How to find a student job in Germany?
Student jobs in Germany prepare you for the working world and improve your employability by equipping you with skills and experiences that will help you stand out from other applicants. Not only will you gain professional experience, but time spent immersed in German culture, both at work and elsewhere, will provide you with the kind of cultural literacy that many companies respect. Let us take a look together at how you can find a student job in Germany and fit it into your study schedule.
Finding a student job
Before we get to the different means of finding a student job, it is important to note why we are talking about student jobs and not internships. Internships in Germany are generally full-time. However, according to German law, you can still work during your studies for up to 20 hours a week, regardless of whether you are a local or international student. Additionally, oftentimes the university you are studying at will have integrated internships as part of the curriculum, just like in our BA programs, in the 5th semester.
Online
There are many websites dedicated to job listings that may make the process of finding a student job a lot easier. Moreover, these websites include information on upcoming events or job fairs, as well as a regular newsletter for job-seekers.
Organisation
Organisations are a great way of finding a student job. There are many student organisations offering a variety of jobs across many industry sectors. Same as many other websites, they have regular newsletters you can sign up for and get updates from.
Company
If you have a specific company in mind for which you would like to work, go straight to their website to see what information they have. The majority of websites have a career section where you can browse for part-time jobs.
Job fairs
Attending a job fair is another option if you are looking for work or simply want to learn more about what your chosen professional area requires. Job fairs are not just for prospective employees but also for prospective students. You can ask recruitment experts directly what they are looking for and build some valuable connections. A big one to keep an eye on is the Connecticum Job Fair that happens annually in Berlin. Similarly, some companies attend “recruiting events” and may advertise their attendance on their homepage.
Networking
Everyone knows someone who knows someone, and that person might sometimes be the key to making that crucial connection. Do not be afraid to ask your family, friends, professors or fellow students.
Tips on how to balance your studies and a student job
Create a schedule and stick to it
The key to creating a schedule is to consider how you work best. There are many free calendar apps that help with managing your commitments. You can use them on your computer or download them on your phone and even enable notifications to alert you when you have class or your student job starting soon. Sticking to a clear and organised schedule is a gamechanger when it comes to balancing your studies and a student job.
Keep track of your time and work
No company wants a student worker whose life is dominated by schoolwork and who is always late to work or misses meetings because they need to do their university assignments. The same goes for neglecting your schoolwork or showing poor effort on exams and projects. Because there are only so many hours in a day to get things done, achieving that balance may be tough. Make sure you are keeping track of how many hours you put into your classes and your student job each week.
Prioritise important deadlines
Looking back at the importance of the previous two tips, you will want to keep track of important deadlines. These will be exams, projects, presentations at university, and assignments or essential company meetings at your student job. Mark the date on your calendar as soon as you are made aware of an important event. Consider how much time and effort these tasks will require and schedule a time to complete them. This can really help you in time management and provide you with a better understanding of your level of productivity.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article on how to find a student job in Germany and fit it into your study schedule. And if you are interested in studying abroad at Berlin International, we offer a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes to choose from. Feel free to contact our Student Affairs team at any time via application@berlin-international.de
