Why did you decide to work part-time?
Sebastian: Working part-time offers me an ideal combination of my different professional roles and interests. My employment level at Netze BW is 50 percent, and I allocate the remaining working time to my projects as needed. Whether it’s preparing a concert or an ongoing production, practicing instruments and singing, or a sewing project. Additionally, there is enough time left for sports.
What advantages does part-time work offer you?
Sebastian:I enjoy my work as an electrical engineer and, at my previous employer on the contractor side, I was a project manager for substation projects for EnBW. At 40 hours per week or more, there was not much time left for other ambitions. Part-time work was not possible, so I decided to pursue music full-time. Those six years were a great experience, but financial stability was lacking. Through part-time work, I can now not only cover ongoing costs reliably but also invest in my other interests and learn new things – whether it’s piano lessons, astrophotography, or my now well-equipped sewing studio.
How do you organize your work?
Sebastian: I communicate my availability internally and in the project teams in the mornings. Due to my absence in the afternoons, I work more proactively and invest time in approaching project participants. In my calendar, I always leave spaces besides meeting appointments for topics that arise during the day. Thanks to a good relationship with project participants, such as the general contractors, unforeseen additional costs on the construction site (e.g., encountering large rocks or old cables in the ground in the afternoon) are handled without interrupting construction and are later processed with claim management. Organizationally, all other events on-site are generally covered by our great construction coordinators, specialist colleagues, and the site managers of the general contractors. Additionally, my team leader always supports me at short notice with technical or strategic questions.
How do you create a work-life balance for yourself?
Sebastian: I have set fixed working hours and am available on workdays from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. In the afternoons, I turn off my work phone. Planned absences are communicated in advance, and I check whether I can still provide support for the project participants. For longer absences, we cover for each other in the team informally. Through site visits with long travel times, special events on-site, or other company appointments, the hours quickly add up. I try to balance this promptly so that the balance is maintained.
What kind of support do you receive from EnBW?
Sebastian: I usually don’t miss an opportunity to praise EnBW or Netze BW as an employer with a positive work environment. On the one hand, because it was made possible for me to work part-time in project management at the suggestion of my then team leader (I am no longer the only one now). On the other hand, I can manage my projects flexibly and independently and organize my work. I regularly use mobile work when visiting friends, traveling privately, or attending regional appointments. Otherwise, I receive the same support as all employees, for example for further training, discounted home office equipment, or access to our great cafeteria.
Are you curious and want to learn more about Sebastian as a singer and songwriter? Then check out his new animation clip for „Was hätten wir zu verlieren gehabt?“ Enjoy!