Learned
Advanced Training – IT & Software Consultant for Digital Product Management
Franklin Institute of Applied Sciences in cooperation with Product People GmbH, Remote
08/2025 – 06/2026
Advanced Training – IT Project Management
IU Academy, Remote (distance learning)
03/2024 – 07/2024
Apprenticeship – Specialist in Application Development (Dual Program)
XAVO AG, Bayreuth & Staatliche Berufsschule I Bayreuth
09/2017 – 07/2020
Banking Apprenticeship – Dual Program
Deutsche Bank AG Duesseldorf & Leo-Statz-Berufskolleg, Duesseldorf
08/2000 – 07/2003
Abitur
Burgau Gymnasium, Dueren
In this practice-oriented training, I focused on the structured development of digital products and the application of modern product management methods in real project scenarios. The program emphasized agile ways of working and the iterative development of solutions, including the use of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to validate assumptions early, reduce risks, and continuously refine product concepts.
A central part of the training was user research and user-centered product development. I conducted qualitative and quantitative research, including interviews, surveys, and structured analysis methods such as personas, customer journeys, and Jobs-to-Be-Done. These approaches helped translate user insights into informed product decisions and clearer prioritization.
Another key component was data-driven product evaluation. I defined business goals and measured outcomes using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate product performance, user engagement, and the impact of product decisions. This strengthened my ability to connect product strategy, analytics, and decision-making in a measurable way.
The training was strongly project-based, involving the analysis of real-world problem scenarios, the development of solution concepts, and the creation of prototypes. This approach reinforced a structured, analytical, and practical mindset in product management and digital product development, with a strong focus on clarity, validation, and continuous improvement.
Overall, this experience strengthened my ability to combine user understanding, business thinking, and technical feasibility to design products that deliver measurable value and solve real problems.
The program aimed to equip participants with the skills to plan, manage, and control IT projects in both agile and traditional environments. It covered In this program, I developed a structured understanding of how to plan, manage, and control IT projects in both agile and traditional project environments. The training focused on translating project goals into executable plans and maintaining transparency, predictability, and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
Key topics included risk management, stakeholder communication, scheduling, resource planning, and project controlling. Working with these methods strengthened my ability to anticipate potential risks early, structure complex initiatives into manageable phases, and ensure that progress and outcomes remain measurable.
Practical exercises played an important role in applying project management frameworks, estimation techniques, and planning tools in realistic scenarios. This hands-on approach helped me understand how theoretical methods translate into everyday project work, where priorities shift, constraints appear, and decisions must be made under uncertainty.
The training also sharpened my ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders, align expectations, and maintain a consistent flow of information across teams. These capabilities are essential in product and project environments where clarity, coordination, and decision speed directly influence delivery success.
Overall, this program strengthened my competence in structured planning, risk-aware decision-making, and data-informed project steering, providing a solid foundation for managing complex digital initiatives.essential aspects such as risk management, stakeholder communication, scheduling, resource planning, and project controlling. Practical exercises were provided to help participants effectively apply common project management methods and tools.
During my dual vocational training in software development, I worked in a real production environment while simultaneously building a strong theoretical foundation in programming, database design, software architecture, testing, and technical documentation. This combination of practice and theory provided a structured understanding of how software systems are designed, built, and operated in real business contexts.
A significant part of the training involved developing application components, maintaining databases, and supporting digital business processes in operational systems. Working on real-world applications required a high level of precision, structured thinking, and problem-solving, especially when changes had to be implemented without disrupting ongoing operations.
Through daily work in development environments, I learned to understand software not only as code, but as part of a broader system of users, processes, and business requirements. This perspective shaped my approach to building solutions that are not only technically correct, but also usable, maintainable, and aligned with real workflows.
The training also strengthened my ability to analyze complex problems, structure tasks into manageable steps, and communicate technical topics clearly. These capabilities later became a strong foundation for my transition into product management, where understanding both technical constraints and user needs is essential.
During the practical phase of my banking apprenticeship, I worked in a customer-facing environment where the focus was on financial consulting, account management, and operational banking processes. This role required a combination of structured work, regulatory awareness, and clear communication, all of which later proved highly valuable in project and product environments.
My responsibilities included advising customers on account types, explaining banking services, and supporting them in selecting suitable financial products. I processed customer orders, handled domestic and international payments, and assisted in preparing and managing consumer loans, mortgages, and other financial agreements.
In addition to customer interaction, I was involved in contract preparation, process coordination, and internal workflow planning. I also supported accounting controls and ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies, strengthening my understanding of structured processes, accuracy, and risk awareness.
A central part of the training focused on developing a holistic understanding of financial services. This included building and maintaining customer relationships, supporting liquidity planning, advising on savings and investment products, and providing guidance on insurance and risk protection. I also contributed to preparing financing solutions for private and business customers and worked with tools used for commercial controlling and reporting.
Working in this environment strengthened my ability to structure complex information, communicate clearly with different stakeholders, and maintain accuracy and reliability in process-driven work. These skills translate directly into product and project management, where clarity, trust, and process discipline are essential.
My Abitur provided the academic foundation that later supported my work as a Software Developer, Banking Specialist, and IT Project Coordinator. The education emphasized analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, and independent learning, all of which became essential skills in technical and business environments.
I developed strong capabilities in Mathematics, English, Physics, and History. Mathematics strengthened my logical reasoning and ability to structure complex problems. English enabled me to work confidently with international documentation, technical literature, and cross-border communication. Physics trained my systematic thinking and understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, which later proved valuable in software and process analysis. History sharpened my ability to analyze contexts, recognize patterns, and understand how decisions influence long-term outcomes.
This combination of subjects built a mindset that connects analysis, communication, and structured reasoning. These competencies later translated directly into software development, financial consulting, and project coordination, where clarity, precision, and the ability to understand complex systems are essential.
Education in technology and product development often evolves step by step. Technical depth, business thinking, and user-centered perspectives rarely emerge from a single discipline. They develop by combining knowledge from different fields and applying it in real-world situations until patterns and connections become clear.