11,000 kilometres for a successful career change at SYNERGIE

Richard Schaub, who is of German-Argentinean descent, is leaving South America with his family of seven and is seizing the opportunity to make a career change at SYNERGIE – a fresh start for him and his family.

Richard Schaub, you applied to SYNERGIE in the summer of 2021. At the time, you were still living with your family in Córdoba, Argentina. What made you apply for a job that was more than 11,000 kilometres away?

Argentina’s economy has suffered greatly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. My family and I have felt the effects first-hand. The pizzeria where I worked, like all other catering businesses, remained closed for months. There was no government support for staff, unlike here in Germany. We had to live off our savings.

Have the difficult years of the pandemic strengthened your resolve to make a fresh start?

Yes, that’s right. Things simply couldn’t go on like that any longer.

High unemployment and rising inflation in South America

According to the latest UN figures, almost half of Argentina’s population lives below the poverty line. Unemployment and inflation are rising, with young people particularly hard hit; a quarter of young people are searching in vain for a job.

Argentina is not only a poor country, but also a dangerous, crime-ridden one – and currently offers my children few prospects. I didn’t want to subject them to that. I was looking for safety for myself and my family.

Why Germany?

I was born in Germany; I have German and Argentine roots. But I grew up in Córdoba. In the early 1990s, I lived and worked near Stuttgart for a few years with my first wife and our three eldest children. My father lived here in this area.

How does the application process work when applying from Argentina to a job in Germany?

It was quite straightforward; I regularly checked German job portals for a suitable role. That’s when I came across SYNERGIE’s advert, in which they were looking for a production worker. They welcomed candidates from other sectors. I saw this as my chance and applied: after the telephone interview, I received the job offer I’d been hoping for. I was able to start in October 2021 as a production line worker in a medium-sized company. I’m really enjoying it.

Job prospects successfully realised through a career change

You have been living in Bruchsal with your wife and your five children since last autumn.

Despite the great excitement we all felt, the start was very tough. It took a while before we managed to find a suitable flat. We stayed in a hotel for the first few weeks. We received a great deal of support, including from my contacts at SYNERGIE. And thanks to the help of so many people, things are getting easier every day.

Among other things, SYNERGIE has ensured that I can work shifts close to where I live, so that I have more time to organise family life. After all, so far I’m the only one who speaks German fluently.

How is your family getting on in their new home?

Margarita, my wife, works in a hotel; our three older children are in the final stages of their schooling, are learning the language and are starting to make plans for their careers. The two youngest are at a nursery where they feel at home.

At present, job opportunities for Career changers (m/f/d) greater than ever before. Here at SYNERGIE, we help ensure that a career change goes smoothly.