Rico Mücke was already tinkering with computers as a child, but becoming a computer scientist with poor school grades?
How our alumnus found his way to his dream job in a roundabout way.
Rico is one of ten JOBLINGE alumni we are introducing on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of JOBLINGE gAG Leipzig.
Rico, at first you wanted to become a motor vehicle mechatronics technician, then an event manager.
How did you finally switch to becoming an IT specialist?
My path was not very straightforward!
I first started an apprenticeship as an automotive mechatronics technician and then dropped out because it wasn’t what I wanted to do.
After a few part-time jobs, friends recommended JOBLINGE, where I felt very comfortable.
I really liked the whole concept!
During the interest and career test, event manager was at the top of my list.
Through the fantastic colleagues at JOBLINGE, I was then introduced to Leipziger Messe, where I applied for an internship as an event manager.
Exciting!
You ended up doing your apprenticeship as an IT specialist for system integration at the trade fair.
My CV said that I had been tinkering with computers since I was 7 years old and that ultimately paved the way for me.
The deputy head of the IT department sat in on the interview for the internship as an event manager.
He asked me if I would like to take a look at the IT specialist apprenticeship.
That was my entry into the profession: I never thought that this apprenticeship could be something for me – because of my poor grades!
Now I’m still a computer scientist at the trade fair and graduated from vocational school with a 1.0.
Has a childhood dream come true?
I actually wanted to be a computer scientist for a long time and was always passionate about IT.
But I never thought that my grades would allow it and that this option would be open to me.
When I was offered the first opportunity through the IT internship, I grabbed it and made the best of it.
During the internship and the entry qualification, I showed what I could do and what I was capable of.
Then my school grades were no longer so important.
I am totally happy with how it went for me: I received fantastic support, both at the fair and at JOBLINGE.
The combination of theory and practice in the dual apprenticeship means you grow into the job and learn practically straight away, which I liked.
What do you particularly enjoy about your job?
I like the many facets that IT activities entail!
There are so many specialist disciplines, many of which are not necessarily so well known outside the industry.
In my job, I try to find solutions and make the technology work.
Being the interface between computers and people is fantastic: helping colleagues understand the problems or systems – and then being able to help yourself later!
It’s an aha effect that makes me think: “I’ve done something right!”
