Career

My Story of Change – Lóránd Ihász

2025. 04. 04.

He expected good – and got even better

He was and remains a constructor, just as three-dimensional computer-aided design continues to be the main part of his work, yet the design of parts for tool factories and the automotive industry is a completely different task. Lóránd Ihász changed territories after nineteen years.

When did you become an employee of Audi Hungaria?

Exactly 20 years ago, as a fresh graduate of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, I applied to Audi in Győr, which I considered my dream workplace even as a high school student. Since I liked computer-aided three-dimensional design during my university years, I tried to find a job in this direction. So I was especially happy when I was offered the job of a tool designer. And at the same time, it was a nearly one-year training in Ingolstadt, as the construction of tool manufacturing and design in Győr began in 2005, i.e. there was only a forest on the site of the future factory in Győr. I wasn't excited about learning in Germany – because I studied at the University of Karlsruhe, for example, as a university student, and thanks to this I was able to do practical tasks at German companies – I was more interested in tool design. At the University of Budapest, we dealt with this almost only tangentially, as at that time it seemed that three-dimensional tool design would not be available in Hungary for a long time. What happens to this? At first, they apply me to such a task. However, I was not only able to learn about this job, I was also able to follow how the idea becomes a reality in the construction and operation of a factory.

After graduating from university, the deep water really came immediately...

Yes, but I really enjoyed it. After all, the university taught me certain technical intelligence and problem-solving skills during my mechanical engineering training, which I found very useful. As well as the internship periods I was able to spend at German companies. However, I learned the process of tool design and manufacturing in its entirety in Ingolstadt and Győr. And my work has also become my hobby.

Still, you switched. Why?

Life brought us to the point where the colorful vision of the future faded somewhat, which encouraged me to be proactive, try to get ahead of things and look for other opportunities and new jobs within the company. On the one hand, it was interesting to experience the extent to which Audi Hungaria supports changing jobs for the sake of personal motivation. On the other hand, it means that my colleagues and I were friends with each other even when we were looking for a new place, often "competing with each other". Although I was a little worried that only my umpteenth interview led to a result, I understood it as leaving a chance to fate, which ultimately put me in the right place.

You moved from the Tool Factory to the Technical Development Center, but the construction work didn't change. Or is it?

This is also a constructor's job, indeed, but the two are heaven and earth. During the 19 years I spent in the tool factory, I learned to be very thorough and learn from my mistakes. With the experience I gained, there was no task during which I could not immediately see the requested tool in front of me, and this gave me sufficient confidence. Armed with all this, I bravely stood in front of my new task. Perhaps all this was felt at the interview where I finally got a chance to learn. I was also inspired by the trust placed in me by my future leader. I expected good and I got even better! On January 1, 2024, I found myself in a co-worker environment where I was immediately accepted and helped in everything. With such support, learning was easier, which was especially important because the differences were really big compared to my previous task. I would like to highlight one thing in particular, which perhaps highlights the essence of the discrepancy the most. While there were weekly meetings in the tool factory, here it is common to have 5-6 meetings a day as a so-called parts manager, and on an international level, which requires more fast-paced work. Since I don't construct alone, but am part of a development process, I also have to communicate with manufacturing and development companies, which also requires English language skills. In addition to German, I also learned to communicate in English at an acceptable level on my own, but in view of my new task, I immediately started to learn it officially, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the company.
 

What would you say to those who are thinking about changing jobs within the company?

If someone feels that perhaps their motivation has waned a little, it is worth getting ahead of things. It is certain that our former managers, as well as our HR officer and recruiter colleagues have given us all the help they can. I owe a special thank you to my former leaders, who also supported me spiritually in this situation. It is true that the change involves uncertainty, but I was sure – like my other colleagues who have been in similar shoes – that Audi Hungaria stands for safety in such a case as well.

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