Roman Mühl
Internship at Mercedes Benz G GmbH.
Key data
Job description: Civil and Military Sales Management
Company: Mercedes Benz G GmbH (100% subsidiary of Daimler AG)
Ort: Graz, Austria
I did my internship from 3 March to 31 August 2014.
What I did
Project Management The Mercedes Benz G-class is also offered as a military version alongside the civilian version and is adapted to customer requirements. During my internship, I had the opportunity to make an active contribution to project meetings, project planning and presentations during a project with the Swedish military. I found working on this project to be very exciting, diverse and educational in terms of the economic and technical aspects, which included determining the electromagnetic compatibility of radio systems in a long range patrol vehicle. My tasks also included preparing various project contracts, monitoring delivery schedules and taking part in international telephone conferences where the languages I have learnt proved very useful.
Market Communication The wide range of customer and market events involved, such as the cooperation between AMG & IWC Schaffhausen or the market-specific China event, required logistical solutions. The expertise I had acquired again proved very useful here. The ‘Graz Experience’, a three-week international customer event, also involved taking test drives on the test track at Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG and on the off-road track on the Schöckl mountain near Graz.
Product Management The product management involved preparing price lists and sales presentations, answering customer enquiries and working on my own independent project. The project involved documenting the production of the G-Guard special armoured vehicle from the outset and compiling training documents in relation to this vehicle class.
Why I enjoyed my internship
The projects with experienced engineers and experts in vehicle construction were very exciting, as was the project management. The insight into the production of these luxury cars and driving these 600 HP monsters was unbelievable! It’s hard to wipe the grin from your face as soon as you step on the accelerator! I also really enjoyed the international customer contact in the sector which required economic and technical input on a daily basis.
What I learned
I acquired significant expertise during my project work with the team members. It became very clear in the various meetings and telephone conferences just how important soft skills are in technical projects. Specialist expertise in electrical engineering, material sciences, the legal aspects of contract law and environmental and transport management were also among the skills I acquired during the internship.
My biggest success / My greatest experience
Test driving the AMG versions of the Mercedes Benz G-class on the test track, the Mercedes Benz G 500 on the Schöckl mountain off-road test track and the Mercedes Benz G63 6x6, the ‘monster’, were among the key moments which I will remember for the rest of my life. It was great to experience the enthusiasm and pride which go into this legendary vehicle and to be a part of this team.
How I secured the internship
Completing an internship in technical sales was very important to me because I come from a sales background. Assertiveness, will power, a strong application and a job interview in a pleasant atmosphere allowed me to undertake a fantastic internship as part of a great team, without any connections.
What I want to do in the future
The Mercedes Benz G GmbH company is a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG and as such is a renowned company. The G-class has been built in Graz for the last 35 years which, as an Austrian, I really appreciate because value creation remains in the region and secures jobs. I am striving for a senior management position with an international technology company, either as a departmental or company manager. My sales internship at Mercedes Benz has already offered me insight into these roles. The automotive industry is a demanding sector when it comes to technology, finance and innovation. Thanks to my degree in Energy, Transport and Environmental Management, I always feel well prepared and energised to tackle the ever-changing parameters in the sector such as alternative drive technologies.
