Navigating Your Future: Q&A with the Career Development Office

As a Hertie School student, your academic journey goes hand-in-hand with your professional development — something our Career Development team is here to support you with. In this post, you’ll get to know the team, how they can support you during your studies, and their advice for setting yourself up for success from day one. 

Q: Hello! Can you start by introducing your office and provide an overview of services available to students when they arrive on campus?

A: We’re excited to introduce you to the Career Development Office at the Hertie School. Our team of three — Catherine Flynn, Anne Macauley, and Fareen Shaikh — brings a diverse and international perspective to career support. With backgrounds in HR, coaching, psychology, program management and career development, we provide students with well-rounded guidance to navigate the job market. As a British, Indian, and German team, we understand the challenges of an international career journey and offer tailored advice to help students approach their job search from multiple perspectives. Whether it's career coaching, networking strategies, or skill-building, we’re here to support you every step of the way! 

Here are some of our offerings: 

• Career Coaching: We provide individualized sessions to assist with a range of career questions from CV and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, career planning, and decision-making processes. We can also provide further insights into the German job market and ways to look for employment opportunities. 
• Workshops and Career Fairs: Our office hosts a variety of workshops, including self-assessment sessions and Career Bootcamps, designed to equip students with essential job market skills. We also host Hertie’s annual career fair, bringing together employers from the public, private, and third sectors in the Berlin job market to connect with our students and alumni. In collaboration with our Centres of Competence, we facilitate additional networking events, providing valuable opportunities for students to engage directly with employers, hiring managers, as well as Hertie Alumni who want to open opportunities to the next generation of students and graduates. 
• Mentoring Programme: This initiative connects students with alumni and professionals across various sectors, fostering mutual learning and inspiration. 
• Career Spotlights: Students have the opportunity to engage with alumni and professionals from diverse industries, gaining insights into specific fields and career advice.

Q: Many students are concerned about language barriers impacting their internship or job search — how realistic is it to find an internship or job in Berlin (or Germany) with little or no German?

A: While there are international organizations, NGOs, and multinational companies in Germany that operate in English, the broader job market often requires at least a B1 level of German proficiency. Demonstrating a willingness to learn the language can significantly improve job prospects, particularly for roles outside international environments. At the Hertie School, we support students in their language learning journey by offering funding for further German education if they already have a B1 proficiency level in their first year. It’s always beneficial to start learning German before moving to Berlin, as this allows students to practice and build their skills more effectively once they arrive and shows companies their commitment to living and working in Germany. 

Q: What percentage of Hertie students pursue the Professional Year, and what are the biggest benefits of doing one?

A: Participation rates may vary by cohort and year, but on average a quarter to a third of students opt to do a Professional Year. The Professional Year is an optional program that allows students to gain 9 to 15 months of full-time work experience between their first and second years of study. It provides a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, expand professional networks, and often collaborate with host organizations on master’s thesis projects. Many students also successfully transition their Professional Year placements into full-time job roles upon graduation. 

Q: What are some common mistakes students make in their job or internship search, and how can they avoid them?

A: Firstly, not knowing their options is fairly common. Networking can really help with this as it can not only increase your odds of securing a job in Berlin, but it also allows you to gain valuable insights which ultimately help you make more informed career decisions. Building strong professional connections and leveraging the Hertie alumni community can provide valuable insights into the job market and open up new opportunities. 

The second most common mistake is not tailoring their application documents. This is a must! Companies want to see a genuine interest in this role with their company from candidates. Generic CVs and cover letters are never going to be able to convey that and they are one of the most common reasons for candidate rejections. Researching the company, understanding the job advert and then tailoring your application documents accordingly can hugely increase your odds of success on the job market.

Q: What’s one thing you wish every student knew about Career Development at Hertie before they arrive?

A: One thing we wish every student knew about Career Development at Hertie before they arrive is that career planning should start early — even before your first semester begins. The job market in Berlin and beyond is competitive, and students who take a proactive approach by engaging with our career services, attending workshops, and building their professional networks by engaging with alumni from the start have a significant advantage.

Q: What events or workshops should incoming students make sure not to miss in their first semester?

A: Your first stop should be our “Meet the Career Development Team” session, which takes place 2 – 3 weeks after Welcome Week. In this session, you’ll not only meet the team but also learn how you can access the full range of our services, including our career platform, career workshops, networking events, and 1:1 coaching sessions. Armed with this information, you’ll never miss out on support from the Career Development Office!

If you have any further questions about how the Career Development team can support you in your professional development, please feel welcome to contact them directly at careerdevelopment[at]hertie-school[dot]org.