With the start of my part-time job at BMW, an exciting new chapter unfolded that year. The uncertainty about how the team would receive me and what tasks lay ahead accompanied me. My first week at BMW kicked off faster than expected, and despite being proud of my previous success, I still felt a certain level of uncertainty.

In the initial days, I was not only confronted with a plethora of new technical terms and abbreviations but also with a different work culture that was unfamiliar to me until then. My previous experiences had mostly taken place in a home office for other companies, and now I suddenly found myself with 40 colleagues in a spacious room. Each team had its own island, named after the paradisiacal islands of Hawaii – ours was “Kauaii,” naturally the coolest island. The pace was different, and bureaucratic structures shaped daily life.

During this phase, I could not only learn a lot about the responsibilities and tasks of my department but also benefit greatly from the people in my team. The team, consisting of Max, David, Flo, and Christine, made my entry much smoother.

Max proved to be a calming influence within the team. His tranquility was contagious, and he always maintained composure, even in hectic situations. Max lived by the motto of not taking life too seriously. He handled the little things with admirable resilience, even when they were sometimes annoying. His discipline was evident not only in his work but also in his eating habits and abstention from alcohol.

Christine, who always seemed to have everything under control, demonstrated not only organizational talent but also great leadership. Her professional demeanor and the ability to quickly recognize the strengths of team members made her a reliable mentor. David brought a harmonious balance of humor and professionalism to the team. His humorous presence contributed to a pleasant atmosphere without sacrificing focus and professionalism.

In the midst of this team, I found not only colleagues but also friends who supported me and helped me acclimate to the new environment. Together, we formed the coolest team.