Career Orientation: What comes after school?

After school, your child has to decide on a career, but many young people are spoiled for choice and do not know exactly what they want to do later. We will introduce you to various options that your child has for entering working life after school.

career orientation after school

Shortly before graduating from school, many young people are at a loss when it comes to deciding on a future career. But even during school there are many offers for careers orientation, for example through visits to the careers information center (BiZ) or internships for schoolchildren. It is also important that you as a family discuss this topic and consider the options your child has. You should encourage your child early on to find out where their strengths and weaknesses lie. It doesn’t matter whether it’s manual skills, careful handling of animals or musical talent: special skills should be recognized and encouraged.

If your child needs more detailed information in order to find a dream job, they can also get free advice from the Federal Employment Agency. Private providers also carry out careers advice, which is usually subject to a fee. In this case, you should inquire in advance so that you don’t fall for a dubious offer.

Trial internship after school

If your child is not sure which path they want to take after school, they can apply for a trial internship in a field that interests them. In this way, they can find out for themselves whether the profession meets their expectations. Such internships, which your child can do during the summer holidays or shortly after school, look very good on the CV. Future employers can see that your child has already gained initial experience and can get involved in achieving their goals.

Volunteer service after school

Sometimes it may also make sense not to start an apprenticeship or study directly after school, but to take a break and do something completely different. This way, your child may be able to better understand what they want to do later. It can also gain initial practical experience during voluntary service. Various organizations and sponsors offer a voluntary social or ecological year (FSJ or FSÖ). There is also the state Federal Volunteer Service, which replaces the former civilian service. Your child can get involved in a facility, for example a retirement home, a kindergarten or a workshop for the disabled in the social, ecological or sporting area, for which they receive a small payment.

After school abroad?

A stay abroad after school, similar to a student exchange , makes sense to improve language skills and build independence. If your child wants to go abroad for some time, there are various options. As part of an FSJ, your child can register for a social project abroad. But an internship abroad or a work & travel project are also possible. There are special agencies that arrange places in the desired country. Or your child decides to stay as an au pair, where it lives with a host family, looks after their children and helps around the house.

vocational training after school

If your child wants to take up an apprenticeship, they must apply to a suitable training company. The training then takes place both in this company and in the vocational school. In this way, practical and theoretical knowledge can be imparted at the same time. An apprentice receives an apprenticeship salary that increases with each year of apprenticeship. At the end of the training there is a final exam. After that, there are other options for further training, for example to become a master craftsman or business economist.

studies after school

For an after-school degree, your child must enroll in a university or college. The prerequisite for this is, depending on the course of study, a high school diploma or vocational diploma. If your child is considering studying after school, they can also get information free of charge from the study advice centers of the individual universities which course might suit them.

Additional qualifications after school

In order to increase the chances of finding the desired apprenticeship or job after school, your child should acquire some additional qualifications. In addition to the school education, additional skills and knowledge are helpful for your child to set me apart from the other applicants. Babysitting for the neighbours’ children, getting a driver’s license, helping out in the parents’ business for a week during the school holidays or doing voluntary work in the sports club – all of this makes it clear that your child is showing initiative and has already been able to gain experience in various areas of life.

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