Internships in Germany
While you are studying towards your degree is the best time to start taking the first steps towards your post-university career. Internships have become an integral part of university study. Practical experience in various industries and fields of activity will give you a better idea of what you want to do and boost your employability at the same time.
For internships in Germany, it is recommended that you start looking at least three, ideally even six months before the desired start. The ZKK will be happy to support you with information, job advertisements or personal consultations in your search for a suitable internship.
In addition, numerous career events, workshops and talks offered as part of the Berufe im Profil series will offer you further opportunities to get to know companies directly and in a relaxed atmosphere. You will find the current events in our programme overview.
In today’s world of work, it is not enough to have the technical expertise; you also need to have a number of different key skills. Find out more about the wide range of seminars offered by the ZKK in order to expand your skill-set during your studies.
Careers portal
The careersUP careers portal of the Centre for Careers and Competencies offers you a comprehensive overview of current internships – including ones that are specifically tailored to your programme. Would you like to get regular updates about the latest offers? Then subscribe to daily notifications of new suitable vacancies in the profile settings. Further information can also be found on the jobs boards of other providers.
Internship guide for Lower Bavaria (German)
The internship guide (Praktikumsführer Niederbayern) includes a list of companies in the Passau area that regularly offer internships and part-time jobs. Although the list may not be exhaustive, it will help you to identify potential employers.
The statutory minimum wage in Germany is EUR 9.35 per hour (as of 1 January 2020).
Employees aged 18 or above are entitled to the minimum wage. Interns can be entitled to the statutory minimum wage, but there are limitations: no minimum-wage entitlement exists for internships that are required as part of your degree programme (i.e. compulsory internships); similarly, voluntary internships of less than three months in duration do not fall under the minimum-wage law.
However, voluntary internships of a duration of more than three months are covered by the minimum-wage law. This is cumulative: if you have previously done an internship at the same employer, you are entitled to the minimum wage if both internships together lasted three months or more.
If your employment is solely focused on your bachelor's dissertation or master's thesis project, you are not entitled to the statutory minimum wage.
Further information on the topic is available from the website of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (in German)
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