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At 19 years old, Marlon Weber has worked across three departments and contributed to an international project, all while studying for his Business Administration degree.
He has chosen to combine his studies at FOM University in Germany with practical experience at BCD, part of CTB Group. Through the dual study programme, he’s gaining an understanding of how different business areas operate, developing new skills and discovering where his interests lie.
We spoke to Marlon about the challenges and opportunities of his first year on the job, the colleagues who have supported him and how his experiences are helping to shape his future career ambitions.
The best of both worlds
When Marlon decided to study Business Administration, he was keen to gain practical experience alongside his university education. Having grown up hearing about CTB Group through his father's career with the business, he was already familiar with the company and interested in learning more about its operations.
“I wanted to have both experiences – learning at university and learning in the workplace at the same time. I liked the idea of putting what I was studying into practice straight away, rather than waiting until I’d finished my degree to start gaining real experience.”
Marlon keeps himself busy, currently working Monday to Thursday at CTB, with Fridays typically dedicated to online university sessions and Saturdays spent on campus.
His Bachelor's degree spans seven semesters, and he plans to remain at CTB throughout, before going on to pursue a Master's degree.
Seeing the bigger picture
Since joining the team, Marlon has had the opportunity to work across several departments, gaining insight into different aspects of CTB's operations.
He began in sales, where he became familiar with CTB's systems and processes. After around three months, he was given the choice of moving into finance or purchasing. He opted for financial accounting, as it aligned with what he was studying at university at the time. More recently, he's moved into purchasing, adding another area to his growing experience.
One of the biggest surprises for Marlon has been discovering the complexities behind seemingly straightforward business processes. In sales, for example, he realised that every customer order comes with its own circumstances and considerations, requiring an individual approach to achieve the best outcome.
Taking on new challenges
One highlight of Marlon's first year at CTB was his involvement in a project with BASCO, the Belgian arm of CTB Group, to introduce changes to its invoice-control system. Working alongside Financial Controller Christian Loppinet, he helped adapt the system and its processes, including integrating it with the company's ERP system.
“I’d never worked with financial controlling before, so it was a completely new area for me. It was a great challenge to see what I could achieve independently, and I’d say it’s been my biggest opportunity so far.”
Marlon's current role in purchasing has brought fresh challenges, too. Following changes within the team, he's had to get up to speed quickly in an unfamiliar area, building on the skills and confidence he's developed during his first year.
Learning from colleagues across the Group
Marlon's mentor, Anja Struchholz, has played an important role in helping him find his feet at CTB. Drawing on her years of experience with the Group, Anja is available to answer questions and offer advice, while encouraging him to think for himself and build his confidence.
Marlon has found this willingness to share knowledge and support one another throughout the wider business.
“Every colleague I've worked with has been willing to help me improve, overcome obstacles and make progress with my projects. I've also had the chance to work with people in Belgium and France, and everyone has been really welcoming and supportive.”
Interested in building your career at CTB Group? Explore our current opportunities and find out how you could become part of the team.
