Getting out of your comfort zone and into your growth zone

Leaving your comfort zone is key to unlocking new opportunities and finding yourself – especially as a young adult. Moving away from your hometown or country, even for a few months, allows you to learn, grow, and discover aspects of yourself that would have remained hidden at home. In 2018, I embraced this opportunity and packed my bags for a semester-long consulting internship at the Miebach Office in the USA — a memorable experience that led me to discover my professional path and my future employer.

As part of my bachelor’s degree, I was required to complete an internship abroad for the length of one semester. Only a few months before that, I had interned with Miebach during my previous semester break. Through Miebach’s global network, I was able to secure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an internship abroad in the Miebach US Office.

My move to the USA went quite smoothly. Before starting my internship, I did a four-week road trip, making my start in the USA truly breathtaking and exhilarating. I arrived in Indianapolis the weekend before my internship began. Upon my arrival, I received a warm welcome from my roommates. Beforehand, I had already been able to connect with a current intern at the US office in Indianapolis, so I was able to get answers to important questions in advance. This newly formed connection also allowed me to organize my accommodation in the USA from Germany

In my first week, I had my first typical challenge one faces in a new position: getting everything IT-related up and running. After that, things moved quickly. I was staffed on a project and became a full-fledged member of a project team, traveling to the client on-site and having my own assignments.

The visa application and approval process was a bit lengthy but overall, the logistical challenges were minimal. From a social standpoint, I was lucky -  thanks to my roommates and the supportive and awesome office culture with colleagues who welcomed me right away. The real challenge came with the work itself. The project work was intense - I was not simply shadowing others or taking on small tasks, but an immediately integrated, full member of the project team, all with the support from my colleagues whenever I needed anything.

One key project involved a time-study at a client’s site. After receiving thorough training, I got to prove myself – I spent several days independently recording process times. This project was particularly rewarding, as it allowed me to contribute meaningfully while learning hands-on skills in data analysis and process optimization. The extensive travel—four days a week at client sites across the country—was challenging but yet incredibly fulfilling, with project locations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego.

Miebach provided exceptional support throughout my entire stay. From an initial conversation with Christina Schühle in the Frankfurt office, who was working in the US office at that time, to the connection with current interns, and the administrative exchange with the office manager. Additionally, Miebach supported me financially – apart from my salary and expenses, Miebach covered my flight costs for my arrival and departure to and from the USA.

I received a lot of professional support and was able to celebrate not only the clients but also my successes! My experience in the previous internship with Miebach as well as the practical consulting internship abroad helped me decide to take on a long-term career with Miebach – to build on the foundation we had established so far. For me, the biggest difference about Miebach is that even as an intern, you are more than just a number or a coffee-maker. Looking back, I still reminisce and cherish my experience to this day – it remains one of the highlights of my professional and personal journey, as it brought me valuable experiences in my professional journey as well as personal ones. The couple with whom I shared an apartment during my stay, attended my recent wedding. Therefore, it is a truly lasting memory in all aspects.