by Interview with Franka Weinzierl, Intern Learning & Development
Peers: Why are you excited about your job?
Franka: I have a completely different background – I study clinical psychology. Lately, I thought that I would enjoy contrasting experience. That was the reason why I applied at Peers and I am happy about it. Here I can learn not only about the product itself, but also have a look into Marketing, Sales, Tech and get a very practical understanding of the business. This new and different experience excites me a lot. I get a chance to learn a lot and I feel like an important part of the team.
Peers: What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
Franka: I would highlight two of them. The first one I got from my brother. He told me that it is important to know that you are capable of doing everything. Great achievers are also normal people, who worked hard and had a greater goal. If you want to change the world, you should have a vision and learn a way of getting there.
And the second one was from my psychotherapy class – “if you are not home and lights are not on, who is coming to knock?” I find it very beautiful and inspiring.
Peers: If you could meet any living person for dinner, who would you pick and why?
Franka: Lately, I have a huge crush on Alexandra Ocasio Cortez – her background was not optimal for politics, but she achieved a lot without losing her true self. I think she would be really fun to spend an evening with, discussing how to be authentic and also, get cool things done.
Peers: If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Franka: One year ago, my answer would have been completely different. But now I would say, I want to become an expert in learning, it is also a skill to develop. I think it is brave to acknowledge what knowledge you are lacking and work on it.
Peers: Which fictional character do you relate to?
Franka: Eleonore von Aquitanien, the Duchess from the book The Lion of Aquitanien. She was forced to marry a guy, but she did not give up and made her own thing about it. She was a real feminist, took something that happened to her, and rose out of it. She was a strong, clever, a real woman, or how I perceive cool women.
Peers: What is your go-to productivity trick?
I have the same morning routine: I wake up, listen to the news, put on energetic music, drink coffee, clean myself up. I sit down for half an hour before the work starts and gather my stuff, plan my work, what needs to be done and what are my priorities. At the Home office, everything morphs as one in your room and for productive working, I need to organize my work and my day.