At the time of our interview, exactly 23 years had passed since she successfully interviewed for the position of SAP Consultant for Planning and Production immediately after submitting her diploma thesis. Since then, she has been working in a male-dominated field – but this has never bothered her. Not even when a male colleague in a project in Lithuania was surprised and asked why she, as a woman, was advising on planning and production. Sabine's answer: "Why not?"
After her time as Head of Consulting, Sabine is now a Partner. She is convinced that she took on this role for a reason – her colleagues obviously wanted her out of the projects. Why? Quite simply: Whenever Sabine was present at a go-live in winter, temperatures dropped to record lows, and there was plenty of snow.
What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
"In my career, I have faced many challenges, too many to list here. But I still remember some fondly: for example, my first project abroad, in Lund, Sweden. In this project, I was responsible for the planning processes, had to communicate in another language, and most importantly, had to convince people with 20 years more experience in their field than I had about the processes in SAP. I learned a lot back then and laid the foundation for my further career in consulting."
How do you manage to balance your professional and personal commitments?
"I work in a company that offers me a lot of freedom. Among other things, I can organize my time freely and thus take care of many private matters. But I can't compare myself to other women who find time for their children, manage the household, and still pursue their careers. I admire these women very much!"
What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
"Go your own way and stay true to yourself. Everything is possible!"