To the Classmate Who Told Me to Apply for Work Experience at Vodafone: Thank You

When I started my Master’s degree, I knew that it would be necessary to gain work experience before even completing my studies. I began asking friends and acquaintances and in one of my classes, I was talking to a classmate who was very enthusiastic about Vodafone. He said he was very satisfied there, compared to his previous experience at a Big Four company. 

So I couldn’t resist. I saw on their website that Vodafone was hiring for a part-time position and decided to try my luck. Right from the first interview, I had a very good feeling. 

Starting my career at Vodafone

I am currently on a nine-month work experience program at Vodafone, working as a Junior Pricing Specialist on the Operational Pricing team. 

Before this, I’d had mostly sporadic student jobs. I was mainly focused on my university studies. I worked as a waiter, in a warehouse, and spent two months working at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. I also worked for a few months as an assistant in a small financial advisory firm, but I was not interested in this field at all and knew that I definitely did not want to do this.

When I started talking to Vodafone, I really liked the company culture, and the team manager I applied to also seemed great. Within about a week, HR contacted me, and I went for a second interview. And right after the second interview, I received an offer to join Vodafone. I didn't hesitate and accepted the offer that same day.

Non-stop learning so far

I must say that in just nine months, I have learned a great deal. In addition to the procedural steps that are necessary to know for my daily work, I have learned how to communicate and defend my positions and opinions. It is important to be able to assert oneself.

My role involves approving offers that we receive from sales representatives. I negotiate prices with them to ensure the best possible deal for Vodafone, while also ensuring that the pricing is reasonable and acceptable to the customer. While it may sound simple, it can be quite complex, requiring strong analytical skills and a good business sense. 

While I have not yet participated in any specific projects, my main goal is currently to understand all the processes, not only of the pricing department but also of the entire company and the telecommunications industry. I believe that in a short period of time, I have already mastered the tools we work with. 

Moreover, I am now able to work independently without the supervision of colleagues. I am proud that I am already able to cover for my colleagues in their absence and handle their offers. During the summer, I also helped out in another team, Strategic Pricing. This was due to the fact that one of their colleagues left and the other colleagues were unable to approve the incoming offers in time. The work is similar to what we have in operations, but there are some differences, and I am proud to have been able to integrate into the team and be very flexible.

What’s next?

Overall, I now have a better understanding of how a large corporate company works, which is valuable as I have never worked in such a large company before. I also understand how the telecommunications industry works, and I enjoy it, so I definitely plan to continue at Vodafone in the future.  

I most appreciate the flexibility we’re offered here. In the Czech Republic, we are able to work up to 60% of the time from home. As a student, this is a huge advantage as I can perfectly combine my school duties with my work duties. 

Another thing I enjoy are the people and culture. The fact that everyone uses the informal form of address here creates such an informal atmosphere, and you feel equal to everyone. No one elevates themselves solely on the basis of the role they have. In addition, Vodafone’s inclusivity is a huge advantage. There is support for all, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, and the company regularly wins the award for the most LGBTQI+ friendly employer in the country. 

In the near future, I plan to transition to a standard employment contract. There is complete support for career growth at Vodafone, with no constraints. Ideally, I would also like to join the Vodafone Discover program, where I could rotate through other departments and thus broaden my horizons even more. My work so far has been more operational in nature, and it would certainly be interesting to try working in another department to gain a more comprehensive view of the entire company.