You did it! You completed your (first) degree.
Congratulations on achieving this milestone!
What now? Go on to collect work experience right away or enroll in a master’s or doctoral program at your alma mater?
There are a lot of possibilities – we will briefly present the different options:
Have you earned your bachelor’s degree and would like to consolidate your knowledge, continue researching, or expand your career options?
(Consecutive) master’s degree programs offer specialization in your field and lead to an additional university degree qualifying you for entry into a profession.
Are you already in the professional world but would like to earn further qualifications and acquire new knowledge?
If so, one of our continuing education degree programs could be just right for you.
Lifelong learning is one of JGU’s core responsibilities.
The Center for Lifelong Learning offers seminars, qualifying programs, and advanced training programs conveying information from the latest research findings in a practical manner.
The Studying at 50+ and the guest student program can also be found here (in German).
Are you already employed as a teacher and would like to teach an additional subject or teach at a different type of school? You can do that!
Information on how can be found on the Teacher Training Center website (in German).
For the last few years, JGU was your home. Now you’re done and your next big step is leaving your alma mater and transitioning to a profession. JGU is happy to support you with this, as well.
Your first contact point: JGU’s Career Service!
Sending out applications and starting your first job can be exciting and challenging.
How do I search for suitable jobs? How do I write a convincing application? And how do I prepare myself for a job interview?
Good thing JGU’s Career Service is ready to help you with these questions and more!
You can get answers from the Career Service in the form of presentations and workshops, job fairs and career events, advising and coaching, as well as application material checks.
Ready to leave the university and take the leap to self-employment?
Would you like to build on your vision and knowledge to create your own company and set new standards with innovative ideas?
JGU’s Startup Center offers advice on everything from developing your business model to funding opportunities for founders and startups and assists you with funding applications.
As a graduate, you generally cannot claim unemployment benefits in the form of Arbeitslosengeld I (a specific type of unemployment benefits). Therefore, you do not have to register right away that you are seeking employment. You are free to use the advising and placement offers of the Agentur für Arbeit (German unemployment agency) if you wish but are not required to.
Did you know? The Agentur für Arbeit Mainz recommends registering as seeking employment three months prior to the end of your degree program in order to be able to offer early support in your transition to a profession. You can do so online via www.arbeitsagentur.de or by calling the national service hotline +49 800 4 5555 00 (all calls made within Germany to the hotline are free of charge).
How, when, and where can I register as unemployed?
Option I: Register with the Agentur für Arbeit as unemployed with no claim to unemployment benefits
Even if you do not have a claim to Arbeitslosengeld I, you can register as employed in person at theAgentur für Arbeit where you live. Among other stipulations, you may no longer be enrolled at a university and also cannot be working 15 or more hours per week, even in a temporary capacity.
Periods of unemployment are reported to the pension insurance provider and can be counted as non-contributory credit periods. Periods in which you are only registered as seeking employment are not counted.
The service center employees will answer any questions about registering as unemployed or seeking employment under the above-mentioned hotline.
Option II: Register with the Job Center as unemployed and receive Arbeitslosengeld II
You can find out whether you fulfill the necessary requirements for receiving Arbeitslosengeld II at the Job Center where you live. You can reach the Mainz Job Center by calling +49 6131 88 08 0.
If you have a passion for research, teaching, and the exchange of knowledge, an academic career offers plenty of opportunities for pursuing your goals.
For example, you have the option of staying at the university as a postdoc or academic staff member after you finish your doctorate.
Are you so enthusiastic about what you learned during your program of study that you would like to carry out an independent research project, research new scientific results, and write a dissertation?
Earning a doctorate is the first qualification on your way to an academic career.
Would you like to take your academic career to the next level?
As a postdoctoral researcher at JGU, you can conduct research in an inspiring environment, collaborate with international and interdisciplinary teams, and potentially play a role in groundbreaking discoveries.
Mentoring programs, qualifying programs, and coaching sessions support you along your way.
Preliminary information on how to become a (junior) professor can be found on the “young researchers and artists” website.
You are still a part of JGU even after you leave.
Your time at our university may be over, but the memories remain – as does much more. You can stay in contact with your alma mater through the alumni network and take advantage of its varied networking opportunities and events.
