important factor when choosing an employer. As a comparison, salary ranked in third place, with a score of 68%. 

How do we tackle the issue at arculus?

At arculus, we recognize that as an employer, it is our responsibility to help employees balance their work and home life. The result is employees that are more able to focus on their work and motivated to develop their careers, not to mention an increased loyalty and commitment to the company. And you don’t have to take our word for it: the acas guide on Flexible working and work-life balance emphasizes it, too.

In daily business, this translates to a few practical measures, which are reinforced as part of the arculus culture. First and foremost is the full flexibility in regards to work hours. Yannick, our Employee Experience Partner, explains that “we have such a purpose-driven mentality at arculus, that it’s easy for us to give people the space to take care of themselves while also being sure that they will reach their work goals”.

Another important aspect, however, is to assure that employees also find well-being inside the workplace, and not just in their personal lives. For that, we encourage our staff to organise themselves into sports clubs, while also providing them with the budget they need for these activities. “We currently have hiking, bouldering, cycling, and triathlon groups, not to mention the monthly exercise session organised by one of our team members”, he highlights.

“Once a month I offer to join me at the After-Work-Workout. Especially after a full day spent at the desk, it’s so incredibly good to move. And, of course, it’s even more fun together, both in person, at the office, or via video call with all the other arculus locations.”

Lisa, content creator and unofficial workout specialist at arculus

The practical results

“We definitely see these measures (positively) affecting the overall performance”, says the employee experience specialist. Assuring employees’ needs are fulfilled leads to higher motivation and, consequently, better results. “This is what makes the arculus culture”, he concludes.

The people team currently expects that the purpose-driven mindset combined with our flexible working policy will also allow for fully remote team members to join.

“We are currently working more on recruiting internationally, which, for now, still means relocation, for which we offer full support. But, in the future, we hope that it won’t matter where colleagues are located. If we want you to join the team, we will do everything in our power to make it work."

Yannick, Employee Experience partner.

Curious to learn more about the arculus culture? Check out our career page.