iStart Career Program for International Students

The University of Bonn offers the iStart career program for international students as part of the “NRWege Leuchttürme” grant program of the MKW NRW.

iStart teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany. The program is geared toward giving you a successful career path both during and after your studies and thus making it easier for you to enter the job market.

Participation in the program is free. The program is conducted in English.

All international students can access the following services:

• Selected events and career counseling
• Grammar check of application documents written in German or English
• iStart podcasts and explanatory videos 
• Lists of current vacancies and useful information

Go online to register for events and make use of services.

Alongside the services that are available to students at any time to help them make their own preparations, we also organize an Intensive Career Program every semester, which is made up of three consecutive blocks:

• Orientation: in this block, you will learn about the German job market and how to create your own career profile in group and individual coaching sessions.
• Networking: meet international university graduates and local companies and make valuable contacts for getting on the career ladder further down the line.
• Application: this block will teach you how to apply for jobs. You will be able to get your application documents reviewed in a one-to-one coaching session.

We have also arranged a special bonus for active participants: a professional photoshoot for your applications!

You will be able to participate in our intensive career program if you:

• Study at the University of Bonn
• Come from outside Germany

Please note that only a limited number of spots are available. Application for the winter semester 2024/25 is open from September, 01 until October 06, 2024.

Has the deadline already passed?  Make use of the services that are available to students at any time to help them make their own preparations, as these run independently of the intensive career program. A new round of the program will begin next semester.

You can also contact the Career Service at the University of Bonn. The Career Service is the first place students should go if they have any questions about career guidance or starting a career.

You can use our network to find suitable interns for your organization:

• We will add your internship listing to our internship and volunteer position database.
• Based on the criteria you specify, we will identify the right candidate from the applications we receive.
• You in turn will be presented with an intern you can trust to do the job right. Should the candidate not fit for whatever reason, we will offer alternatives.
• Throughout the internship, we will serve as a contact for both you and our intern.

Our company visit program gives you the chance to make yourself known to future graduates – and hence potential employees – in a targeted way.

At the same time, the events are designed to allow our international students to learn more about individual companies and begin building a network of contacts in the world of work. You are thus giving the students the opportunity to look “behind the scenes” and learn more about various fields of activity and what they need in order to work at your company.

Interested? Feel free to contact Kristina Khrul at any time for more information.