„I wanted to do something else” – Nadja’s journey to becoming a Scrum Master
Career paths are rarely straightforward, and sometimes the most rewarding experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Nadja Ehms, a Scrum Master at ipoque, is a perfect example of how perseverance and a willingness to embrace change can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career opportunities. As a Scrum Master, Nadja is responsible for optimizing processes. Whenever project teams get stuck, Nadja helps them find innovative solutions to their problems. She also represents her team's interests across team boundaries. Her journey not only highlights the personal growth possibilities at ipoque but also sheds light on how Scrum and Agile methodologies are deeply ingrained in the company’s culture.
In this interview you will discover how Nadja Ehms embraced change at ipoque, transforming her career path to become a successful Scrum Master at ipoque. Learn about the challenges she faced, the support she received and how her wish to develop her strengths led to a fulfilling career change.
Nadja, it is fair to say that your career path is rather unusual. How did you get from the legal field to the software field?
Originally, I started my career in the legal sector. In 2014, I applied for a position as a software tester at another company, which brought me into the technical field – something I had never planned. In January 2021, I had the exciting opportunity to join ipoque and became part of the Project Quality Assurance team. It was a diverse and intense role that I found both enjoyable and challenging.
At one point, my manager Stefan Kreutzer approached me and said, "They're looking for new Scrum Masters! Would that be something for you?" Although I didn’t have any prior experience as a Scrum Master, I’ve always enjoyed organizational and management tasks. I like working closely with people and the internal job offer seemed like a perfect fit for me and my situation, which I wanted to change.
“In my role as a Quality Assurance engineer, I had to leave my comfort zone every day. And I wanted to change that. So I took a course to become a Scrum Master.”
- Nadja Ehms -
Thanks to the continuing education opportunities at ipoque, I was able to evolve within and outside my comfort zone – specifically in the communicative and organizational fields. As a Scrum Master, I can actively contribute to shaping processes and driving improvements across our teams.
So your colleagues played an important role in your journey?
Absolutely. My then and current team have supported and encouraged me right from the start. Thanks to the close collaboration with other Scrum Masters, I was able to get up to speed very quickly. The support I received from my team is unique and I truly appreciate it. A special thanks goes to my former supervisor Stefan, who recognized my potential and encouraged me to apply for this position. His confidence in me was incredibly helpful and I’m very grateful for his support.
And how come that you decided to do the course internally at ipoque?
After starting at ipoque, I’ve always had the opportunity to continue my education internally. The collaboration and exchanges with my colleagues are not only enjoyable but also highly beneficial to my professional development. That’s why I decided to take the course internally, which proved to be the right decision.
"I really enjoy working with my colleagues at ipoque. But I wanted to do something else. The internal course allowed me to combine both – working with the people at ipoque and doing tasks that suit me better".
- Nadja Ehms -
To whom would you recommend continuing education?
At ipoque, employees are encouraged to have open conversations with their managers about training or other measures that can support their professional growth. I can always go to my manager Kristin Scholz and talk openly about training or other things that will help me grow.
“We are proud of our team-based working environment that leaves plenty of scope to explore possibilities and take initiative.”
- Nadja Ehms -
Nevertheless, you should bring some personal qualities to the job. In my opinion, empathy is the most important personal quality for a Scrum Master. The ability to empathize with different characters and the agility to react to change are essential qualities for a successful Scrum Master, and I am convinced that it is important to find the best way to achieve goals together with the team.
Nadja story is a testament to the opportunities that arise when you embrace change, be that by stepping out of or back into your comfort zone. Her journey at ipoque showcases the importance of personal growth, continuous learning and the power of a supportive team. If her experience has inspired you, and you're looking for a dynamic environment where you can grow both personally and professionally, consider exploring the exciting career opportunities at ipoque. Visit our career page to find out more about our current job openings and how you can be a part of our innovative team.
