Insights to the Finance Graduate Program
My name is Asad. I am from Pakistan, where I grew up and had my early education. I moved to Germany in 2019 for my master’s degree in Finance and Management. After my studies, I joined Continental as a Group Finance Graduate in September 2022.
Why did you apply for the Group Finance Graduate Program?
As an international student in Germany, I was excited about the opportunity to work for a global company like Continental, which has a strong presence in the automotive industry. The Finance Graduate Program offered the perfect platform for me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the finance organization at Continental, as well as to develop my professional skills and knowledge. I was particularly attracted to the program's focus on on-the-job training and the chance to work on real-life projects and ongoing tasks in different locations and functional areas. Overall, I saw the Finance Graduate Program as a unique opportunity to launch my career in finance and make a meaningful contribution to a leading global organization.
What are your current tasks / position?
As a Finance Graduate, I started my journey with Continental Business Consulting, where I gained valuable experience in project management and got the opportunity to work with different business segments across the company. I am now in my second rotation as part of the ContiTech Central Controlling team, where I am responsible for creating financial reporting mechanism related to commercial excellence for different Business Areas of ContiTech. I am also involved in projects related to financial performance, process improvement, and other special initiatives. Additionally, I will also assist the team with monthly financial closings, variance analysis, and budget planning.
In both roles, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from different countries and backgrounds and learn about different areas of the company.
What was your highlight of the program?
The highlight of the program for me so far has been my participation in the Continental Business Consulting Convention 2022 in Rome. The convention aimed to celebrate the successes of the Continental Business Consulting team and to strengthen the feeling of being one team. This event was an opportunity for more than a hundred consultants and colleagues from all around the world to come together in person after more than two years of remote work. The convention was a great opportunity for networking and strengthening the sense of togetherness within the Continental Business Consulting team. Additionally, I am also eagerly looking forward to my upcoming international assignment later this year, which I am sure will be another highlight of the program.
What can a future graduate expect?
As a future graduate, you can expect an exciting and dynamic opportunity to kickstart your career in finance along with a lot of fun. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of different domains of finance in different locations and functional areas of Continental. This will enable you to contribute to current finance tasks and projects while building relationships across every line of business. Moreover, the program will also offer enough flexibility in choosing assignments that match your educational background, individual preferences, and business needs.
