You want to earn some money while studying or get first job experience? You want to start your career after graduation in Germany? Get to know everything about job and career!
There are many possibilities to earn money during your studies. You can find job ads on the “Schwarzes Brett” (notice board) on campus or on your university’s website. Knowing German can significantly increase your chances of finding a part-time job. Make sure to comply with the legal regulations stipulating how much you’re allowed to work.
An ideal way to supplement your studies is to take a job at an institute, library or other facility at your university. Waiting on tables in cafés and pubs is a typical student job. Other students accompany visitors at trade fairs, work as delivery drivers or cycle couriers, or take on odd jobs cleaning, babysitting, working in copy shops, etc. Your chances at finding a job will increase significantly if you know how to speak German.
As you begin looking for a job, check out the “Schwarze Bretter” which are large notice boards with lots of information, centrally located at the university, libraries or supermarkets. There are job-finding services for students at many universities as well. For more information, contact your Studentenwerk or the Federal Employment Agency in your city.
Students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. How much you earn in a part-time job largely depends on your prior knowledge, the region and the branch, in which you’d like to work. In general, students can earn around 9 – 10 Euro per hour i.e. Approx. 150 – 200 euro per week
In larger, more expensive cities like Munich, Hamburg or Cologne, you can earn more money, but you also have to pay more for rent and food. While cashiers in the supermarket or at fast-food restaurants earn around six euros per hour, you can make up to ten euros per hour working in an office or as promoter. Whatever you decide to do, remember that it’s almost impossible to earn your living with a part-time job during your studies!