one: Anna, how did you find out about the degree programme?

Anna Linden: I was already thinking about further training before I started my apprenticeship as a retail saleswoman at REWE Geisler in Mülheim, initially I thought about the retail specialist programme. But then my boss, REWE salesman Patrick Geisler, drew my attention to the dual study programme in self-employment and recommended it to me.

one: How did those around you react to your decision?

Anna Linden: My parents thought it was good that I was doing it, there were no other negative reactions either, just encouragement.

one: What are you currently doing? What are your tasks at the REWE supermarket?

Anna Linden: During the apprenticeship, you do everything, you go through all areas of the store. In this respect, not much has changed with my studies. However, I now have my own department, Mopro, which I manage independently.

one: How do you like working in the store in general?

Anna Linden: Basically, I like it. We have a good working atmosphere, I get on well with my colleagues and the boss is nice.

one: Do you have something like a mentor who provides you with special guidance and support during your studies?

Anna Linden: On the REWE side, we have a student mentor, Jenny Ciupka, who accompanies me through my studies. I have a feedback meeting with her every semester. You are also assigned a mentor in the first semester. These are students in their third semester. I am now a mentor for REWE students in their first semester. There's also a WhatsApp group where we exchange ideas, and I can always go to my boss for support.

one: What do you actually like more: the theoretical training or the practical experience in the store?

Anna Linden: That's a difficult question. I honestly don't know. The special thing is that you do both. Over the course of the degree programme, the proportion of theory hours in the weekly working hours increases. In return, the practical hours decrease. I think it's good that I can largely decide for myself when I swot up on the material.

one: What is your interim assessment after more than two semesters?

Anna Linden: It was clearly a good decision that I would make again in exactly the same way. I believe that you have good promotion prospects and good career opportunities at REWE.

one: So your expectations of the degree programme have been fulfilled so far?

Anna Linden: Yes, it is largely as I imagined it would be. Some expectations have also been exceeded, for example the university location. The ADG Business School in Montabaur is very nice and well equipped, and we study in small groups.

one: What have been the challenges on your study path so far?

Anna Linden: The biggest challenges are self-organisation and discipline. As we study independently and can organise our workload freely within a certain framework, everyone is responsible for managing their own time. That has to work itself out.

one: What advice would you give to young people who are interested in the dual study programme in self-employment?

Anna Linden: From my experience, I can clearly recommend it and assure them: You are not completely on your own. There is always someone who can help you. You also get to know students from other sectors and can build up a network.

one: Time leap: Anna, where do you see yourself in ten years?

Anna Linden: In ten years, I hope to have my own REWE store.