Max in the USA

 I am Max Letterhaus, currently in the second year of my apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at JOEST. In October 2024, I had the unique opportunity to complete an internship abroad at JOEST USA in Illinois. This experience was not only an exciting professional challenge but also a valuable chance to gain numerous operational and cultural insights. It was my first time in the United States, and during this period, I learned a lot about the operations of an international company as well as American culture.

With great excitement, I boarded a plane in Duesseldorf on the first of October, which, after a brief stopover in Amsterdam, would take me to Chicago O'Hare Airport. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Mr. Bühler, Sales Manager at JOEST USA, who had been incredibly helpful in planning the trip and my stay. After recovering from my flight, Mr. Bühler introduced me to the entire team at the office the next morning. I immediately felt at home and was warmly welcomed by everyone.

My daily work involved rotating through all departments to gain a comprehensive overview. Everyone was eager to show me their responsibilities within this team, which, compared to JOEST Germany in Dülmen, is much smaller but just as harmonious. I noticed several parallels to the work in Germany, but there were also some differences, such as the use of checks for payment processing. A particular highlight was accompanying Ryan Lumpp, Sales Engineer at JOEST USA, on a customer visit to Caterpillar in Mapleton. It was a unique opportunity to visit such a major industrial client of JOEST on-site and gain deep insights into the production processes and the collaboration between our company and the client. The visit not only showcased the technical complexity of the projects but also underscored the importance of strong and trustworthy customer relationships in international business. It was an exciting and educational experience that I will remember for a long time.

During my weekends in Chicago, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in American culture. I visited various landmarks such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute, and Navy Pier, which gave me great insights into the city's history and cultural life. I was particularly impressed by the diversity of people and the blend of different cultures reflected in the architecture, restaurants, and neighborhoods. These experiences helped me better understand the American way of life and further develop my intercultural skills.

In conclusion, I can say that it was a highly interesting experience, and I learned a great deal about the connection between JOEST in Buldern and JOEST USA. Through close collaboration within the international team, I was able to not only expand my technical knowledge but also gain valuable experience in dealing with customers from different countries. Communicating with colleagues in the USA was a new experience that helped me improve my English skills and learn much about the American work culture.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire JOEST USA team for the wonderful time and the valuable experiences. The collaboration was incredibly enriching, and I felt welcome from day one. Special thanks go to Mr. Bühler, who took such great care of me throughout my internship. Thanks to his support, I was able to grow both professionally and personally and have this unforgettable experience in the USA. Thank you for everything!

Max Letterhaus