Student Trainee

Strictly speaking, a working student position is a part-time student job. The term has two definitions: On the one hand, it means the "working student privilege", a special regulation in social security law where students and employers only have to pay pension insurance contributions under certain conditions. On the other hand, it refers to an activity that is related to the content of the study programme. So when companies talk about "working student positions", they can mean different things. However, both can apply at the same time.

As a working student, you can definitely earn a living while you study. But there are other advantages to working as a student trainee - especially if both definitions apply at the same time:

Advantages of a working student position [1]

• In addition to the theory you learn during your studies, you can also gain practical experience that fits in with the curriculum.
• There is often good pay (around €1,000 per month, depending on the company and location). In addition, apart from pension insurance, there are no social security contributions ("working student privilege").
• You then have a good chance of getting a job immediately after graduation and gaining initial insights into your future employer (professional experience also makes you very attractive to other companies).
• Contacts in the business world

Requirements for working students [2]

• During the lecture period, you work up to 20 hours a week for the company.
• During the semester break, you usually work full-time.
• The thesis should be written on a topic that also offers the company new insights and advantages.
• The application and selection processes are quite time-consuming due to the high demand. Sometimes the jobs are only available with connections.

In your application, your desire for practical experience should not be your only argument. After all, that's what everyone who applies wants. The structure and content of your application as a working student should be the same as for a traineeship.

Detailed information can be found on the website of the German Student Union (Deutsches Studentenwerk) on the privilege of working as a student trainee.

Please note: If you are receiving student grants (Bafög), find out beforehand about the approved amount of your additional income! BAFöG Office

[1] Vgl.Karrierebibel.de: https://karrierebibel.de/bewerbung-werkstudent/

[2] Vgl.Karrierebibel.de: https://karrierebibel.de/bewerbung-werkstudent/