Exploring new paths, embracing new perspectives, GROWing with new experiences

Alina Diekmann found the company she would grow to love early in her career, but she didn’t realize it at the time. “I never thought I would end up working permanently at DHL back then,” she recalls.

After high school and before university, she worked as a DHL courier – a job she remembers fondly. She wanted to gain real-world experience before starting her studies – and she loved the work. “I enjoyed the ‘running around’ and driving the delivery vehicles,” she says with a smile.

Her enthusiasm for a role that kept her moving forward isn’t surprising. The avid traveler is always on the go. She recently ran the Deutsche Post Half Marathon in Bonn!

Despite the positive experience behind the wheel of a DHL delivery van, Alina wanted to explore other roads. She completed a dual study bachelor’s degree program in hotel and tourism management in Hamburg, Germany. The program was a perfect place for her can-do attitude. “I like finding quick solutions, and you definitely have to be able to do that in the hotel business,” she says. “I like to tackle things and make people happy.”

Alina’s sense of adventure was far from tamed, so she applied for and received a scholarship from the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), a dynamic exchange program jointly offered by the United States and German governments. As part of CBYX, she did a year of work-study in Chicago (USA), focusing on human resources.

Alina’s unforgettable experience on the other side of the Atlantic left her even more determined to grow and develop her skills. While still in Chicago, she found and applied for what looked like the perfect next step: the GROW Trainee Program at DHL Group. 

Alina was excited about the 18-month graduate program, which promised a diverse experience. GROW trainees apply to work in a department that best suits their strengths, interests, and career goals – which becomes their “home” department for the program. They also get to pick and experience two other areas of DHL’s business, each for three months. That includes a three-month assignment abroad if trainees choose the international program.

Alina’s home has been the Occupational Safety Department at DHL Group headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The department is part of Human Resources, which matches her previous training and experience well. She works on a team of ten colleagues, focusing on administrative optimization and initiatives in occupational safety. The topic has quickly become a personal matter for her. 

One of Alina’s 3-month exchanges was in one of our logistics facilities in Cologne, where she experienced the challenges and perspectives of her colleagues in operations first-hand. She was particularly impressed with the organization and teamwork – a well-oiled team rapidly processing incoming and outgoing shipments.

After getting to know processes and interacting with the team, she got the opportunity to develop and lead a new initiative aimed at strengthening the safety culture at the site. She jumped at the chance to make a difference. “We actively involved colleagues in the process and promoted their understanding of the measures,” Alina explains. Her mission quickly became more than raising awareness about health and safety; she also promoted communication within the team. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to speak openly about hazards and find solutions together,” she adds.

A central element of the initiative was a buddy system, where colleagues could support each other and discuss workplace hazards. Other elements included multilingual safety videos and placing safety information in highly visible locations, such as on the restroom wall.

The initiative was well received and seen as a significant benefit to all. Al ina and her team were greatly relieved. “It’s important that everyone arrives at work healthy and returns home to their families healthy,” she emphasizes.

A special highlight of her GROW traineeship was joining “Yellow on the Ground” – an initiative that sent 15 GROW trainees from several DHL divisions to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum. Global leaders from business, politics, academia, and civil society gather at this highly anticipated annual meeting to discuss major economic, social, and environmental issues. DHL Group is a strategic partner of the WEF.

Their mission was to increase the visibility of DHL Group at the event and raise awareness about what we do among attendees. Dressed in striking red and yellow winter jackets, team Yellow on the Ground stood out from the crowd. Two robotic dogs and our own DHL EffiBOT – a “follow-me” robot that can carry heavy loads as it follows workers around warehouses – added a unique touch to their presence and led to engaging conversations.

The group met people from all over the world. Alina recalls meeting a Harvard professor and discussing HR topics. “It was a fantastic experience to have interesting conversations and increase DHL’s visibility. And there was a lot of interest in the EffiBOT. One person I talked to saw potential in the hospital where he works. It was exciting to showcase how we utilize our innovations, and it was rewarding to see others recognize the value these technologies could bring to their own companies for optimization and improvement.”

Alina brought her positive attitude, adventurous spirit, and hands-on mentality to GROW and made the most of it. She’s now a junior expert in occupational safety and a real asset to our HR team at DHL Group headquarters. When she applied to the program, she recognized the value of variety, and now she knows how priceless it is to have worked in a variety of positions and gotten to know other parts of the business. 

“It’s important that we all take different perspectives and find solutions together.”