Today we have an interview with Razieh for you. She comes from Iran and is part of our RAILBASE team.
Please tell us briefly what you do at Sternico.
I work as a software developer and have been a member of the development team for the past six months now. I and the team try to create a user-friendly and robust application called RAILBASE. In this role, I primarily function as a fullstack developer, focusing mainly on frontend tasks while also contributing to backend responsibilities.
What makes working at Sternico special for you? What is different here from other employers?
To be honest, as I share with my friends and family, Sternico holds a special place in my heart. Especially as an immigrant, they gave me a good feeling after I moved from Iran to Germany. I had worried about how challenging it might be to adapt to a new country, but Sternico provided me with a supportive and positive work environment. They guided me through the process of integrating into life in Germany, especially with my language.
When I thought about how I could initiate conversations with my colleagues I had some concerns. Sternico handled the situation very well. Unlike some companies just hire foreign individuals, Sternico employ them and create a better environment for living and working. I’m truly grateful to everyone at Sternico, and I can’t find enough words to express my appreciation.
What are differences between working in Iran and Germany?
The main difference is about the gender. Unfortunately, in Iran, women face challenges in the workplace. For instance, In Iran, it was a struggle for a woman to gain recognition as an expert and some people do not accept a woman could be as proficient as a man in the same role. Additionally, the issue of attire was a significant factor. If I had aspired to work at a university in Iran, they wouldn’t employ me because of my clothing and hijab. In Germany, I don´t have this problem.
Another point about Stenrico is the opportunity it affords me to enhance my skills during work hours. In Iran, I had to allocate my personal free time at home to improve my skills. Now I can dedicate time at work to learn German and stay updated on the latest technologies.
What does diversity mean to you?
For me, diversity is a beautiful mix of people that have different backgrounds, religions, genders and sexual identities working together very well. This means that it creates a good environment where a person feels valued for their unique background and perspective and they work together without worrying. It helps people improve personally.
The advantages of diversity extend significantly to the company as well. In my opinion, when a project involves individuals from diverse cultures, the product becomes more globally oriented rather than limited to a specific locale. Diversity helps people show their ability and talent and expands their horizons.
It’s like a big, colorful puzzle and everybody is like a piece of this puzzle where everyone fits in uniquely. When every piece finds its rightful place, the entire picture becomes more interesting and complete.
What does that mean for you in your work here at Sternico?
In my opinion, diversity is fully implemented at Sternico. There are a lot of people from different countries. We have a lot of different religions and cultures. When I came here I didn´t feel negative feelings and everything was arranged and ready to provide a positive experience.
At the beginning, we didn’t have a command of the German language. Fortunately, our colleagues adapted and switched to English. They try their best of themselves. They create a workplace that helps us to have a relationship and conversation together. They help us to learn German faster.
Another aspect that significantly contributed to my positive experience was the celebration of the Iranian New Year anniversary. Sico and others talked with us about our New Year culture. This effort made me feel like I wasn’t in a completely new country, and I am with people that can be like my family. The diversity at Sternico is evident not only within the HR Team but also among my colleagues and throughout the entire organization and everybody contributes.
When I came to Sternico I was able to focus on my job because everything was prepared and if I had a problem everybody was happy to help me.
Were there ever situations in which you wished for less diversity? If so, please give us an example.
For less diversity? No! Absolutely no. Diversity has been instrumental in my personal growth and self-improvement. It has even influenced aspects of my personality. I often discuss this with my friends, explaining how migration and connecting with new people can change your viewpoints. I never wished for less diversity.
What opportunities do you still see for Sternico in this context?
As an immigrant, I would like to have more events where employees of different ethnicities and religions introduce their culture to us. We had that one with the egg hunt for easter and it was very interesting. I shared it with my family and explained this funny part of your culture to them. I would like to have more such events and we can talk about the different cultures. Since our intention is to establish our lives here, I prefer to get to know the culture as soon as possible.
What advice would you give to others who want to promote diversity and community?
I recommend: Do it! Please just do it. Issues can arise when individuals from different cultures come together, especially in the initial stages. As newcomers from various countries integrate into Sternico, there might be challenges for both the company and the employees in adapting to the new environment. Some of these challenges are related to cultural differences and conflicts. Sternico successfully solved them. This is a common experience for any company that wants to start with diversity. With time, many of these issues can be overcome and witnessing the positive results is a rewarding experience.
