Diving into Backend Development in Berlin: My Experience with Erfahrung

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, working as a junior Java developer. Honestly, the initial shock of moving from [Your Home City] was intense, but settling into the work – specifically focusing on backend development – has been a real challenge and a huge learning curve. I wanted to share what I’ve learned about “Erfahrung” – experience – and how it’s starting to feel less like a huge, abstract concept and more like something I can actually build.

The First Few Weeks: “Wie geht’s?” and Confusion

The first few weeks were… chaotic. I was drowning in German, drowning in new jargon, and drowning in the realization that “Wie geht’s?” doesn’t always mean “How’s it going?” It can mean anything from “How are you?” to “How’s the weather?” I made so many mistakes. I once asked a colleague, Klaus, for “die Datenbank” (the database) and he looked at me like I’d sprouted a second head! He patiently explained that it’s “die Datenbank.” Small things, but they added up. My German was holding me back, impacting my ability to collaborate effectively. I realized quickly that improving my fluency was absolutely crucial to gaining “Erfahrung”.

Java, Backend, and the DevOps Dream

My job at [Company Name – let’s say a smaller fintech startup] involves building features for their mobile app using Java and Spring Boot. The backend is built on a microservices architecture – which, let’s be honest, sounded terrifying at first. They’re really into DevOps – continuous integration, continuous deployment – so there’s a lot of automation, Docker, Kubernetes… It’s intense! I’m learning so much about deployment pipelines, serverless functions, and generally how everything fits together. I’m really getting into it.

A typical day looks something like this: I’ll start with a stand-up meeting ( “Stand-up?!” – yes, everyone stands up!). We discuss what we worked on yesterday, what we’re working on today, and any roadblocks. Then I’ll spend the morning coding, often debugging, and trying to implement new features based on the team’s requirements. Afterwards, I’ll often spend some time learning about new technologies or best practices.

Teamwork & “Das Team” – Collaboration is Key

The team is fantastic. They are extremely supportive and encouraging. There’s a real emphasis on collaboration, and I’ve learned so much from observing how my colleagues work together. One thing that’s particularly important is “Das Team” – the team. They really value knowledge sharing. During our daily stand-ups, someone might say, “Ich habe ein Problem mit dem Server,” (I have a problem with the server), and everyone jumps in to help. I’ve even started using Slack constantly – it’s become my lifeline for asking questions and getting help.

I had a situation recently where I was trying to deploy a new version of my code. I followed the instructions carefully, but it just wouldn’t work. Frustrated, I went to Mark, a senior developer, and explained what I’d done. He walked me through the entire process, pointing out a small typo in my configuration file. It was incredibly helpful – a classic example of how experience is shared within a team.

Interview Questions & My Approach

I recently came across a job posting on check24 (Read More for a Senior MWD (Mobile Web Development) Java Backend Entwickler. The questions were focused on practical experience, so I knew I had to be prepared. Here are some of the questions I anticipated and how I’d answer:

• “Erzählen Sie mir von einem Projekt, bei dem Sie Java verwendet haben.” (Tell me about a project where you used Java.) – “Ich habe an einem Projekt gearbeitet, bei dem wir eine mobile App für ein [insert fictional company name] entwickelt haben. Ich war für die Entwicklung der Backend-Logik verantwortlich, hauptsächlich mit Spring Boot und der Integration mit einer Datenbank (MySQL). Ich habe auch ein REST-API entwickelt, um die mobile App mit dem Backend zu verbinden.” (I worked on a project where we developed a mobile app for a [insert fictional company name]. I was responsible for developing the backend logic, primarily with Spring Boot and integration with a database (MySQL). I also developed a REST API to connect the mobile app with the backend.)
• “Wie gehen Sie mit Debugging um?” (How do you handle debugging?) – “Ich verwende ein Tool namens IntelliJ IDEA, um den Code zu debuggen. Ich setze Breakpoints, setze Variablen, und schaue mir den Programmablauf an, um das Problem zu finden. Ich versuche auch, mein Problem in kleine, überschaubare Schritte zu zerlegen.” (I use a tool called IntelliJ IDEA to debug the code. I set breakpoints, examine variables, and watch the program flow to find the problem. I also try to break my problem down into smaller, manageable steps.)
• “Was sind Ihre Kenntnisse in DevOps?” (What are your knowledge of DevOps?) – “Ich habe Erfahrung mit Docker, Kubernetes, und CI/CD Pipelines. Ich verstehe die Prinzipien der Automatisierung und die Bedeutung von Continuous Integration und Continuous Deployment.” (I have experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD Pipelines. I understand the principles of automation and the importance of continuous integration and continuous deployment.)

Looking Ahead: Building My Experience

I still have so much to learn. I want to become more comfortable with the German culture and working practices. I’m actively trying to attend tech meetups and workshops to connect with other developers. More importantly, I’m embracing the “Erfahrung” – actively seeking out opportunities to learn from my colleagues, to make mistakes (and learn from them!), and to contribute meaningfully to the team. My goal is to not just be a skilled Java developer, but to be a valuable member of “Das Team” here in Berlin. And, you know, maybe even master “Wie geht’s?”.

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