My HM story: Dr. Robert Graner, Quality Development and Digitalisation (QED)
Dr. Robert Graner hadn’t even been appointed yet when he knocked on the door of HM’s IT manager on a hunch. “He spent an hour and a half telling me all about it over an espresso,” laughs Graner. “That’s a great sign of character and speaks volumes about the organisation’s humanity.” Today, Robert Graner works as part of the “Quality Development and Digitalisation (QED)” unit, optimising processes across the entire university.
Important links
A sense of excitement and new beginnings, just like in a start-up
Robert Graner completed his vocational training, went to university, worked as a project manager, wrote his dissertation – and continued his search. “I tried a lot of different things, but I didn’t really want to go into the private sector, nor did I really want to go into research.” It was at precisely that moment that Robert Graner came across the job advert for HM – and here the cliché proved spot on – for Robert Graner, Germany’s leading university of applied sciences combined the best of both worlds.
As part of the QED team, Robert Graner works alongside his colleagues to optimise administrative processes, experiencing a spirit of optimism and a willingness to embrace change – and seeing the most exciting side of working in a public authority (which is what the HM is, as a state university): “Here, public service is seen as a service to students and society. People do their very best to ensure that everything runs smoothly.”
Onboarding: warm and energetic
The positive impression Robert Graner had formed even before he was hired was reinforced once he started. “My onboarding was very good and carefully managed. I received a warm welcome at every level. On my first day, I found an email in my inbox containing a summary, a glossary, a list of contacts and a link to the onboarding section on the intranet. I felt as though I was walking into open doors everywhere; everywhere I went, I heard: ‘It’s great to have you here!’ It was such a smooth start: I was able to put my energy to good use straight away.”
Going a long way together
In his role, Robert Graner brings together IT, administration and teaching. He values the sense of collaboration and the willingness to think outside the box: “Colleagues are very helpful towards one another; there are no barriers. Of course, everyone focuses on their own department first. But they provide input, ideas and generous feedback so that we can move forward together.”
The HM actively encourages dialogue and a vibrant sense of community. Robert Graner still has fond memories of the campus tour: all new staff members can take the bus tour to get to know the departments at the HM’s three campuses. “Or the summer party, where teams get to know one another across subject areas and campuses,” adds Robert Graner. “The HM is just the right size for this, too.”
Transparency and appreciation
Time and again, says Graner, he encounters the attitude: “We belong together. No matter what level you’re at in the organisation: everyone’s needs and requirements are important, and everyone wants to find a good compromise.” He encounters this commitment at all levels: “Good leadership involves transparency and appreciation. Here, for example, I see how the Chancellor speaks at staff meetings and genuinely takes on board criticism.”
“I can make a difference here, working together, with plenty of freedom and opportunities for development, and with a sense of purpose and shared values. I can see myself doing this for decades to come.”
Sustainable, socially responsible, environmentally friendly
Robert Graner values not only the staff members he works with at HM, but also the wide range of opportunities on offer. He enjoys his freedom and the chance to make a difference and to keep developing himself. He sees his future at HM.
Robert Graner also has solid, substantive reasons for this – such as the practical relevance: “HM is more closely connected to society than the ‘universities of excellence’. The HM doesn’t just want to develop the next unicorn; it focuses on sustainability, social and environmental aspects. For example, with start-ups such as curevision (a new standard for three-dimensional wound documentation) and Krameda (a platform that connects relatives of people in need of care with individuals who can support them and take some of the strain off their shoulders).”
Discover the opportunities available to you at HM!
Discover your dream job, connect with HM, and stay up to date: you’ve come to the right place.