Sinan Kepezkaya introduces himself

Combine theory and practice

My name is Sinan Kepezkaya and I study mechanical engineering with simultaneous training as an industrial mechanic (StudiumPLUS). After much thought, I decided on StudiumPLUS because of the large amount of practical experience provided by the simultaneous training. The two degrees that you obtain during the course are another reason for my decision.

I found out about SEW-EURODRIVE at the “Jobs for future” job fair. I had never heard of SEW-EURODRIVE before then. A former Cooperative State University student introduced me to the company and showed me the products. Two things attracted me to SEW-EURODRIVE as a future employer: firstly, the company's gear units, as I already knew that I wanted to work in the field of power transmission/power conversion, and secondly I think it's great that SEW-EURODRIVE offers students so much during the course and invests a lot in their development. The Cooperative State University student was really enthusiastic about SEW-EURODRIVE.

During my first practical phase my working day always started at 7 a.m. in the training workshop in Graben-Neudorf. Every working day is different and you always receive different tasks. At the start I was at the workbench with the other StudiumPLUS- and Cooperative State University students where we learned basic metalworking skills. We were gradually instructed in how to operate the machines and were given the opportunity to machine workpieces. You were able to decide how to complete the tasks for yourself, which I particularly enjoyed. After about two months we started receiving training in how to use the larger machine tools, such as the milling machine and lathe.

During the time in the training workshop I also had the opportunity to work on a large project. My task was to design and the construct an air motor. A range of tasks had to be completed from the initial design through to the assembly of the motor, which you had to tackle independently. There were times where I spent the whole day at the lathe to produce parts for the motor, and other days where I prepared CAD drawings for the motor or had to improve existing drawings because unexpected design problems popped up.

The alternation between theory and practice means that it's never boring. The diversity of departments to which you are assigned allow a student to quickly identify the direction that they want to take after completing the course (such as production, development or sales).

In addition to my course, SEW-EURODRIVE also provides the opportunity to complete a semester abroad in another plant as well as to work in a German technical office in Sales for a number of weeks. There are also seminars to help improve both my technical competence as well as my soft skills.