Understanding School in Germany

18.5
Networking is important,
even for your child’s education and career.
It used to be that people said ”making contacts”, but today people also say
”networking” (Netzwerke). Networking is very important. You may find
this good or bad, however, it is a fact that almost half of all apprenticeships
or training positions are filled through networking and recommendations
from friends or acquaintances. According to studies conducted in Germany,
this applies especially to small and medium size companies.
Networks can be very different. Take a look in your address book or take
10 minutes and write down all the names of acquaintances, friends, family
members, and neighbours that you know. Perhaps you will be astonished
about how many people you know.
What can you do?
1. Visit the career information centre (Berufsinformationszentrum – BIZ)
or another information and consultation centre in your area with your
child and collect information about various occupations.
2. Make sure that your child attends important appointments, for example
for career counselling. Perhaps you could accompany your child?
3. Talk with teachers and social education workers who are responsible for
providing education and career guidance at your child’s school.
4. Attend job and career events organised at the school.
5. Attend job and career events organised outside of the school together
with your child: education and job fairs, open houses, Girls’ and Boys’
Day, visits to companies, etc.
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