HerStory - Episode 2:
Anna's story: From university straight to the heart of intralogistics
Some people just write their thesis - Anna Sophia Kehmstedt scripted a whole new career while she was at it
In October 2023, she joined us as a working student in the Robotic Solutions department. Instead of approaching the industry slowly, Anna seized the opportunity straight away and asked herself a big question:
How can medium-sized companies exploit the full potential of automation?
She developed the answer in her Master's thesis and landed with flying colors:
Grade 1.0
Funding award
Best Master's degree
However, Anna doesn't think in terms of degrees, but in terms of opportunities. Today, she is already Head of Robotics in the AutoStore department and is actively shaping the future of intralogistics with fresh ideas, a clear attitude and a great deal of courage.
"My Master's thesis was the starting signal for a world that inspires me. I didn't just want to talk about automation, I wanted to implement real projects and I received great support from HÖRMANN. The fact that I have now sold my first project myself shows me that I can really make a difference here."
3 questions for Anna
When was the moment you knew: "This is my place"?
When I controlled a robot for the first time during my studies, it was clear to me that I wanted to work in automation. The more I learned about the complexity behind it, the more fascinating it became. Seeing how an entire system works automatically still inspires me to this day.
What was your biggest hurdle and how did you overcome it?
Being taken seriously. As a young, petite blonde, I was often ridiculed, mistaken for an intern or confronted with jokes. That was annoying and sometimes frustrating, but that's exactly what sparked my ambition. I wanted to show that ability, expertise and perseverance have nothing to do with appearances. Today, I see this as a strength: if you are underestimated, you can surprise even more.
What would you like to say to women who are still hesitating to go down this path?
Just do it! It's a great feeling to do what you're really passionate about and to carve out your own place. That's what makes you really proud in the end.
We are glad to have such strong personalities like Anna in our team. People who don't ask what is possible, but just show up and make things possible.
Stay tuned: In the next issue of "HerStory", we will tell another exciting story.
