Careers
German as a Career Language
Your knowledge of German opens up many career opportunities. Aside from our pledge that the German Program at Colby will contribute to your personal and intellectual growth – after all, the more you know in-depth about other cultures and languages, the more likely you will be able to lead an interesting and self-aware life – knowing German can help you find a job in countless fields (see: German-American Chamber of Commerce).The are German-specific fields and others that will look at your credentials more carefully because of your other strength in German, for example, if you are a double major or choose German as a Minor:
foreign service officer, librarian, hotel administrator, nurse, physician, lobbyist, translator or interpreter, customs official, intelligence analyst, agricultural advisor, environmentalist, consultant
web-site design, engineer, oceanographer, chemist, consultant, geologist, cartographer, geneticist, bio-physicist, biochemist, energy researcher, astrophysicist, ITS specialist
foreign correspondent, reporter, filmmaker, translator, interpreter, publisher, literary agent, PR agent
language and literature teacher, science and social science teacher, historian, sociologist, research librarian, musicologist, educational travel specialist
banker, international lawyer, export manager, overseas sales representative, fashion buyer, bilingual administrator, marketing analyst, international consultant, stock
Opportunities in German
Click on any of these links and a world of opportunities will open up for you. Read the descriptions carefully, sometimes foreign nationals are eligible, sometimes not. Pay attention to deadlines. If it is too late for this year, start preparing for next year. For general information consult DavisConnects.
Seniors and recent graduates may apply for the 86 full grants available for study and research at a German university, as well as for the 80 assistantships that place recipients in German high schools to assist in teaching English and American Studies. A number of Colby German majors and minors have been awarded teaching assistantships in recent years. Professor Kimberly Besio is the Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA) for Colby and enrolled students MUST apply through her. The application deadline is October 1.
The Austrian Ministry of Education offers up to 70 teaching assistantships in all nine Austrian provinces. Although administered by the Austrian Fulbright Commission, this is not a part of the Fulbright Program and recipients do not carry the Fulbright title. Deadline for RECEIPT of applications in Vienna is February 15. Contact Professor Kimberly Besio at Colby for more information.
A generous scholarship for students of German with an interest in Political Science. So far, two Colby students have successfully applied and spent an extraordinary year in the German political arena. Deadline February 1.
The “Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst” (German Academic Exchange Service) has an office in New York. Look at their website and open the link “I am an Undergraduate”. You will get to an overview of short- and long-term study and internship opportunities and financial support for study trips. A Colby senior financed a German language course at the Goethe-Institut in Berlin with one of the DAAD grants.
The “Carl Duisberg Society”, located in New York, originated in the “Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft”, Cologne, Germany. Browse their website and don’t be discouraged by their service fees or other costs they mention. It is worth it. One of our students went back to Germany after graduation, landed a job and used the services of CDS to get a work permit. The internships they promote are substantial and a great way to find out about a career path.
These very prestigious scholarships are administered by the “Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation.” Even though they are of interest to the more advanced academic, it’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with their offerings.
An impressive organization that promotes research for Americans in Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern European countries. Something to keep in mind for the future.
Familiarize yourself with the activities of the “Atlantik-Brücke” in Berlin. Write to them to find out about the “Young Leaders Program” or the availability of an internship in their Berlin office.
When you open this site go to “Career Opportunities” to find out about jobs and internships.
This link gives you access to the “about.com” network in English. Click on Careers/Jobs and you will find a wealth of information on how to go about searching for a job in Germany.
The “Jobticket” site is in German, but easy to use, because all you have to do is to click on the name/icon of the company you are interested in and you can access information about the company’s career services.
Follow the “tips” that are provided at the bottom of the page: “Richtig bewerben.”