How future-proof is your job? Did you ask yourself this question when you chose your profession back then? In the age of digitization, it's not just a concern for young adults, but also for many employees who may see drastic changes in their roles over the years.
Sascha Jäger, our interviewee of the month, was also a young
the same thoughts. He wanted to learn a profession that is always needed.
Thus, he graduated in electrical engineering and continues as director of the
Kraftwerk Birsfelden AG is also addressing key issues for the future today.
The Birsfelden power plant generates around 17% of the total electricity consumed by the
Greater Basel region produced. This is roughly equivalent to the consumption of 150,000
households. The increased environmental and climate awareness of the population has
Fortunately, this has led to a reduction in electricity consumption in Switzerland in recent years.
years is declining. When you consider that electricity consumption in this country has been
has more than doubled since 1970, it was high time to act - for the future
of our planet.
Security is a basic human need and a steady job with
Future prospects is an important part of this. Technological infrastructures
must always be further developed and maintained. But even professions with the
The best forecasts for the future do not make people happy on their own. So that work brings joy
and becomes a fulfillment, it must be tailored to the personal interests and skills
correspond
According to projections, half of the students will work in occupations that are
do not even exist today. What can we conclude from this? In order to enter with confidence into
future, we should always be open to new things, acquire specialized knowledge and new
Acquire skills and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to us. As
pragmatic solution finder, this corresponds to Sascha Jäger's philosophy.
Find out more about Sascha Jäger in the interview, his professional and private
Interests and key lessons learned along his career path to date.
Mr. Jäger, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"It could have been a lot of things. But I always saw myself in a
Leadership function. That started with the youth work in the village, where I
I grew up. Be it as a group leader or later as a camp leader. In military service
it has continued and still today I perform my service as an officer in the
Army. I decided to study electrical engineering because I wanted to do something
what is always needed and promising for the future. Even as a little boy
I have been tinkering with circuits using electronics kits. My philosophy is: No matter
what you do, do it with joy. Then you'll do it better and longer."
What would you work for free for a week?
"I have always enjoyed working with my hands. Whether in childhood in the vineyard
my father, in the garden or while working on construction sites such as renovating
of my parental home. For charitable projects I would give my time and skills to
would be happy to contribute free of charge. This could be, for example, for clean-up or
This could be repair work after a storm or similar. I would also use my energy in aid projects for the needy at home or abroad,
as we have always done in the Rotary Club, of which I am a member."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. You don't even necessarily have to look for them,
but to be open to recognizing opportunities even when they present themselves to a
open up. I am a very decisive person and I am not afraid of it,
to make unpleasant decisions. In my opinion, there are no wrong decisions either.
Decisions but not to decide is wrong. Of course the situations are
and circumstances are always different for everyone, but everyone should and may make their decisions in
can meet in this very environment."
How do you face setbacks and deal with difficulties?
"I don't look at a setback as a step back, I just look at it as a
Step in a different direction. A setback probably means that there is no further
is continuing along the path we have taken. This forces us to take stock of where we stand
make and realign ourselves and then move on. It has helped me in my
private and business environment always helped not to see the problems,
but always only the solutions. This often overwhelms my environment, but the solution
because of that, I can live with that very well."
What is especially important to you in your work environment and what is definitely not coming into the office?
"A good working atmosphere is very important to me. The employees should feel comfortable
and can communicate openly with each other. That is why my door is always open
for concerns of my employees. I require everyone to work conscientiously
and expect each individual to take responsibility. To this end
I provide all employees with the necessary skills and tools.
Delegating can be one of those tools, but pushing work off is something else
And this is not coming to my power plant."
We would like to thank Mr. Jäger for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
