Career and professional development of Julia Schafroth

Julia has been part of our company for 15 years. What started as an apprenticeship gradually developed into a great success story. With her dedication, expertise, and positive attitude, she has continuously developed professionally and took on the role of team leader for Duplicate Keys & Support in 2019.

To celebrate her 15th anniversary, we took the opportunity to ask Julia a few questions about her time with us:

You have been part of our company for 15 years. Can you still remember your first day of work?

Yes, a little. It was my very first day of work after ten years of school, and of course I was pretty excited. When my fellow apprentices and I entered the Picasso, all eyes were suddenly on us. That was a bit unnerving at first. But after the words of welcome and the tour, my nerves quickly subsided and I soon felt right at home, also because I was welcomed with open arms by my first department, Purchasing.

Looking back on your time as an apprentice: What do you remember most?

The sense of solidarity among us apprentices was tremendous. Whether commercial, logistics, IT, or design – at lunchtime we all gathered in the canteen, ate together, laughed, and chatted. We were a little too loud for some people at times, so they left the canteen voluntarily 😃 I can say that I had a wonderful time as an apprentice. And the best thing is: during that time, I found a friend for life who – just like me – still works here today. Sending my regards! 😃

Was there a moment or milestone that had a significant impact on your professional development?

In addition to the successful completion of my apprenticeship in 2014, taking on the role of team leader in the Duplicate Keys & Support team in 2019 was undoubtedly one of the biggest milestones in my professional development. This new responsibility was an important step for me and has shaped me both professionally and personally.

What are you particularly proud of in your career so far?

I’m particularly proud that I’ve been able to continuously develop in my role and have grown with my tasks and the associated responsibility. At the same time, I’m pleased that I still carry out this role with great enthusiasm and commitment today.

What do you like most about your role as a team leader today?

What I like most is the daily interaction with all kinds of different people and characters. I really appreciate sharing my knowledge and being able to support my team. It’s particularly nice for me to see how the individual team members develop and grow with their tasks.

What does good leadership mean to you?

For me, good leadership means creating trust, setting clear goals, and providing employees with the support they need to develop and bring their strengths into play. I believe that openness, mutual appreciation, and treating one another with respect are the keys to success – in the truest sense of the word. 🔑

What motivates you every day in your work?

For me, the greatest motivation is the people. I really enjoy working with different personalities and appreciate the daily interaction. As I like to communicate, I also enjoy contact with our customers. No two days are the same – there are always new conversations, challenges, and opportunities to make a difference together. 😊

What skills or insights have you developed in particular over the past 15 years?

I’ve learned that not all problems can be solved immediately and that patience is often an important factor for success. I’ve also realized how important it is, especially in leadership, to recognize each person individually, respond to their different needs, and promote their specific strengths.

What advice would you give your younger self at the beginning of your apprenticeship

Have fun, be open, be communicative, and don’t be afraid to try something new. So actually, do exactly what I did. Hahaha! 😄

What does your 15th anniversary mean to you personally?

Wow, that’s a difficult question. I know that many people don’t understand why I didn’t look for my next career move at another company after completing my apprenticeship. For me personally, however, there was never any reason to do that, because ASSA ABLOY had everything I wanted. I’ve always been supported and encouraged and have had the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally over the years. When I think today that I’ve been working here for 15 years now and have spent half my life at ASSA ABLOY, it makes me feel proud. At the same time, I’m very grateful for all the experiences, opportunities, and, above all, for the people who have accompanied me on my journey so far.