Great opportunities and plenty of responsibility for young chemists and engineers

Chemist Thea is in charge of introducing the new electronic shift book system to all Röhm sites worldwide. Her task is part of Röhm’s digitalization strategy. “I was actually offered this project during my probation period. It was a real leap of faith,” she says.

The young chemist joined Röhm following a call for applications for the International Production and Technology Program (IPAT). Over the course of three years, the IPAT program prepares young, well-qualified professionals with a background in Chemistry or Engineering to take on management roles in Production and Technology at the methacrylate group’s plants and facilities.

After obtaining her doctorate, Thea began looking for a job. She initially wanted to pursue her career outside of Germany. “But the job conditions in the German chemical industry are just ideal,” says Thea. And as she wanted to move from research to industry and was looking for a position that offered her plenty of development opportunities right from the start, the IPAT program fit perfectly into her plan.

IPAT trainee Thea, “I've got a great position here at Röhm as an assistant plant manager.”

From day one on, she was involved in the day-to-day production at Röhm’s Wesseling site, experiencing everything that Röhm is invested in: chemistry, products and people. “I get to pursue a lot of things here that interest me and also have to step out of my comfort zone ever so often,” says Thea. But this is exactly what she wanted. There are of course also tasks that feel more challenging, but that still need to be taken care of. Something that the chemist appreciated right from the start: “As an IPAT trainee you don’t have to know and be able to do everything right from the start. Our supervisors give us the space to learn.” Furthermore, she says the fact that people are aware of the IPAT program within the company is a great help when it comes to collaborations and networking.

Her advice is that you need to be inquisitive, open-minded and flexible if you decide on taking part in the three-year program. Thea knows what she is talking about here; so far, the Covid pandemic has delayed her assignment abroad as part of the IPAT program. This is even more disappointing for Thea as travelling and immersing herself in other cultures is one of the ways she finds a balance to her professional life. “This passion of mine ties in quite well with a professional stay abroad,” says Thea, who has been learning Chinese for several months already in preparation for the assignment.

“I've got a great position here at Röhm as an assistant plant manager,” she says. “I can and also want to use it to empower others because working in diverse teams is especially rewarding and I really enjoy it.” This is also why she thinks it is great that Röhm is currently working intensively on further developing new models and ways of working.

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