Career planning
After graduation, there are countless career paths that graduates can take. An early orientation which working area might be an option after graduation helps to define a concrete goal. Be aware of your strengths and interests and consider what your future work environment should ideally look like.
Once the goal - in this case a specific job or field of work - has been found, the question is: What do I need, in addition to a good degree, in order to succeed in entering the desired career field? Is there knowledge, experience or skills that I should acquire during my studies?
At TU Dortmund University, there are various support options and contact points that help with these questions.
Career planning - an overview
The "Career Info-Sessions" series regularly offers an online event on the topic of career orientation and planning. It offers a general overview of the topic and assistance in dealing with one's own career planning.
Career planning does not start just before the end of your studies. Actively working towards a goal while you are still studying helps enormously when you start your working life. In the event, we clarify questions such as: What career paths are there? How can I get closer to my goals? Are voluntary internships useful? And what qualifications are important in addition to my university degree? The info session offers tips and assistance for individual career planning. The next info sessions on this topic will be held online on the following dates:
Gathering practical experiences
Internships and thesis
Practical experiences are not only a good addition to a CV, but also offer the opportunity to take a closer look at a professional field. What does a particular job entail? What does the day-to-day work look like? Possibly the experience confirms you in your desired goal and you now know exactly what you are working toward. Or perhaps you realize that a different career path is more in line with your interests and strengths. Practical experience in the working world is therefore an enrichment in any case.
During your studies, (voluntary) internships and theses in companies or organizations are a good way to gain practical experience. Questions regarding recognition in your studies should be discussed in detail with your department in advance.
Your department may offer tips and assistance for finding an internship. Therefore, also take a look at the support services offered by your faculty.
Departments
Job postings for internships, entry-level positions and more can be found in the stellenwerk TU Dortmund job portal.
stellenwerk TU Dortmund Jobportal
Internships abroad
An internship abroad is the perfect way to not only build intercultural and soft skills but also to gain new impulses for the future career. An internship is best for those students who have already reached a certain academic level and can apply their theoretical knowledge to everyday work situations. The International Office supports students during the internship search and especially with scholarships for internships abroad.
Student jobs and voluntary work
Working student jobs and voluntary activities can also provide valuable experience and should not be underestimated when applying for a job. Here you can train and demonstrate transferable skills. Likewise, non-skilled part-time jobs may offer the opportunity to gather valuable skills and to prove them in case of an application.
You can find part-time jobs, for example, in the stellenwerk TU Dortmund job portal!
Find working student and part-time jobs in the stellenwerk TU Dortmund University job portal!
stellenwerk TU Dortmund University job portal
Gaining key competences
Key competences can be decisive in job applications. Employers are paying more and more attention to interdisciplinary skills in addition to professional qualifications and practical experience. The TU Dortmund University offers various opportunities to expand one's own skill set.
Good German and foreign language skills are an important building block for entering professional life. The foreign languages section at the zhb of TU Dortmund University offers students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of various languages. In addition to courses at different levels, students can also take advantage of the learning counseling, the language lab or the offer of a language tandem to improve their language skills independently.
Language courses at TU Dortmund University
Professional presentations and confident writing are common requirements in many fields of work. Therefore, train yourself to present facts convincingly already during your studies. The writing lab w.space of the zhb Foreign Languages Department offers individual writing and presentation advice for German and English to support you in this.
Presenting and writing professionally
Students and doctoral candidates of TU Dortmund University can acquire a certificate in writing consulting in the writing lab w.space of the zhb foreign language department and, subsequently, constructively support other students in the writing process. During the training, they learn writing and consulting skills that are also of great advantage for later professional life.
Writing consultant training
The certificate programs "Academia & Research" and "Management & Leadership" optimally prepare doctoral students for their career after the doctorate.
The certificates offer the advantage of a structured preparation for future career paths and the acquisition of suitable interdisciplinary competences already during the doctorate. In addition, you can use the certificate in applications to signal your commitment to potential employers.
Career certificates for doctoral students
