Step by Step - Integration to the German Job Market

At the beginning of your studies or after your first months in Mannheim, we support you in getting in tune with German (working) culture. In intercultural training workshops you can discuss cultural differences, train for possible conflict situations and prepare for different communication situations in everyday student or working life.

STEP by STEP further offers language courses for levels A1.2, A2.1, B1.1, B1.2, and B2.1. All courses focus on communication in the workplace and job-related topics in order to also get your language skills ready for the job market. The German language courses include visits at local companies; these are always a highlight. They give you a fist impression of working life and provide the opportunity to meet potential employers early on.

In cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency Mannheim, we give you an introduction to the most important dos and don’ts of typical application procedures in Germany. We will also provide information on how employment can affect your status of residence and help you to adapt your visa, if necessary.

During the two-day application training workshops, you will learn everything you need to know in order to successfully apply for a job. Even though the workshops are held in English, they focus on German formalities and characteristics in order to prepare you for your career here in Germany. In hands-on group sessions, you can also tweak your application documents and practice important situations such as job interviews or assessment centers.

Once every semester, we invite international alumni who have gained a foothold in the German labor market to speak at the university. In short talks they tell their success stories and are available to answer any questions. You will thus have the opportunity to get useful tips first-hand from people who have once been in the same situation as you and to extend your professional network in a social setting.

We offer regular consultations in cooperation with the CareerNetwork of the University of Mannheim, during which experts from the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) are available to check your application documents. There are English consultations for international students, but you can of course also attend one of the consultations offered in German.
You are also welcome to take advantage of the open consultation hours of the International Office (every Wednesday from 2-5 p.m.) if you have any questions regarding your application documents, upcoming job interviews or issues such as residence permits, visa and the like. 
 

You will learn how to found an enterprise (not only) in Germany. A workshop provides you with the basics of founding a start-up and, subsequently, you will visit one of the Startup Lounges of the MCEI. In a laid-back atmosphere, different start-ups arisen from the University of Mannheim will be presented. Meet other students and creative minds and discuss your experiences and ideas.

Being an international student, do I have to submit a tax declaration? How do I create a tax declaration? When after starting my first job do I have to create this declaration? An experienced tax consultant will provide insight into the German income tax system. You will learn here how and when to create your first tax declaration and can subsequently receive specific answers to your individual questions.