VSH recognition diploma in commerce: Erdan Rastoder's experience - the first step towards developing into a commercial job and considering where the journey will take you

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Erdan Rastoder. I completed a three-year apprenticeship as an automotive specialist. I then gained three years of experience in customer service in the automotive industry.

Which course are you currently attending?

I am currently studying for a VSH recognized commercial diploma. This training in the commercial field should help me to consolidate my customer service activities. My goal is to take on a management role as a service manager or branch manager. I have already completed the first module.

Why did you choose Minerva for your training?

I felt welcome at the Minerva School. I had a good conversation with the principal, in which he gave me a lot of important and positive information about the commercial diploma. I liked the seriousness of the Minerva School. I also liked the way to school and the school hours.

Is your commercial training already helping you in your job today?

I can already apply what I learn in my commercial training with a commercial diploma to my everyday work and private life. In my private life, I've learned a lot about contracts and my rights. For the professional world, I have learned a lot about business management and have already learned a lot about finance.

What do you like best about the VSH trading diploma course?

What I like most about the VSH Commercial Diploma course is the high proportion of knowledge from the field of business administration. I learn everything about what goes on behind the scenes. I learn how best to approach customers, hold conversations with them or correspond with them by e-mail. Unfortunately, I didn't learn these things in my basic technical training.

Did you face any challenges and how did you deal with them?

There were moments during the commercial diploma course that were a little more difficult for me. Especially when things were covered that I didn't know from my apprenticeship. I was very grateful that the lecturers supported me. Everything was always explained well and I was helped quickly if I had any questions.

Can you improve your chances in everyday working life with the VSH commercial diploma?

I am convinced that the VSH commercial diploma will improve my chances in my everyday working life. It will enable me to advance much faster in my career and gain more experience.

Do you think your trading diploma salary will be higher?

I think my commercial diploma salary will be higher because I have learned a lot. I can apply this knowledge in my everyday work.

What would have been the alternative to the commercial diploma further training for you?

If I didn't do my commercial diploma further training, my career opportunities for a management position would be very difficult. One alternative would have been to do further training as a mechatronics technician. However, I always missed the customer contact in my apprenticeship. I'm more interested in the commercial side of things than the purely technical. The path to a commercial job would be much more difficult for me without the VSH commercial diploma.

When do you particularly like the lessons for the commercial diploma?

I particularly enjoy the lessons in the commercial diploma course when the atmosphere is relaxed and the lecturer sometimes makes a joke. In this relaxed atmosphere in the classroom, you are more likely to ask questions and admit that you don't understand something than in an overly serious environment. We have a very good class and almost always a good atmosphere.

Who would you recommend the commercial diploma course to?

I would recommend the commercial diploma course to anyone who wants to switch to a commercial job. The VSH Commercial Diploma paves the way for you to enter a commercial profession. During the course, you can also find out which area appeals to you the most and interests you. For example, you can focus on sales or accounting.

Has the commercial diploma also changed you as a person?

The commercial diploma has actually changed me personally. I was able to learn a lot of new things. A lot of what I learned has also influenced me in my private life. Today, I can establish and maintain contact with people differently.

How difficult was the first module for you?

The first module in the commercial diploma course was easy for me to do. However, you also have to do homework at home. For me, the commercial diploma requires reading up on details in textbooks and reworking the subject matter.

What are the opportunities for further development?

There are many opportunities for further development in the commercial diploma. Depending on the area in which you want to develop further. However, if you want to attend further training afterwards, you need to be able to learn and achieve a little more, as the topics are then dealt with in greater depth over time. I would like to go on to become a technical business administrator and I am well aware of this fact.

What are your exact plans?

I would like to complete the VSH commercial diploma with good to very good results. After that, I would like to attend further training to become a technical businessman. I would also like to further my experience in the professional world. I would like to build up a management position in the professional world in the long term. If you want to develop in the commercial sector but don't yet know which direction to take, I think the VSH commercial diploma is the best way to go. This is the first step. During your training, you can find out what suits you best and what you particularly enjoy doing. I think that's a very good start. I could have done the technical business management course straight away, but I wasn't sure whether it was the right path for me. During the commercial diploma course, however, I gained the certainty that this was the next right step for me. Thanks to the diploma, this can be completed in one year.

How is the topic of further training currently anchored in your environment?

A lot of people around me are currently doing further training. My best colleague is even in the same class as me. He has chosen the same path as me. We both want to do a technical business management qualification after our commercial diplomas. In a few years' time, a management specialist may also be an option. This would certainly help me to deepen my knowledge of the management position. Somewhat older acquaintances and colleagues always give me the advice to continue school and further my education at my young age. I should keep at it. If you've stopped, it's very difficult to get back in. So if you're doing further training, you should start it and ideally complete it all in one go. If you take a break, it becomes increasingly difficult.

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