Up for a job swap?
Swapping jobs takes bravery and curiosity, but it also sets your development on fire. Just ask Ubonrat Mueanhcat and Erik Ullerlund Stæhr, who have made temporary job swaps as part of a larger rotation.
“When my manager Erik Lyngsø asked if I was up for a job swap, the idea was a little bit scary at first as I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone. But I haven’t regretted I said yes for a second,” says Ubonrat.
Originally a Quality Engineer in the Quality Test Center (QTC), she’s now more than halfway through her eight-month spell as Element Coach in Element Design Systems.
“Working as an Element Coach has given me a broader understanding of the whole process of creating new elements, and I’m positive this experience will help me make better decisions when I get back to my regular job in QTC", points out Ubonrat.
Saving time and resources
For Erik, Senior Material Testing Technician, swapping jobs was a welcome opportunity to get new inspiration.
“I’ve been working in Materials for almost 30 years, and I had asked my manager Morten Backmann if I could try something different to get new inspiration. It was actually part of my IDP (Individual Development Plan) and I jumped on the chance straight away. Not because I’m tired of my job but to try something different,” Erik explains.
Five months into the job swap, Erik has, like Ubonrat, already identified learnings he can take with him when he returns to his old job:
“In our department, we don’t test as much as they do in QTC, where they test moulded elements. But maybe if we test a little more, we can scrap some of the materials before we start to mould saving both time and resources for QTC and the company.”
I feel braver now
The job swap idea came from Morten Backmann, Senior Manager in Materials and Erik Lyngsø, Senior Manager in QTC. They see job swap as a win-win-win.
Erik (Lyngsø) explains: “Employees develop new competencies and a better end-to-end understanding. We get motivated and energised employees, and the company also benefits from more knowledge sharing and the breaking down of siloes. I urge more people leaders and employees to explore this possibility. So far, we’ve only seen positives, and several employees have already asked if they could try something similar.”
In a couple of months, it’s time for Ubonrat and Erik to go back to their old jobs. They’ve both learned a lot of new things both about themselves and work.
“I definitely feel braver now, and I’m less afraid to try something new,” says Ubonrat with Erik adding: “I would never have had the chance to learn so much in such a short time if it wasn’t for this opportunity.”