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    Meet Oliver from the United States

    My name is Oliver Hahl. I joined the GTP in May 2005 and now work for ABB Marine Services in Fort Lauderdale as the Financial Manager. I began the program in April of 2003 - 3 months after finishing my undergraduate degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.











    Why did I choose the GTP over other graduate programs?
    I was going through the normal course of interviews in the banking environment and one day an email about the Global Trainee Program at ABB popped up in my inbox and after 5 minutes of research I knew this was the job I wanted. I was excited with the opportunity to work in different areas of the business to find out what I really wanted to do. I was interested in the real international experience ABB provided, where I could live, work and truly take in different cultures instead of feeling like I was in a piece of America in another country.

    My working experiences during the program
    The program did not disappoint. I began as an assistant to the controller of a business in Pinetops, NC USA. I was able to analyze the operations and financial reporting that the business used to increase their efficiency. I then moved on to work in Mergers and Acquisitions in the Headquarters in Zurich, CH. It was great to get to know more of the global players in ABB and to live in the most beautiful, clean and organized city in the world! Finally I served as the stand-in controller of one of the automation businesses in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While getting real hands-on experience as a manager in a financial setting, I was able to learn Portuguese and eat lots of carne and feijoada.

    Looking back at the trainee times
    Most of all, this final assignment pushed me to my limits and gave me responsibilities that both gave me more confidence in myself and proved to others that I could work well as a financial manager in ABB. I feel very few organizations would show as much trust in someone so relatively new or provide the tools and support needed to succeed. Through this program, I felt like ABB chose us (trainees) as people they were looking to step into leadership roles in the future.

    Permanent job after the program
    Today, I work for ABB Marine Services in Fort Lauderdale as the Financial Manager. Never in this world would I change my decision to apply for this program. The wonderful experiences in different cultures have been a challenge and therefore allowed me to learn so much more. The Global Trainee Program has prepared me to take on more responsibility than I would have been able to if I had stayed in my comfort zone at home.

    Last edited 2006-12-06
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