first career choice—but it was the right one. She realized this
during an internship at Josef Göbel. And the fact that she had to
go back to school for her apprenticeship? “No problem,” says the
career changer. After all, this is about something different.
The Kalcher name carries weight at Josef Göbel. Father Jürgen is practically a fixture
within the company. About a year and a half ago, the family’s presence expanded with a
further member. That said, Anna-Sophie Kalcher is not afforded any special privileges.
However, her first internship in Fladnitz placed her in the design department—under the
guidance of her father, Jürgen. It was there that she discovered her passion for carpentry
technology.
Originally, the now 20-year-old attended a Waldorf school, but the pandemic drained the joy
from her studies. She sought out an apprenticeship—something solid, a foundation to build
upon. Initially, she considered a career in mechatronics, yet her internship unexpectedly
steered her toward woodworking.“I immediately liked the drawing aspect in the design
office,” she says.
In vocational school, students now work with AutoCAD—her first self-designed and built piece
of furniture was a sideboard. “You can create some really cool things,” she says. “We are also
starting to learn programming for CNC machines.” It seems she has rediscovered her love for
school.
Anna-Sophie Kalcher
During the nine months of the year when she is not in vocational school, Anna-Sophie rotates
through different departments at Josef Göbel, just like all apprentices. She has already worked
in shopfitting and the craft workshop. She has yet to choose a favorite area—after just a year
and a half, that might be too soon—but: “For example, we built the cash register for Solebox,”
she says. “That was really interesting.”
immediately knew—this is my thing! It makes me happy, and on
top of that, something cool comes out of it.”
Looking Ahead
“The atmosphere among the apprentices,” she says, “is very good.” Recently, there were
about ten apprentices, though some completed their final apprenticeship exams (LAP) in 2024.
Most of them will likely stay with the company. As for what Anna-Sophie Kalcher will do after
her LAP, she does not know yet. Right now, she is focused on vocational school. And after that,
she still has two years of apprenticeship ahead of her.
But who knows? Maybe one day she will follow in the footsteps of her father Jürgen.
