Anastasia – the master of indulgence
The development of our apprentices is very important to us. At Emmi, all employees are valued and encouraged. Read the daily routine of our Apprentice Dairy Technologist Anastasia here. Why did she choose Emmi? Which activities does she enjoy best?
Anastasia is in her third and final year of her Dairy Technologist apprenticeship at Emmi’s Suhr site. Every day, she processes the natural raw material milk into tasty, high-quality butter. Supported by cutting-edge technology and a great team, she manages to put a smile on people’s faces with these treats day after day. Learn more about her in the interview.
Why did you choose Emmi?
I knew early on that the food industry was exactly the world for me – it’s no wonder, as my mother had previously worked at Emmi in Aarau. Even as a child, it fascinated me to see how simple ingredients can be made into high-quality products. That’s how I found out about Emmi in the first place.
During my trial apprenticeship at Emmi, I was particularly impressed by the variety. I find the profession so versatile and no two days are the same. That instantly won me over.
Not only have I now found a wonderful job, but I’ve also greatly expanded my network. I have a lot of friends here and even my best friend works at Emmi. That makes it very special.
How does Emmi support you when facing problems or challenges?
Fortunately, I’ve rarely had any problems so far. My vocational trainer Bruno is my first point of contact and is very supportive with suggestions for solutions. He always says: “We solve challenges together.” That’s a good feeling because it helps me know that I’m not alone.
What has had impacted your learning journey the most?
One special experience during my apprenticeship was the commissioning of the new UHT system in Suhr. This system folds the cartons and fills in the milk. At the moment, it’s actually the fastest system on our site. During commissioning, I was able to help take sterile samples before the system was put into operation. This was a very important task, as the system has to be absolutely sterile before it comes into contact with high-quality dairy products.
Sterile samples are used to check that everything is clean and sterile. This indicates in part by the milk’s pH level whether the system is hygienically sound. This task was what sparked my interest in lab work.
During the apprenticeship, we apprentice dairy technologists change departments every four weeks. I always particularly look forward to the time in the lab, where we can spend a total of 18 weeks during the entire apprenticeship. I love to perform analyses during the lab time. I am particularly interested in everything to do with microorganisms and how they can influence our products. This work fascinates me time and time again and shows me just how exciting my job is.
What does your everyday work look like?
My day-to-day work at Emmi always varies depending on the department. Currently, I’m working in the butter department, where I’m mainly busy filling and packaging. I usually start my day at 6:00 am and can finish at 3:00 pm.
My first task in the morning is always to check the current status with the department. That way, I know what’s ahead for the day, what challenges I faced in the previous shift and how things currently stand. Once I have this information, it’s time to get started. I run the system, meaning that I control the machines. If a new item is to be produced, I set up the system for it. That means I program the machines so that they know exactly what to do. For example, what quantities, temperatures or packaging are needed. In between, I regularly take samples to check the quality of the products. Once the items are finished, I shut down the system again. That essentially means I turn it off and prepare it for the next assignment.
Every now and then I still have time for some tests. Sometimes, I also have to solve minor problems with the system, which can usually be done by adjusting the settings. I find it exciting to get to grips with the technical details. Every day brings new challenges, which makes my day-to-day work exciting.
What has been your best Emmi moment?
My best Emmi moment was definitely when I was accepted to work in the lab as a laboratory assistant at Emmi after my apprenticeship, and I will start this summer. At the end of my second year as an apprentice, I applied for a position in our Emmi lab and then had an interview with the person in charge.
This was a special moment because it took an incredible amount of pressure off me. Now I don’t have to worry about what’s next after I finish my apprenticeship. I can concentrate fully on completing my apprenticeship and the many exams without having to worry about the future. I am also delighted to be continuing to work for Emmi.
What do you enjoy best at Emmi?
I really enjoy running the systems. It allows me to apply what I have learnt in school directly in practice, which makes it incredibly interesting. It is exciting to see theoretical knowledge from subjects such as ‘manufacturing’ or ‘basic analysis’ put to use in everyday work.
What’s your favourite product?
Emmi Energy Milk Strawberry is more than just a drink for me. Whenever I visit my relatives in Italy, I drink it with my family. These little moments are special for me and always bring back some beautiful memories.
What motivates you?
My biggest motivation for doing my best every day is the feeling that I’m in good hands at Emmi. To me, Emmi is like a second family – I simply feel at home here. Knowing that I’ve been involved in the finished products is also a special feeling. For example, whenever I see a block of butter on the table in the morning, I know that I worked on it. That makes me proud.
I also look forward to working with my colleagues every day. It is especially nice to see my best friend, who is currently working in the lab, during breaks and lunch. This gives me extra energy and joy to come to work every day.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’ll start my first dream for the future this summer with my job in the lab. But my long-term dream is to become a food inspector. However, this requires five years of professional experience if you have not completed any specific training in this field. Working in the lab is an ideal way for me to fill this time with valuable work experience.
After these five years, I would then like to start the further training that I need to become a food inspector. With the lab as my starting signal, I feel well prepared and look forward to what the future holds.
“Don’t give up on what’s important because it’s not easy.“
What are your goals?
My first professional goal is to successfully complete my apprenticeship. After that, I want to succeed in taking up my position in the lab and continue my professional development there.
Personally, my biggest wish is to never lose the joy of life. But I don’t have any specific goals. I just want to make the best of every situation and focus on what makes me happy in life.
Our author Sophie
My name is Sophie Jung and I started my three-year commercial apprenticeship at Emmi in 2023.
From August 2024 to January 2025, I had the great pleasure of working in Corporate Communications. During this time, I was involved in an exciting project: the creation of various apprentice portraits. This was a great opportunity to plan and realise a product independently. If I had any questions, my practice photographer and my team were always there to support me.
Now the moment has come for me to share the portrait of Anastasia. I am incredibly proud of the result and am delighted to be able to present the stories and faces of our learners.
