I am a Civil Engineer with a Master’s from the FH Münster and five years of experience in German public administration managing road construction. Seeking to transition into the private sector and learn how to manage a civil works construction company, I joined the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) programme after discovering it through professional networking.
My Host Entrepreneur is a Mining Engineer with an extensive career in civil construction. By collaborating with him in Spain, my expected benefits are to understand the operational, financial, and regulatory nuances of running a private construction firm, while building a cross-border network to support my future entrepreneurial ventures.
During my EYE stay, I have been actively involved in the core daily operations of my host’s civil works construction company. My primary activities include directly supervising on-site construction works to ensure quality and compliance, and preparing technical and financial proposals for public tenders targeting Spanish city councils, regional administrations, and private clients. Additionally, I am responsible for procurement logistics, which involves requesting and negotiating material prices with local suppliers and coordinating sub-contracts with other construction companies.
My relationship with my Host Entrepreneur is highly collaborative and mentorship-driven. Because of his extensive background in civil construction, he regularly guides me through the strategic nuances of the Spanish private sector. We work closely on tender strategies and project management, allowing me to directly compare Spanish private operations with my previous experience in German public administration.
My EYE placement has provided significant professional growth, bridging my public administration background with the Spanish private sector. Working alongside my host, I have deeply developed my skills in private project management, procurement negotiation, and the strategic preparation of public tenders under Spanish regulations. I have also gained practical experience managing on-site construction workflows under different market conditions.
In terms of networking, I have built valuable contacts with local suppliers, subcontractors, and public sector representatives in Spain. Looking ahead, this exchange has laid a strong foundation for future cross-border cooperation.
This EYE placement perfectly bridged my German public sector experience with the Spanish private construction market. Learning tender strategies and site management directly from my host gave me the exact entrepreneurial insights and cross-border network I need to launch my own venture.