Secondment as a booster for your career

What excites you about your job at KPMG Law?
After studying law in Munich, I was looking for an employer that not only offered me professional challenges, but also enabled me to achieve a work-life balance, for example through various working time models. I found this flexibility at KPMG Law. My professional focus is on advising on complex national and international reorganizations and M&A transactions as well as providing day-to-day corporate law advice to companies and their executive bodies. This is a very diverse field of work with ever new challenges. This variety inspires me again and again.

Inspiration and further development seem to be important to you. How does KPMG Law help you as an employer?
KPMG Law supports further development with many offers. These include secondments to gain professional experience abroad. A secondment is basically a temporary assignment for another KPMG office abroad, which can last from three months to two years. Uganda particularly appealed to me. On the one hand, I have always found Africa as a continent and Uganda as a country very exciting. On the other hand, I also wanted to make a small personal contribution to sustainable development in the country of my secondment. Uganda is struggling with a number of political challenges. In my view, there is still a need for development in many processes – both economic and social. I wanted to make a concrete contribution here. KPMG Law gave me excellent support during the application process. After being nominated by my superiors, I applied in writing and conducted several interviews, during which I had the opportunity to get to know my future colleagues in Uganda.

What did your everyday life in Uganda look like and which projects inspired you?
My everyday life was certainly not ordinary for me: new structures and processes, many new, exciting and varied tasks as well as valuable new relationships. I was particularly fascinated by a project to strengthen the economic infrastructure. We developed a legal framework for the expansion of public supply networks in order to improve the quality of life in rural regions. This assignment was both challenging and valuable for me because I felt that our work had a positive impact on the population. It gave me the feeling that I could at least give something back to this great country.

And what did you do in your free time?
After work, I spent a lot of time with my colleagues, but also with other new friends. We went out to eat together and tried local specialties such as matooke. We also attended various sporting events, went hiking together or just had a drink together. We often went away together at the weekend, including to various national parks. One trip took us into the middle of the rainforest – where I suddenly found myself face to face with a large family of gorillas, including a silverback and baby gorillas. Moments like this will stay with me for the rest of my life. The shared experiences and the warm welcome from my colleagues created a family atmosphere and made it easy for me to fit in with the team.

How has the secondment helped you professionally and personally?
I expanded my international network and gained valuable experience, both professionally and personally. I was involved in many different projects in a culturally new environment. At KPMG Law, I now approach complex projects with a broader perspective. I was also able to gain insights into the local customs and culture of Uganda and broaden my personal horizons. In Uganda, I adapted to a new culture and learned how to deal with different mentalities and ways of working. This has made me more self-confident, flexible and resilient. These are all qualities that I believe will help me to progress both professionally and personally. Even after my return to Germany, I am in regular contact with my Ugandan colleagues and the new friendships I have made.

What tips would you give colleagues or applicants who are considering a secondment?
Looking back, the secondment was one of the most valuable experiences of my career to date, for which I am very grateful to Uganda and the local people. I would advise everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. My personal tip: leave your familiar surroundings and explore a country that is new to you. If you are unsure, bravely decide to go on an adventure. It will help you enormously both personally and professionally. If you are thinking about a career at KPMG Law, you will find an employer that offers a wide range of opportunities as well as challenging and varied work.