Self-reflection is about answering two questions:

1. who am I?
2. what do I want?

Why are the answers to these questions so important for your career planning? For one very simple reason: you are likely to spend a large part of your life in your future job. That sounds daunting? It isn't if you have a job you enjoy and are successful at. This means that if you work on your projects and topics with passion and motivation in your later job, you will benefit from it and so will your future employer.

By choosing your course of study, you have already set the first course in your career planning. But even during your studies, you can still make many decisions and set thematic priorities that will bring you closer to your desired profession. So you should start thinking early in your studies about where you want your career path to take you and how you will get there. But how do you find the answers to the above questions?

1. self-assessment:

First comes the proverbial look in the mirror: self-assessment. Assessing yourself critically and realistically is not easy. But it is worth the effort. The knowledge gained from this examination will help you find the profession that suits you and your talents. So, think about what your strengths and weaknesses are. What interests you - and what doesn't? Imagine what you could achieve professionally and how you want to get there.

2. external assessment:

The second step is about how others assess you: Ask parents, siblings, friends, fellow students and lecturer for their feedback. Where do they see your strengths and talents? In the best case, this external assessment matches your own assessment - then you are positively encouraged in your desired profession. However, it can also deviate from this. However, you should not let this discourage you. On the contrary, use the feedback to reflect on your own assessment from a different point of view.
If you now know which career path you would like to take, use step three.

3. exchange with experts:

If possible, seek out conversations with experts. In other words, talk to people who are already working in your dream job. This gives you the chance to already learn as much as possible about the profession and everyday working life. You can ask questions and already get an idea of what to expect one day.

If you then reach the point where you say: I would also like to do that, you can already start to develop in this direction quite specifically during your studies.

For example by

• choosing your focus,

• working student jobs,

• internships or

• the thematic focus of your thesis.

No matter whether you would like to earn some extra money while studying, want to gain your first practical experience, or are looking for a practice-related topic for your thesis: In our job board you will find a variety of opportunities to gain initial work experience and orientation.

You are already one step ahead and have already applied for an internship or an entry-level position? Then use our 5 tips on how to succeed in a job interview and learn how to convince with an authentic appearance and confident answers.

I wish you every success on your career path!