From Aquarium Saleswoman to Production Worker and now a Work Planner at Emoss. Denise Borburgh has made a surprising career switch that has already given her four years of satisfaction. Where she used to care for fish, she now works on the wiring harnesses for electric vehicles.
An unexpected path to production
Denise began her career in an aquarium shop, where she worked happily for eight years. But when that job ended, she spent a few years repairing and testing iPhones at Schenker, and then briefly worked at a peanut butter factory. “The shifts and repetitive work there really weren't for me,” Denise explains. Through a connection of her mother, she heard about a vacancy at Emoss, and she decided to take the leap.
Feeling at home right away at Emoss
"Without much preparation, I was given a tour at Emoss right away. I had little technical background and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle it, but the production manager reassured me," Denise recalls. Despite her lack of experience with wiring harnesses, she received internal training and was given the space to make mistakes. "Here, you learn step by step, and the work evolves with your skill level."
Challenges and growth
The learning process at Emoss was gradual. Denise says, "You need to think logically and make connections, but you don’t need any specific prior knowledge. It's a bit more complicated than reading an Ikea manual, but if you can handle that, you already have the necessary skills. It mostly comes down to your mindset!" Denise especially appreciates the variety in her work. "I work everywhere and anywhere, can manage my own time, and visit different departments. That makes the job enjoyable."
Proud of visible results
Denise is especially proud of her contribution to the prototypes and test vehicles. "It’s amazing to see something you’ve worked on actually functioning. You’re involved in the whole process and see the results of your work," Denise says.
A relaxed work environment
Denise describes the culture at Emoss as relaxed. "There’s plenty of room for fun, as long as the work gets done. I really feel welcome and supported by my colleagues," she says. This helped her quickly feel at home and develop further in her role.
Advice for future employees
Denise encourages others to consider taking the step into production. "Just do it! If it’s not for you, you can always quit. You won’t know if it’s for you unless you try," she says enthusiastically. She emphasizes that working in production isn't as simple as it sometimes sounds: "You really need to think and puzzle things out, it’s a complex process at times."
Peace and fulfillment
The transition to a production career has brought Denise more peace and fulfillment. "I’m in a good place, have a better salary, and a lot of vacation days. That makes a big difference," she explains. Although she doesn’t have specific ambitions, she wants to ensure that all manuals are present and that the wiring harness production process is clarified and optimized.
At Emoss, Denise is building the vehicles of tomorrow with a down-to-earth and pragmatic approach. She demonstrates that a career switch, no matter how unexpected, can lead to new opportunities and personal growth.
