Orientation

Most students do not come to university with clearly formed ideas in mind regarding their future careers. That's why it is important to use your time as a student to experience a wide range of career fields to find orientation.

No career goal in sight yet? Discover your possibilities at SPACE | How do I plan the path from my studies to my dream job? | Trainee programs | Information on occupational fields | Testimonials from alumni

No career goal in sight yet? Discover your possibilities at SPACE

Career orientation is a process that accompanies you throughout your studies. The SPACE for Big Dream online tool provides you with tools, exercises, and inspiration to help you on your way to your dream job.

Get to know possible career fields.
Think about the questions “Who am I?” "What can I do well?” “What do I want?” You will get to know your abilities, strengths, wishes, and goals better.
Collect your successes, goals, and plans in your personal portfolio, which will accompany you throughout your studies.

We recommend SPACE for all Bachelor students from the 3rd semester onwards. The SPACE is private, free of charge, and accessible without restrictions

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How do I plan the path from my studies to my dream job?

Gather information

Orientation internship during semester breaks (6-8 weeks)
Vacation jobs, part-time jobs, or even volunteer work
Semester abroad: yes/no?
Attend the career fairs Life Science and Career Days
Recognize your own abilities and interests
Carry out a career orientation test and evaluate the results during a consultation at the CareerCenter

Objective: Explore occupational fields, make contacts, get to know companies

Develop a profile

Select and deepen your profile
Targeted internship (3 - 6 months) in Germany / abroad
Carrying out a semester abroad
F.I.T. seminars, language courses, online courses with LinkedIn Learning
Participation in research projects (Humboldt reloaded)
Research job portals and read job advertisements
Put together application documents

Goal: gain subject-specific experience (theory and praxis), develop skills, and identify strengths

Write a Bachelor’s thesis

Foto: Universität Hohenheim / Uta Rometsch.

Determine topic of Bachelor's thesis
Tip: The Bachelor's thesis counts as practical experience. Therefore, the topic should match the focus of your studies as closely as possible.
Prepare a Bachelor's thesis in cooperation with a company: Coordination with department required

Objective: Create your own competence profile (summary of expertise, experience, skills and strengths)

Prepare for career entry or a Master's degree

Prepare for career entry:

Define your desired position: Industry, company, location
Analyze the labor market: Read job advertisements
Use your own network: Contacts from internships, working student activities, job fairs
Apply professionally

Prepare for a Master's degree

Select a degree program and university (contact student counselling service)
Observe the requirements, enrollment deadlines, and application procedures of the university you want to attend

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What benefits does the job market 4.0 have? And what are future skills?

Digitalization, networking, 'Big Data,' sustainability - new challenges, new opportunities, new values, and new spaces for action are opening up to us as a result of the acceleration and complexity of our environment. Companies and institutions are already in a process of constant adaptation and transformation to the rapidly changing world. These developments are also summarized under the term 'Future Organizations.'

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to learn skills known as “future skills” in order to find your way in the job market 4.0 and to provide important ideas yourself.

The section continuing educationprovides an overview of formats in which future skills can be learned or further developed.

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Trainee programs

In addition to direct entry into the professional world, trainee programs are also offered. But what exactly is a trainee program? The term trainee program is not a specific legal term, so the conditions and quality of the programs can vary greatly.

In a trainee program, you will get to know various company divisions and locations. Further training is also an integral part of a trainee program. Classically, a trainee program serves to develop managers. With direct entry, you tend to focus on one area of expertise and one task, with the goal of quickly working independently and taking on responsibility.

Classic trainee program

Duration: 12 - 24 months
Companies train their own up-and-coming specialists and managers
Fixed sequence, gives insight into different company divisions
It is only at a later stage that a commitment is made to a specific position or to a specific department
Objective: Orientation, get to know each other, network, discover career perspectives
Active participation in the various departments (learning on the job)
Responsibility for your own projects
Establishment of a company-wide network
Stay abroad, especially in international companies
Integrated further training measures (management skills)
Mentor as a contact person during the whole program
Trainee program is not a media traineeship (Volontariat) or internship
Salary is usually set by the company, depending on the industry and company size. Possibly lower than for direct entry, but additional benefits (support, workshops and seminars, stay abroad, career prospects, etc.)
Follow-up position in the company is possible, but not always a matter of course

Specialist trainee program

Difference to the classic trainee program:

As a specialist trainee, you also pass through various stations, but only departments that are relevant to your own specialist area, e.g. HR: recruiting, payroll, staff development, etc.

The specialist trainee program will train you to become a specialist in a particular field. The target position or area of application is already determined at the beginning of the program.

Information on occupational fields

BERUFENET

On BERUFENET, which is managed by the Federal Employment Agency, you can find descriptions of more than 3000 professions which are assigned to a total of 123 occupational fields in 16 occupational areas.

To get started without a concrete career idea, the search for occupational fields is suitable. If you have a concrete career idea or a career goal then you can search for job titles or current occupations.

The information on current occupations includes

Tasks and activities
Required qualifications and competences
Education and training opportunities
Entry requirements, earning potential, etc.

JobTeaser

JobTeaser is a recruiting and career platform for students and graduates. In addition to the database for internships and entry-level jobs, events are organized and company profiles and career tips are provided.

wilabonn

The Science Shop Bonn e.V. (wilabonn) offers analyses of current developments in various occupational fields. Every week the nationwide job offers from 92 daily and weekly newspapers, 23 trade journals as well as around 100 selected job exchanges and other online sources are evaluated.

Info portals

Associations and information platforms at a glance

Agricultural sciences

Natural sciences

Business Administration and Economics

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Testimonials from alumni

“What can I do with my studies?” Here we feature graduates from all three faculties who are working in a wide variety of career fields. They share their experiences from their studies and give tips for starting a career as well as insights into their professional world.