Graduate case studies

Hendryk -

Planner in urban traffic

Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

About the job

Main responsibilities

- Operating the pc-program to simulate and prognosticate city traffic.
- Constantly updating the city's public transport plan.
- Developing concepts for parking in the city centre.
- Giving statements to citizens, councillors and other planners.
- Keeping the department's website up-to-date.

Typical day

Mostly in front of my pc in the office; intermitted by on-site inspections and meetings, committee meetings in the evening; sometimes official trips and qualifications.

What do I enjoy about my job?

As well as the above, pleasant working hours (not too early, no unpaid overtime), good salary and quite a safe job.

Challenging aspects

- Uncountable opinions from inside and outside the organisation; hard to find reasonable compromises that a council's majority accepts.
- Projects often dying off if you don't permanently put them back on the agenda.
- Workload absolutely uneven and unpredictable.
- Dealing with difficult people and negativity from colleagues in the workplace.

Why did this area of work appeal to me?

Chance to make the everyday life of 230,000 citizens plus commuters and visitors a little better; chance to implement ecological measures; chance to leave a local legacy.

Skills/qualifications I use in my job?

- Methods of executing and presenting studies/ projects (from university).
- PC-handling (from university and self-education)
- Negotiation and convincibility (inherent).

Training I receive as part of my job

Learning by doing; except a seminar on public law.

Career information

Brief history since leaving University

No certified extra qualifications.
References from former job:
- new and modernised business parks
- feasibility studies
- regional development concepts
References from current job:
- Halle's plan of public transport
- some parking concepts
- parking management in Halle's CBD
- zone of maximum speed (20 kmph) in Halle's CBD
- heavy vehicles regulations in Halle's CBD

Where do I see myself in the future?

In the same position, but at a more senior level; perhaps in another city.

Advice to students

My piece of advice to students

Pass internships where you want to work later on and use every chance building up connections to potential employers.