I applied for the Siemens Finance Excellence Program for two reasons: First, I really wanted to undergo a structured finance program that would allow me to assume challenging responsibilities in the different finance functions within the company. Secondly, I believe my personal values are in line with those of the company – responsibility, excellence, and innovation. I have set my expectations around these parameters and, so far, Siemens has met or exceeded them completely.

Coming from an industry finance background, I thought my first assignment would be in a finance-related division or business unit. Interestingly, I started to work for Corporate Investor Relations. This assignment has shed light on just how important proper communication is to the capital markets and to senior management. Even if external analysts and investors have their own mathematical models and assumptions to value the company, what Siemens communicates to the market and how it is communicated can still significantly impact the company’s valuation. In addition, this opportunity has been a great introduction to the company as I had to familiarize myself with all the divisions at Siemens and their corresponding market environments.

Having worked in the United States and Asia, I suspected early on that working in continental Europe or in Germany would also be different. Talking to Germans and former expatriates in Germany while I was a student in London and studying the German language during my first two months in Munich have helped me in my transition to my new life in Germany.

For something that you really want in life or for something that you really believe in, making a less-than-extraordinary effort is simply not enough.