Janine Kern

Competitor in Skill: Graphic Design Technology
Country: Germany

How did you get interested in your skill?
Since I was fifteen, I like it to draw and take photos of everything I see. With sixteen I did
an education for a media assistant for two years in Freital (near Dresden). After that I
started the apprenticeship as a digital media designer. And this was the final thing
which got me interested in my skill: Graphic Design Technology.

Where did you do your training for your skill?
I do my training in Leipzig at Mediengestaltung Wiese. My expert is my boss. So I think it
is a lot harder to train and work, because he is looking at everything I do. But that’s the
way how I learn to handle the pressure of time, have everything on a string and getting
faster with every day.

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
One day my boss was talking to me and asked me, what I would say, if I have the
possibility to travel to Brazil. I was very excited about it and said that it will be great.
Then he told me about WorldSkills. First I thought he is joking, because I was the person
who should take part in this event. But then I realized, that was not a joke. Finally I said
“I agree.”. That was the beginning of my new exciting period of life.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
On the one hand my family and on the other hand my company. Everything I done, do or
will do, I can be sure, that my family support me. They give me the power which I really
need now. The company show me many things in this skill. They illustrate to me that
WorldSkills is the beginning of something big and they work very hard with me for
getting the victory. We all don’t know how far the way, for getting the success, is. But I
know that WorldSkills is the beginning of a great start for a good career.

What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
It is absolutely great! Everyone is motivated to win the competition. We exchanged
information about our skills, what tasks we must manage and things about our private
life. It’s very important to talk with other members, because they are your family for two
weeks in Brazil.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
The most memorable moment was the first meeting with all competitors, experts and
teamleader. I felt like a family member. It isn’t important what your skill is. If you have a
problem you can ask everyone and you can be sure, that every single person will help
you. This was the gist of the first meeting. An important message, because you can put
your mind at rest.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
For this question I have only a few words to say: a fever of excitement, cross approval
and confidence, to be proud of the own performance.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress
in your skill? Please describe.
Yes of course. With every competition and in every hour of training you learn more
about workflows, timing, speediness and concentration. The condition for all of that is,
that you really want it. You must know, that you do it for your own, not for the boss, not
for your parents and not for anyone. Only for you.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
Currently I do an apprenticeship as a digital media designer for digital and printmedia
with the focus at sign making. I am at the first year of apprenticeship. I do it in Leipzig
at “Mediengestaltung Wiese”.

What are your future career aspirations?
I want to be a good digital media designer. Maybe I can assemble my own successful
advertising agency and pass my experiences on to young motivated boys and girls.