How does one actually end up working for a company that develops software for global trade? Is it a shared passion for customs, a technical background, or something else that brings us together?
Data protection, data science, Swiss global trade, and an e-commerce startup: At first glance, none of these paths necessarily lead to AEB. Nevertheless, Angelique, Vigneshwar, Nadja, and Stefan have found their way to AEB. Four colleagues, four very different paths to AEB – and four perspectives on how they contribute today.
Angelique learned about AEB through an AI search. After completing her training to become a data protection officer, she was looking for a new professional challenge and came across AEB's job posting in the field of data protection.
Today she is the internal contact person for data protection issues. This role is not just about examining guidelines. She helps colleagues translate legal requirements into our products in a way that ensures they are implemented in a manner that is understandable, practical, and legally compliant.
Early on, it became clear that Angelique wants to contribute in other areas beyond her operational tasks. She openly expressed this wish. This allowed her to find opportunities to get involved in various AI initiatives.
The Jump-in week, our onboarding week for new colleagues, helped her get to know people quickly and get a feel for how collaboration works at AEB. Today, she particularly values the trust and support she receives from her colleagues, as well as the opportunity to actively shape her role.
- Angelique Pfünder, Data Protection and ISMS Expert
Vigneshwar's relationship with AEB began while he was still a student and developed over several years.
While studying computer science in Singapore, Vigneshwar developed a particular interest in data science and machine learning. He was particularly fascinated by the question of how large amounts of data can be transformed into information that people can actually use.
The initial contact was made through a fellow student who already worked at AEB. Vigneshwar completed an internship at AEB in Germany. Three years later, another one followed – this time at the Singapore location. This eventually led to a full-time position in the Data Excellence department.
Today, he works on data products and focuses on how insights into processes and problems can be derived from large amounts of data to help people in their daily work. He benefits not only from his technical background, but especially from interacting with people from various fields.
- Vigneshwar Hariharan, Data Engineer
He also experiences this openness in his day-to-day work. When colleagues with different language backgrounds come together, they naturally switch to English so that everyone can participate in the conversation.
While Vigneshwar first got to know AEB as an intern, Nadja was already familiar with the company from a completely different perspective: as a project partner.
Nadja already had many years of experience in Swiss exports and global trade when initial discussions with her previous project partner AEB opened up a whole new perspective: Why not work directly at AEB?
Through this exchange, a job profile was developed that was a good fit for her experience and interests.
Today, Nadja contributes her expertise in the area of import/export filing. From the very beginning, she had the opportunity to make targeted use of her existing strengths while also developing new skills.
- Nadja Rüegg, Project Manager
Stefan was also familiar with AEB before he started working here – though from the perspective of an entrepreneur. For many years, Stefan was self-employed and a co-founder of an e-commerce startup. Among other things, he and his company had a booth at get connected, AEB's annual industry event focused on customs, logistics, trade compliance, and technology. After his time as a founder, he deliberately took a professional break. This was followed by a change in perspective: from his own company to AEB.
Today, Stefan works as a Product Leader in the Customs area. He helps design software solutions, supports product managers, and creates space for new ideas. Much of what he learned while building his own company, he now applies to product development and his collaboration with colleagues.
He started at AEB in Hamburg, working mostly remotely. In his view, the fact that everything still worked out well was mainly due to his colleagues' willingness to help and their genuine interest.
- Stefan Hollmann, Customs Product Manager
Four paths that could hardly be more different. And yet all four share one experience: At AEB, they didn't have to fit into a predefined role. Instead, they were allowed to settle in, get to know people, share their perspectives, and, over time, figure out where they wanted to make a difference.
Whether through an internship, after many years of professional experience, as a result of an existing collaboration, or after starting their own business: For all four, a first contact turned into more than just a new job. They found colleagues who supported them and a space where they could contribute their strengths in their own way.
Maybe that's exactly what connects their paths: It's not an identical career path that leads to AEB. Rather, it's the opportunity to continue on one's own path here while actively shaping it.
