Apprenticeships - how to find your true vocation

Stef was still going to school when he took a trial stint at Bründl. Then he returned to work there voluntarily and his stints included weekends. And he had hardly finished his final year at school when he got offered an apprenticeship. Today, at 18, he sells shoes in the Flagshipstore in Kaprun. That's cool, as people say in this area known as Salzburger Land. On the one hand Bründl, which has a weakness for talent and holds the tilte of "Best Training Company". On the other the young guy from Taxenbach, who made it to become Junior Sales Champion of Austria in a sales competition. By way of reward his employer gave him the money for his driving license. For Stef motivation to continue to do his best whether he is selling winter shoes, mountain boots, gloves or backpacks. He enjoys working with different people from the locals to the Arab tourists. And appreciates the many further training offers whether it's porduct training, E-learning or the many workshops outside held by the Junior Academy. And should things get boring: "Then", says Stef, "you can always move to another shop."

A-levels check, snag a university place for journalism, move to Vienna - there are worse things, aren't there? At the time Magdalena, 20 years old, born in Pinzgau, would definitely have defended her choice. But the path that led her to Vienna proved to be a dead end. Back in Kaprun, she recalled that she gets on well with people, and she is sporty anyhow. And when her mother asked what suited her she thought of Bründl. She already enjoyed shopping here as a child. The whole spirit and everything. Magdalena temped in Saalfelden, had a job in Saalbach, and finally opted for the Alpine Center on Kitzsteinhorn - on an employee salary where she began a training as a retail saleswoman specializing in sports articles. You can't get much higher than ascending the 2.500 meters by cable car every day to work. But what did Hollywood legend Samuel Goldwyn say: "Start with an earthquake and build up to a climax."

Christopher, known as Chri, initially trained as a cook. Later as a technician for printers and photocopiers he developed an interest in IT, and today he only ever cooks at home. At Bründl the man from Kaprun is doing an IT training. The 29-year old could have shortened the procedure but started from training year one. "Either all or nothing, working professionally is very important to me." The job, says Chri, is interesting, every day brings new adventures. The responsibility? Enormous. Chri has access to 1.200 technical devices such as servers, computers, tills and cash machine terminals. As a trainee - something the EDP freak finds amazing. That also means: Transpose the numbers and the whole infrastructure of the shops is messed up. Which means you  need to be as focused as possible. How does he manage that? "By drinking a lot, airing the room, getting up and stretching." And sport? "I am a typcial IT geek", grins Chri and adds: "I'm probably the least sporty person at Bründl."