Between the lecture hall, the workplace, and family life
Why don’t you introduce yourself briefly: Who are you, and what are you currently doing at Rödl?
My name is Swer, and I work as a student employee in the VAT consulting department in Nuremberg as part of Dr. Daniela Endres-Reich’s team. At the same time, I’m a master’s student in the Finance, Accounting, Controlling, and Taxation (FACT) program at Nuremberg Tech and am currently writing my thesis.
How did you first hear about Rödl, and what was your journey like from “Your Tax Experience” to your current role as a working student?
I first heard about Rödl from one of my professors. When I became a mother during my master’s program, we talked about how to balance starting a career with raising a family. Shortly afterward, she put me in touch with Dr. Daniela Endres-Reich, who sparked my interest in tax consulting during our initial meeting.
Since I had studied International Business as an undergraduate, tax consulting hadn’t been an obvious career path for me up to that point. During my master’s program, I therefore wanted to first find out whether the technical depth and structured approach of a tax consultant suited me. After a year of intensively engaging with tax-related topics, I applied for “Your Tax Experience.”
The program gave me the opportunity to gain experience, even on a part-time basis, in two specialized areas within Rödl’s tax consulting practice: tax structuring/international tax law and value-added tax. In both teams, I was quickly integrated into the practical work and was able to take on a broad range of tasks despite the short duration of my assignments. I then decided to continue my path as a working student in the VAT department because it aligns particularly well with my coursework.
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What motivated you to participate in “Your Tax Experience,” and what experiences from that time stand out most in your memory?
Above all, I was motivated by the desire to make an informed career decision. Theory alone isn’t enough for that, you have to experience what the work and collaboration are actually like on a day-to-day basis. Looking back after my two placements, I thought: If only I’d known about this opportunity sooner. After all, you can participate in “Your Tax Experience” as early as your bachelor’s program, and in a very flexible way. What I remember most is the interaction within the team and with other working students. Through these conversations, I gained new perspectives and motivation for my own career path.
What do you particularly enjoy about your work as a working student, and which tasks do you like best?
I like that I’m involved in a wide range of tasks. I particularly enjoy assisting with specific VAT matters, researching case law and administrative interpretations, and contributing to legal opinions. This allows me to delve deeply into a topic and help develop a sound solution based on the various sources. This is exactly the direction I’d like to grow in over the long term: to become a go-to person who is sought out for advice because of my professional expertise.
How do you manage to balance your studies, career, and personal life?
Since becoming a mother, I’ve found that balancing everything works best for me through good planning, clear priorities, and managing expectations. I plan well in advance, allocate my time carefully, and address early on what’s realistically achievable. At the same time, I’ve learned that with a child, not every plan works out. That makes it all the more important for me to have an understanding manager, flexible working conditions and policies at Rödl, and a degree program that I can adapt to my current capacity. And crucially: actively seek support, because you don’t have to manage work-life balance on your own.
I particularly appreciate the openness and flexibility with which Rödl adapts to different life situations.
Working Student Sales Tax Law
How have you been able to grow professionally and personally since joining Rödl?
Professionally, I’m learning above all how to apply the knowledge I gained in college to specific situations: conducting thorough research, evaluating sources, and presenting findings in a clear and understandable way. By working alongside experienced colleagues, I’m also gaining a realistic picture of day-to-day life in tax consulting. This brings the theory from lectures and textbooks to life. On a personal level, I’m becoming more and more confident in asking questions and sharing my thoughts. My journey at Rödl has only just begun, and I look forward to continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
What do you particularly appreciate about Rödl as an employer, and what kind of support have you received along the way?
I particularly appreciate the openness and flexibility with which Rödl accommodates different life situations. The fact that I was able to complete “Your Tax Experience” on a part-time basis and then join the company as a working student was crucial for me as a mother and master’s student. I’ve encountered managers who listen and seek pragmatic solutions. I really enjoy working at the Nuremberg headquarters and always look forward to the on-site interactions.
What advice would you give to others who are considering a part-time arrangement or joining through “Your Tax Experience”?
It’s a good idea to get informed early on and have an open conversation about what you need and what you can reliably contribute. A part-time arrangement works especially well when expectations are clear and aligned on both sides, and you stay in communication.
Thank you, Swer, for the nice interview! We wish you continued success!
