Alumni.Insights: Guidance for International Students in Navigating Careers in Germany
On November 13, the online event »Alumni.Insights« provided around 50 international students with valuable perspectives on pursuing careers in Germany. Hosted by the Faculty of Media and the Career Service, the event featured three international alumni Fauziah Permatasari (Human-Computer Interaction), Lucky Chandrautama (Computer Science for Digital Media), and Aayush Shah (Digital Engineering) who shared their professional journeys and insights.
The event commenced with an informative session by the Career Service, focusing on job search strategies and application processes in Germany. This served as a foundation for the subsequent panel discussion, which delved into essential career development themes. Moderator Mubtasim Sabik navigated together with tutor Kuntal Dive through the panel with questions of several topics concerning the experience of the alumni while looking for their first job.
One of the topics discussed was the importance of networking. The alumni highlighted how building professional relationships and engaging with industry professionals can significantly enhance job opportunities. They shared personal anecdotes about how networking opened doors to their current positions, but they also mentioned that although networking is a helpful tool to get a job, your qualifications are important to build a sustainable career.
Another crucial topic was the timing of job applications. The panellists emphasized the need for strategic planning, encouraging students to start their job search early and be mindful of typical hiring cycles though out the year in their industries of interest. This approach can help to avoid unnecessary frustration during the application process.
Language proficiency also emerged as a significant point of discussion. The alumni emphasised the importance of learning German, as it is not only an advantage for professional and social inclusion, but also for personnel selection. When applicants have the same professional qualifications, those with German language skills at B1 level or higher are given preference. Concerning taking German lessons, it was pointed out that it is advisable to start German courses while still at university, as these offer better value for money than those taken later on.
The same applies to practical experience gained during one's studies. Whether it's a working student position, an internship or a student assistant position at university, it is always beneficial to be able to demonstrate experience beyond one's studies. Projects undertaken during one's studies that are relevant to the position are also taken into account by HR managers in their assessment.
Personal experiences were also shared, such as the transition from university life to the working world, experiences with visa changes and immigration authorities, as well as topics related to changing jobs, such as moving and finding one's way around a new city.
Overall, »Alumni.Insights« proved to be an inspiring event, offering international students a realistic glimpse into the German job market while nurturing the skills and strategies necessary for career success. The experiences and advice shared by the alumni serve as a valuable roadmap for those aspiring to carve out a professional path in Germany.
Events like this will be organized every semester. If you want to get informed, you can subscribe to the Bauhaus Career Navigator Newsletter:https://veranstaltungen.uni-weimar.de/de/events/018f719a-e20b-767c-ab86-f348ab14c570
Next up will be the networking event series »Career Insights« where different IT companies will give firsthand insights into current projects and their application process.
More information and registration here:
https://veranstaltungen.uni-weimar.de/de/my_account/event_series/019a5392-0eaa-79ea-9698-e6b9ae19ddde