GermanLinx :: German and Careers

Corina Baini

Corina Employed in DMU (Digital Mock-Up) Coordination, by AUDI AG, Ingolstadt, Germany. In this job I work solely in the German language.

I am responsible for coordinating a group of people to ensure firstly that the parts in the front-end of the A4 car fit together statically, and that the dynamic movement of the engine and transmission does not cause collisions with other parts in the front-end. In addition, it must be ensured that the front-end is buildable on the production line, that quality assurance approves the fit, and that customer service approves with regard to after sales service.

At present my role focuses on a future A4 variant. I communicate extensively with engineers on resolving design problems. I run weekly meetings with the component and test engineers, as well as representatives from the pilot plant, production, quality assurance, and customer service. It would be impossible to do this job without being able to speak German, as it is the working language.

I studied Aerospace Engineering and Business Administration at RMIT University in Melbourne. At school I studied French for 3.5 years, as well as some Italian. I never actually studied German before arriving in Germany to undertake a work placement at Audi in Neckarsulm (Aluminium Centre, working in Crash Simulation).

I basically learnt German through self-learning and practice in this first year. This was followed by employment in a Professional Development Programme (International) with Audi, which included individual language classes. This helped with developing my grammar. My fluency in German continues to improve in my current job, which involves a great deal of communication, and the use of technical German.
It would of course have been much easier, if I had studied German at secondary school, as learning a language at a younger age is much easier, and then later all you need is practice.

The benefits of knowledge of foreign languages for myself have been immense, with respect to working and travelling in other countries. I work in the German language on a daily basis. Certain projects at work have additionally required English. I have been grateful for my knowledge of German, French, Italian, Arabic, (and of course English) through my travels in Europe and the Middle East. It has aided with things such as asking for directions, ordering a meal, or having a conversation with a local.

For further information, I am contactable at: corinabaini@gmx.net

Corina Baini

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