Don’t Want to End up Driving a Taxi?

For those not interested in working in research or teaching, or for anyone who wishes to qualify for a diverse range of positions in the private sector it is a good idea to start collecting valuable experience while you are still studying.

Let’s start with the most important tip: don’t wait too long. Even in the first semester you can chose from any number of courses on offer – as soon as you have found your feet and have enough time that is. The later you get started, the less time you will have to try things out. Of course, you main priority at university is to learn and improve your knowledge, but by doing this you will also get to know yourself better, particularly which ways of working and fields of employment interest you the most.

Various courses offered at the University of Stuttgart can help you to expand your interdisciplinary knowledge. A simple and effective way of doing this is taking part in key skills courses; these are normally included in your study plan anyway. As a humanities student, such courses offer you the opportunity to register for subjects that do not necessarily concentrate on humanities subjects. Be bold and register for business or technical seminars.

And if you don’t get accepted it is worth going to the first session anyway, because lots of participants don’t turn up, despite confirming their registration, so it is possible that there will be a free space after all. And don’t forget: the key skills courses are not graded, you don’t have to pass, so it’s not a problem to register for something other than your usual subject area.

It’s Fun to Get Involved!

Another way of gaining new skills while at university is to study a foreign language. As well as the usual languages on offer, such as English, Spanish and French, the language center also offers courses that focus on Arabic, Chinese, Esperanto, Dutch, Polish, Swedish or Turkish. A knowledge of different languages might be useful if you want to apply for a job at an international company.

Learning new languages is well worth the effort.

Taking part in university programs can also be a lot of fun. Be a buddy, a mentor or language partner; this also looks good on job applications and shows that you are committed and sociable. Taking part in such programs, helps you not only to get to know other cultures and languages, it also shows that you are willing to take on responsibility and that you have good communication skills. Spending a semester or more abroad demonstrates that you have good organizational skills and are open for new experiences.

Choose Your Master’s Course Wisely

Participating in one of the university’s many groups and organizations can give you valuable skills. Whether you want to join the debate club or promote sustainability, at university you have the opportunity not only to forge new contacts, but also to deepen your knowledge and learn new skills. Getting involved in course-specific groups for your degree program, various working groups at the Students’ Representative Council (stuvus), or join the student parliament. All of these can all have a positive effect on future employers.

Those who want to be even better prepared for the world of work after completing their Bachelor’s degree can also study for a Master’s degree; but make sure you choose your subject wisely. For example, the Master’s degree program Digital Humanities at the University of Stuttgart combines humanities subjects with computer science.

Of course, you can also gain experience and knowledge simply by spending more time in the library, or by having a part-time job at the university. The opportunities are endless and there are lots of chances to get involved in subjects that aren’t directly related to your degree course. Use this opportunity to build up a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge; this will be of huge benefit in the future.

Anna