Be a pioneer willing to tinker

• Rotating from the client to the product side, gaining core competencies in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
• Mentor always supports and finds the most suitable field for oneself
• In the latest and most difficult fields, one must have the courage to explore and challenge

When I joined the Siemens Graduate Program (SGP) as a fresh graduate in 2018, I was just a novice passionate about cutting-edge digital technology. It is difficult to have a real sense of the three job rotation opportunities provided by SGP (PLM direction). What are the job functions of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)? What is the specific job? Can I quickly adapt and find a suitable position for myself? I am as confused as any colleague who is about to join the workplace.

My mentor is also familiar with such doubts. After understanding my academic background and career interests, he suggested that I follow my subjective wishes to make choices. In order to truly understand the product architecture, I chose to start with strategic consulting and gain a preliminary experience of the operational process before the product was launched. During the process, I learned a lot of methodologies for product optimization from many architects.

Personally participating in the landing and implementation of Digital Twin technology in the Chinese market has also given me a strong feeling that I need more exercise to accumulate a deep technical foundation in cutting-edge fields.

For this reason, I secured a position at Siemens Industrial Software (DISW) and began my second rotation: entering the customer after-sales service department, where I had a close encounter with the cutting-edge technology of Teamcenter, a product lifecycle management software. I not only came from Beijing to Guangzhou for this job transition, but also shifted from pre-sales to after-sales. This slightly bold attempt was thanks to the full support of my mentor, as well as advice from senior colleagues and seniors around me.

I have found that my interest lies in challenging technical fields. More cutting-edge technology at Siemens.

For the third position of SGP, I applied for the technical research and development position, and got the job rotation opportunity from Siemens headquarters in Germany to engage in more product research and development work, including the research and development of edge computing and artificial intelligence, as well as technical support for digital product architecture.

My rotation experience from the client side to the product side has given me a new perspective on PLM. The core competencies that an excellent PLM should possess are not only mature product thinking and timely multi-party coordination, but also leadership qualities that dare to take responsibility.

This process also helped me establish connections with the organization and peers as early as possible, and the later I realized that many things are not accomplished solely by personal abilities, but are driven by the connections between people.

At the end of the job rotation and the final job placement, it was the precious connection that helped me win the job opportunity of edge computing. A large organization means more opportunities, while individual achievement is focused on breakthroughs at the intersection of personal expectations and organizational expectations. Compared to a stable career, this is destined to be a difficult path to take.

I am someone who is willing to 'tinker', fortunately, I have met a group of like-minded people here to tinker with me.