Women on the assembly line

Three young women are employed in our assembly plant. They have made their love of engineering their career. Today, we present Andrea Kasbauer who works on the assembly of mower conditioners.

PÖTTINGER: What prompted you to become a steel construction engineer?

Andrea Kasbauer: I already knew at the age of 15 that I didn't want a typical woman's job, but wanted to work in engineering instead. But as the youngest of six children I had to go along with my parents' wishes at first, so I trained as a cook for three years.

PÖTTINGER: How did your career as a steel construction engineer develop and why did you apply for a job at PÖTTINGER?

Andrea Kasbauer: When my first son was a year old, I was itching to get back to work. But it had to be work I could do at night so that I could be with my children. So I started working full-time on the night shift in the painting line division at PÖTTINGER. At the same time I trained as a steel construction engineer. The course was in the evening, with practical training at weekends. That I was able to do all that is entirely thanks to my husband's marvellous support. The children coped very well with the situation, too. Sometimes the children and I did our homework together – theirs for school and mine for my training course. Once the training was finished, I switched to the assembly line where I currently work during the day, since my sons are no longer so dependent on me.

PÖTTINGER: How did your family and friends react to your choice of career?

Andrea Kasbauer: My acquaintances and friends didn't think I'd pull it off, but my colleagues at the company were always right behind me.

PÖTTINGER: What it is like for you now at work?

Andrea Kasbauer: We're really a very good team. Although I'm very adaptable, there are times when I have to stick up for myself.

PÖTTINGER: Would you choose this career again?

Andrea Kasbauer: I would advise all girls to have more confidence to choose a career like this. Because I enjoy my work so much, I think in retrospect that I should have done the apprenticeship when I was 15. My mother always wanted me to marry a farmer, so that may be where my interest in agricultural machinery comes from. My two sons are also training as mechanical engineers and steel and metal engineers. My husband is a foreman. So careers in engineering and construction are the rule in our family, as it were.

PÖTTINGER: What targets have you set yourself?

Andrea Kasbauer: I would like to do a welding course, just out of interest.

I'm very grateful that I was given the chance to move to assembly. You need to be fairly tough, but I would nevertheless like to be an example to other women.

PÖTTINGER: What sort of hobbies does a woman like you have, who is so interested in technology?

Andrea Kasbauer: I go running almost every day, because sport is good for you. At first, I got myself a "running dog", but he's so lazy that I prefer to run on my own and only occasionally take my dog.

PÖTTINGER: Thank you very much for talking to us, and we wish you continued success and enjoyment for your exciting job.