Merging Shopfloor & Software: My International Journey to Becoming an AI Project Manager
Meet Melodie Kessler, eXplore IT Trainee from our 2024/2025 Pool.
Having gained professional experience prior to Continental, she decided to join the program in our plant in Sarreguemines, France, and now works on bringing AI to our tires production.
Find out more about her new position, her reflections on the program and what recommendations she has for you!
Hi Melodie! You just successfully finalized your eXplore Trainee Program. Congrats! What are you doing now that it is over, and how do you view your new tasks versus what you imagined yourself doing before starting at Continental?
Hi! Thank you so much. It feels great to have completed the eXplore Trainee Program.
I’m now working as a Project Manager in Artificial Intelligence in Sarreguemines plant. I implement AI solutions that support my colleagues in their daily work and help the plant move toward Innovation.
Before joining Continental, I had always been drawn to innovation, research and development, and roles where I could learn something new every day. I imagined myself in a position where I could grow, explore new technologies, and really contribute to meaningful improvements. And that’s exactly what I’m doing today.
Since I was already familiar with AI thanks to my previous experience, the technical aspects matched my expectations. What the program truly brought me was a new understanding of where the real impact happens: on the shopfloor, close to the people who live the processes every day. Being present on the ground, listening and co-creating solutions is what makes AI truly valuable.
When reflecting on the past one and a half year, what comes to your mind?
When I look back on the past one and a half years, the first thing that comes to my mind is how grateful I am for this journey. I feel incredibly lucky to have lived this experience, it connected me deeply not only to my home plant, but also to the global Continental community.
It wasn’t just a program, it felt like becoming part of something bigger.
These months were intense, sometimes challenging, but always meaningful. I pushed myself far outside my comfort zone, discovered new environments, met amazing people, and saw myself grow in ways I didn’t expect. There were moments of doubt, moments of pride, and many moments where I realized, ‘Okay… I can actually do this.’
More than anything, this experience gave me real confidence in myself, and it reminded me why I love what I do: I enjoy learning, discovering new things, and working on projects that have a positive impact on people’s daily work.
What would you like to share with students out there who are considering professional development inside Continental?
I would absolutely recommend this program to any student who’s considering starting their professional journey at Continental. For me, it was much more than just a trainee program, it was a true springboard.
What makes it so special is how quickly you feel part of the company. You don’t just observe from the outside, you’re directly in the heart of the action. You discover the production environment, the challenges teams face every day, and the impact your work can really have. At the same time, you gain a broader understanding of how the company operates, how decisions are made, and how Continental’s strategy translates into concrete actions.
One of the things I appreciated the most is the freedom you get to explore and learn from real experiences. You meet people from all over the world, you discover different working cultures, and you realize how big, but also how accessible this community is. These exchanges, the support from mentors, and the trust you receive make a huge difference when you’re just starting out.
If you’re curious, if you want to grow, and if you’re looking for a place where you can truly make an impact from day one, this program is an incredible opportunity. It gives you confidence, opens doors, and helps you find your place, both professionally and personally within Continental.
