19.3 Work Experience and Internships

• In the German context, what is work experience referred to as?

  Praktikum
• Longer, more formal internships in Germany are called Ferpraktikum
• The main difference between a Praktikum and a Ferpraktikum lies in their duration and structure.
• A Ferpraktikum is often part of vocational training
• What is one of the main benefits of work experience or internships for students?

  Hands-on experience
• A Praktikum in a kindergarten can help a student gain experience in childcare before becoming a teacher.
• Match the reason for undertaking work experience with its German translation:

  Gain work experience ↔️ Berufserfahrung sammeln

  Apply knowledge ↔️ Kenntnisse anwenden

  Make contacts ↔️ Kontakte knüpfen

  Test suitability ↔️ Eignung testen
• Networking with professionals during an internship can open future career opportunities
• Both Praktika and Ferpraktika provide students with hands-on experience in a professional setting.
• What type of work experience involves a placement in a factory or manufacturing setting?

  Industrial Work Experience
• A structured program in an office or firm is called a Professional Internship.
• Order the benefits of work experience and internships for career development.

  1️⃣ Gaining practical skills

  2️⃣ Enhancing job market prospects

  3️⃣ Networking

  4️⃣ Developing professional etiquette
• What is one way work experience enhances job market prospects?

  Makes résumé more attractive
• Work experience helps students develop professional etiquette
• What are the primary benefits of work experience and internships for career development?

  Gain skills, enhance job prospects
• Work experience allows you to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting
• Experience makes your résumé more attractive to employers.
• What is one important outcome of networking during work experience?

  Building professional connections
• Work experience helps you develop professional etiquette
• Interning at a marketing firm can teach you how to create successful advertising campaigns.
• Match the German term with its English translation:

  Praktikum ↔️ Work experience

  Ferpraktikum ↔️ Internship
• What is the typical duration of a Praktikum (work experience) in Germany?

  1-4 weeks
• A Ferpraktikum (internship) in Germany often involves more formal structure
• A Praktikum in a kindergarten is an example of hands-on experience before studying to be a teacher.
• Order the common reasons for students to undertake work experience or internships in Germany:

  1️⃣ Berufserfahrung sammeln (gain work experience)

  2️⃣ Kenntnisse anwenden (apply knowledge)

  3️⃣ Kontakte knüpfen (make contacts)

  4️⃣ Eignung testen (test suitability)
• Match the type of work experience with its description:

  Industrial Work Experience ↔️ Practical placement in a factory

  Professional Internship ↔️ Structured program in an office

  Volunteer Experience ↔️ Unpaid work for a charity

  Summer Internship ↔️ Short-term position during summer
• Enhancing job market prospects is a key benefit of work experience because it makes your résumé more attractive
• Developing professional etiquette involves learning workplace norms and communication.
• What are two common job search websites used in Germany?

  StepStone, Jobstairs
• When preparing your application in Germany, you need a Lebenslauf (CV) and a Motivationsschreiben (cover letter
• Applying directly to a company's website is a valid method for finding work experience in Germany.
• What are three platforms that can be used to find work experience or internships in Germany?

  StepStone, Jobstairs, LinkedIn
• Steps to search and apply for work experience or internships in Germany

  1️⃣ Identify job search websites

  2️⃣ Prepare your application

  3️⃣ Apply directly to company websites
• A Motivationsschreiben is a cover letter written in German.
• To prepare your application, you need to create a Lebenslauf, which translates to CV in English.
• What does the German term Praktikum mean in English?

  Work experience
• How can you use the term Praktikum in a sentence?

  Ich habe ein Praktikum in einem Krankenhaus gemacht
• Match the German vocabulary with their English equivalents:

  Praktikum ↔️ Work experience

  Ferpraktikum ↔️ Internship

  Berufserfahrung ↔️ Job experience
• The German term Berufserfahrung translates to work experience in English.
• What is the English translation of the German term Praktikant?

  Intern