Career fair in Pforzheim: On a date with the future

Pforzheim. She just finds time a bit short. But that’s the only thing Esmeralda had to complain about. “It’s nice that you can talk and get information here in a relaxed atmosphere,” says the 17-year-old. She and the other young people each have half an hour on Wednesday morning to get to know various companies that are presenting at the career fair in the sports hall of the Ludwig Erhard School in Pforzheim (LES).

The training and internship fair is taking place there for the third time, where companies and students can talk to each other and make important contacts for their future careers. A total of 25 regional companies from various sectors as well as public institutions are represented with their stands.

“It’s a diverse mix and there’s something for every student.”

Kai Sandersupervising teacher at the junior company Local Expo Services.

The junior company organized the event for a total of 1,000 students from the LES, the Johanna Wittum School and the Alfons Kern School. “Many people get an internship or a training position here,” emphasizes Sander.

Directly at the school without an appointment

For him, the low-threshold approach is a big plus point. Ultimately, many young people lack guidance as to where they could apply. With this type of speed dating without an appointment directly at school, they had the opportunity to get to know different areas. “The fact that most companies and institutions have young representatives or trainees at their stands is a further advantage in terms of getting into conversation quickly and on an equal footing,” says Sander. Companies also appreciate the trade fair and would like to come again and again.

The students Lya and Zena already know that they want to do something commercial. Together with their friends, they take the opportunity to get a taste of different industries and get information about training and dual studies. “It’s good that this is taking place here at the school,” they say.

From theory to practice

And it’s not just students looking for a training or internship that benefit. Organizing the trade fair is also extremely educational for the members of the junior company Local Expo Services. Ultimately, they immerse themselves in event management. “Here they can apply what they learn in business or economics classes in practice,” says their supervising teacher Sander.