International Office

Bridge2Success Past Events

Bridge2Success is here to empower international students with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to navigate the German job market and build successful careers. From career fairs to specialized workshops and coaching series, we provide tailored opportunities to help you explore job prospects, connect with potential employers, and gain valuable insights into German workplace culture. Check out our past events.

Career Fair: Unternehmenstag 2024

The Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Career Fair, held on 13th & 14th November 2024 at Campus Sankt Augustin, provided a chance to connect with 150 companies over two days. The event featured lectures and coaching sessions on career development and job applications.

Bridge2Success (B2S) and iStark offered resources for international students. Highlights included Suzan Scheffen’s lecture, “Fachkräftemangel: A Chance for Me?” on 13th November at 11:00 (Room A102). Individual consultations and interview training were also available.

Career Fair: ENGAGEMENT WELTWEIT 2024

ENGAGEMENT WELTWEIT took place on 23rd November 2024 in Siegburg, connecting visitors with leading organizations in international development and humanitarian aid. The fair included lectures, panel discussions, and exhibitions, offering insights into careers both abroad and in Germany.

Bridge2Success sponsored 20 international students interested in this sector.

B2S Job Coaching Series

Bridge2Success offered a four-module Job Coaching Series for international students to explore the German job market and workplace culture:

  1. Understanding the German Job Market
    • Date: 21st November 2024, 16:00-18:00
    • Topics: German economic sectors, workplace culture, and opportunities.
  2. German Style Resume and Application Essentials
    • Date: 22nd November 2024, 16:00-18:00
    • Topics: Creating German-style resumes, cover letters, and navigating job portals.
  3. Mastering the Interview
    • Date: 4th December 2024, 16:00-18:00
    • Topics: Interview preparation, self-presentation, and salary negotiation.
  4. Introduction to the Assessment Center
    • Date: 5th December 2024, 16:00-18:00
    • Topics: Understanding assessment centers and improving key skills like teamwork and leadership.

Workshop: Self-Employment in Germany – Legal, Tax, and Financial Basics

This 4-hour workshop focused on legal, tax, and financial foundations for self-employment in Germany. Participants:

  • Understood legal distinctions between freelance and commercial activities.
  • Learned tax obligations, including income tax and VAT.
  • Explored financing options like loans, grants, and venture capital.

Trainer: Kerstin Schickendanz, Expert in Entrepreneurship Education.

SKILLS Workshops Self-Management & Resilience 

This was two full-day trainings on campus on 27 and 28 November with external trainers where 30 students enrolled and were trained on self-management and resilience as they pursue their studies.

Webinar: Your Career in Germany – Navigating the German Job Market

In this 2-hour webinar, students gained valuable insights into the current developments in the German job market and why Germany needs global talents to grow. Participants discovered the top three challenges faced when applying for English-speaking jobs, how to identify the common mistakes made during the job application process and explored effective methods to increase chances of landing interviews for desired positions. Additionally, they familiarized themself with the local hiring process and cultural nuances.

Trainer: Nevana Paesler, Independent Consultant and Coach

Date and Time: 2nd December 2024

On-site employer visit to DZNE

Next Stop: This was an on-site employer visit at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) that took place on Dec 3, 2024, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm

The participants got a close look at one of Germany's leading research institutes focused on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and more.

They learnt from PhD students about their experiences and career paths, with a Q&A session that addressed questions form the students. The students also visited the BradkeLab to observe ongoing experiments and discuss current projects with scientists.

This visit was open to students in biology, medicine, computer science, mathematics, physics, social sciences, health care, nursing, health economics, and public health. 

Alumni-Student Career Networking Event

At this exclusive event, six international graduates of H-BRS who are now working in companies and organizations in Germany shared their experiences with international students and young graduates and answered their questions.

The event addressed topics such as how to successfully apply for a promising position in Germany, the role an international background plays, the advantages it offers, and the potential disadvantages to anticipate. It also discussed the experiences students should gain early on, what "typical German" employers expect, the importance of German and other language skills, and how to handle formalities like mandatory insurance.