Schlagwort-Archive: Employability

Looking back on an eventful year 2019, literally!

2019 has been a particularly busy year for the UAS7 New York Liaison Office. At the end of the year, we want to look back and seize the opportunity to thank our supporters again – please enjoy the highlights below.

2019 Highlights

Deutschlandjahr USA – The Year of German American Friendship

One of our main activities in 2019 was the Deutschlandjahr. We ran an event series on “Employability (made) in Germany” in five different states in the U.S. At each of these events, a panel of representatives of UAS7 partner universities, companies, UAS7, business organizations as well as alumni discussed “Employability (made) in Germany” opportunities. The five events featured seven high-ranking UAS7 members, nine speakers and moderators from our host universities, 25 representatives of Germany-based companies, six speakers from German American Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations, and three alumni. More than 350 audience members joined us over the course of the series. More information about the events can be found here. Recently, we also shared the five key lessons this experience has taught us.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama

We started out with an event in Huntsville, Alabama on January 30 with colleagues from Bremen City University of Applied Sciences joining us at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Our Employability panel included university administrators and executives, business representatives, an alum, and Michael H. Johnson the Honorary Consul who introduced the event. Nicole Heimann of the German American Chamber of Commerce South moderated. The Alabama-Germany Partnership supported us tremendously here. Thank you to everyone!! Here, you can watch our wonderful video summary of the event:

Speakers and participants: Thomas Trittin, Bremen UAS, Brian Landrum, UA Huntsville, Patrizia Nobbe, UAS7, Mark Becnel, RadioBro Corporation, Justin Lane-Rummer, Bocar US Inc., Albert von Pelser-Berensberg, REHAU Automotive LLC, Kirk Atkinson, abatAdah Group, Inc., & Nicole Heimann, German American Chamber of Commerce, South.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Southern Indiana

Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana

Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the University of Southern Indiana have a long-standing partnership. Our joint “Employability (made) in Germany” event on April 17 drew a large group of students and staff, as well as the German Honorary Consul of Indiana Sven Schumacher who also provided remarks. The Osnabrück and UAS7 delegation were very well received. Highlights included a dinner with the mayor of Evansville and meetings with high-ranking university representatives.

Representatives of Chamber of Industry and Commerce Osnabrück, Osnabrück UAS, UAS7 & USI

NAFSA Annual Conference & GAIN Conference

This summer we also went to the NAFSA and GAIN conferences.

Representatives of the UAS7 Liaison Office together with the President of TH Köln , Stefan Herzig, and International Offices and UAS7 directors and staff at NAFSA. Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Münster University of Applied Sciences, TH Köln & Berlin School of Economics and Law

NAFSA is the largest and most dynamic international education event in the world. In 2019, the conference took place in Washington D.C. from May 26 to 31. UAS7 participated together with colleagues from our member universities. Traditionally, we invited our colleagues and partners to a Partners’ Luncheon on the first day of the conference. NAFSA, once again, was a great networking opportunity, which fostered the exchange with our colleagues and partners.

The GAIN Conference 2019 in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

This year, the GAIN Conference (German Academic International Network) took place in San Francisco from August 23 to 25. Each year, GAIN gathers more than 500 participants who have the opportunity to meet with German scientists, researchers, and stakeholders from politics and industry. UAS7 organized a workshop on „Personal Career Paths“ in cooperation with Hochschulallianz für den Mittelstand and participated in the “Talent Fair” to actively network with German researchers and scientists who are potentially interested in a return to Germany.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at Wichita State University

The Keeper of the Plains in Wichita, Kansas

In fall, our Deutschlandjahr activities picked up steam again. On September 11, 2019 we went to Wichita State University (WSU), a long-term partner of the Berlin School of Economics and Law, in the heart of Kansas. Panelists at our event included UAS7 President Professor Andreas Zaby, President of Berlin School of Economics and Law, speakers from Airbus, Siemens and GACC Midwest, as well as a Professor of Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (and Airbus employee). The event attracted 75 audience members, including high-level staff of Wichita State University. Before the event, we were particularly happy to be able to meet with WSU Interim President Andy Tomkins to talk about opportunities for future collaboration. Thanks to everyone who participated!

The Ambassador’s Initiative: “Science Meets Oktoberfest” in Columbus, Ohio

German Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences invited the Ohio State University community as well as everyone in Columbus, OH, interested in German career options for a fun night out with German education, beer and brats.

Hofbräuhaus in Columbus, Ohio

On the occasion of Deutschlandjahr, the German university liaison offices at the German Haus, led by the University of Cologne and UAS7 offices, celebrated at the Hofbräuhaus in Columbus, Ohio. On a panel for “Science Meets Oktoberfest,” alumni of German universities and universities of applied sciences (two of them from UAS7) described their career paths and discussed the role Germany and German education plays for them today. Thank you everyone for coming out!

Mark E. Peeples, Nationwide Children’s Hospital , Heike Haddenbrock, German Language School Cleveland, Ralf Bundschuh, Ohio State University, Nathanial Long, Ohio State University, Eva Bosbach, University of Cologne, Patrizia Nobbe, UAS7, Jacob Naduparambil, German Academic Exchange Service, Vince Ebert

Employability (made) in Germany” at Clemson University

Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina

The Deutschlandjahr event at Clemson University on October 9 took a different format than the other events. Here we became part of the annual German Professional Business Conference organized by the German Department at Clemson University. TH Köln President Stefan Herzig provided welcoming remarks and Vice President Klaus Kreulich of Munich University of Applied Sciences delivered a keynote address in front of an audience of business representatives and students. The keynote highlighted the role of Universities of Applied Sciences, their model of applied education in Germany, and research and student exchange opportunities.

Executive Director of UAS7 Patrizia Nobbe together with Speakers Klaus Kreulich Munich University of Applied Sciences & Stefan Herzig TH Köln joined the panel discussion with representatives of Adidas, BMW Manufacturing Company, Bosch Rexroth, Context Design Group, Draexlmaier Automotive, Hofmann Services, Human Solutions, IFA Rotorion, Ivannovation Language Management, Robert Bosch & ZF Transmissions

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Pittsburgh

Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Our last “Employability”-stop this year was in Pittsburgh on October 18. The Deutschlandjahr event at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the long-term partners of UAS7 in the United States. Vice President of FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Carsten Schröder, delivered a keynote speech at an event that featured five German companies in the area as well as the German American Chambers of Commerce: both the CEO and President of GACC New York, Dietmar Rieg, and the President of the GACC Pittsburgh Chapter, Rachel Mauer, provided words of welcome.

Arielle Schweber, Jessica Sun, Oksana Stalczynksi, University of Pittsburgh, Carsten Schröder, Münster University of Applied Sciences , Dietmar Rieg, GACC New York & Rachel Mauer, GACC Pittsburgh, and Patrizia Nobbe, UAS7 New York

Wrapping it up with a New York City Sail!

We concluded a year which has been more than “wunderbar” for us with a sailing tour to the Statue of Liberty to enjoy the beautiful landmarks of New York City together with friends and alumni from various universities.


Employability (made) in Germany – Last stop: Pittsburgh!

Our last stop of Employability (made) in Germany brought us to to our partner university the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 18, 2019, for a networking event focusing on Germany-oriented careers. Jessica Sun, University of Pittsburgh, led through the program. Carsten Schröder, Vice President for Knowledge Transfer, Cooperation and Innovation at FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, and Dietmar Rieg and Rachel Mauer, Presidents of the German American Chamber of Commerce in New York and in Pittsburgh delivered the remarks. They each highlighted the transatlantic connections and academic exchange between Germany and the United States.

Five German companies of the Pittsburgh area –Aldi, Covestro, Foerster, Lanxess and Leybold – joined us. They provided all students in the audience with the opportunity to learn about their companies in an intimate setting, talk about internships and career paths. The event included three sessions of rotating roundtable discussions followed by a networking hour. Traditional German snacks from Hofbräuhaus and Penn Brewery were provided to the participants during the event.

With the event at the University of Pittsburgh we concluded our event series “Employability (made) in Germany”, supported by Wunderbar Together, by the German Center for Research and Innovation, by the German American Chambers of Commerce in different areas across the United States and by countless German-rooted companies along the way. We can look back to a successful year of German-American friendship, thanks to the help and support we received from the respective participating institutions.

Please stay tuned for our upcoming key take-aways from the “Employability (made) in Germany” tour 2019!

From left to right: Arielle Schweber, University of Pittsburgh, Patrizia Nobbe, UAS7 New York and Carsten Schröder, FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences in front of the Pittsburgh Panther. Thank you to the University of Pittsburgh!
Photo on Top of the Post: From left to right: Dietmar Rieg, President of the German American Chamber of Commerce New York, Carsten Schröder, Vice President for Knowledge Transfer, Cooperation and Innovation at FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences, Jessica Sun, Exchange Program Manager at Study Abroad Office at the University of Pittsburgh, Patrizia Nobbe, Executive Director of the UAS7 New York Liaison Office, Rachel Mauer, President of the German American Chamber of Commerce Pittsburgh and Lisa Conturo, former UAS7 SIP exchange student and now at the German American Chamber in Pittsburgh also, Oksana Stalczynski, Program Manager at Study Abroad Office, and Arielle Schweber, International Programs Manager at Pittsburgh University of Applied Sciences.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at Clemson University: German Professional Conference

We recently went to South Carolina! At Clemson University we held our fourth event of the Employability (made) in Germany series on October 9, 2019, joined by TH Köln University of Applied Sciences and Munich University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Dr. Stefan Herzig, president of TH Köln, Prof. Dr. Klaus Kreulich, Vice-President of Munich UAS delivered the keynote address at Clemson University’s annual German Professional Conference, this year on the subject of “German Language Study and Your Career: Internships and Study Abroad.” Therefore the keynote addressed opportunities of transatlantic academic exchange and careers at German companies in the States and abroad.

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Klaus Kreulich, Vice-President of Munich University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Patrizia Nobbe, Executive Director of the UAS7 New York Liaison Office and Prof. Dr. Stefan Herzig, president of TH Köln University of Applied Sciences.

Additionally, a wide range of German companies informed about career opportunities. During the Round Table Discussions and Job Fair, attending students had the opportunity to learn about jobs and internships with attending companies as well as study abroad opportunities with UAS7.

I.K. Hofmann USA, Inc. stand in the Hendrix Center Ballrooms at Clemson University

The event was part of the Year of German-American Friendship or DeutschlandjahrWunderbar Together – a collaborative initiative funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institut, and with support from the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Additional support is granted by a variety of sponsors and co-sponsors such as the German Center for Research and Innovation, the NY German American Chamber of Commerce, and of course by regional supporters wherever we go.

Other events took us to Huntsville, Alabama, Evansville, Indiana, Wichita, Kansas and the University of Pittsburgh, where our member universities as well as business & industry partners highlighted internship and study abroad opportunities for U.S. students in Germany.

Round Table Discussions with students and the representing industries Adidas, BMW Manufacturing Group, Bosch Rexroth, Context Design Group, Draexlmaier Automotive, Hofmann Services, Human Solutions, IFA Rotorion, Ivannovation Language Management, Robert Bosch, and ZF Transmissions, which joined the event.

“Employability (Made) In Germany” at Wichita State University

The UAS7 alliance – a network of seven German universities of Applied Sciences – took its most recent Employability (made) in Germany event to Wichita State University (WSU) in Wichita, Kansas, on September 11, 2019. The event is part of a larger project aiming to showcase Germany’s strength in applied education, university-industry collaborations, dual-study programs, and apprenticeships, and to strengthen transatlantic connections with interested partners.

[Photo: UAS7 and HWR President Andreas Zaby; (credit: Jessa Ragan (WSU Intl Mkting Team)]]

In Wichita, we brought together important actors in applied science education around the theme of German career steps. They emphasized specific opportunities for students in the region, such as internships, exchanges and other career opportunities, as well as the future of university-industry collaboration.

Andy Tompkins, WSU Interim President, introduced the event. UAS7 members Berlin School of Economics and Law and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences co-hosted and sent speakers. Prof. Dr. Andreas Zaby, President of the Berlin School of Economics and Law and also Chair of UAS7 network, served as a moderator. Mathias Haake, Lecturer at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and Mass Properties Engineer at Airbus Operations GmbH also came from Hamburg to share his career path at a university of applied sciences. Mario Kratsch, Vice President of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. outlined the German industry and investment landscape in Kansas and the region.

David Gartner, Head of Engineering Projects at Airbus Americas, Inc and Gerald Deren from Siemens joined us and presented ways of university collaboration and opportunities for students at their companies. Suzy Finn and Joshua Richardson, who participated in UAS7 study abroad programs, talked about their experience. Finally, Ann Burger, Associate Director for Study Abroad & Exchange Programs at Wichita State University rounded up all speakers and spoke about internationalization programs.

[photo: speaker group photo (credit: Jessa Ragan (WSU Intl Mkting Team)]

The event is part of a series of five events throughout 2019. Our first event took place at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama on January 30, 2019. Despite the uncharacteristically cold temperatures, more than 70 students and administrators from the University of Alabama in Huntsville as well as business representatives attended the panel, on which both industry and university speakers introduced and highlighted study exchange, internship and employment options in their respective organizations. The second panel took place at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville on April 17, 2019, and was very well attended also. The next events will take us to Clemson University (October 9) and the University of Pittsburgh (October 18).

[photo: Suzy Finn (credit: Jessa Ragan (WSU Intl Mkting Team)]

As usual, we could not have done this event without the help and support of a variety of friends, sponsors and co-sponsors such as the German Center for Research and Innovation, the German American Chamber of Commerce, Midwest, and of course by regional supporters wherever we go. We particularly want to thank Wichita State University, the many people we met there and everybody who supported us, particularly Ann Burger, Associate Director for Study Abroad and Exchange Programs.

[photo: audience members (credit: Jessa Ragan (WSU Intl Mkting Team)]
spaceships in Huntsville, Alabama

Throwback: “Employability (Made) in Germany” at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

In the framework of Deutschlandjahr, UAS7 produces the event series “Employability (Made) in Germany” at five different universities across the United States. In January 2019 we kicked off at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and then visited Evansville, Southern Indiana. Three more exciting events are coming up soon in Wichita, KS, Clemson, SC and Pittsburgh, PA, bringing together German and American university and industry partners, and the students benefitting from their collaborations.

Time to have a look back!

Thanks to RadioBro Corporation for the video footage, Rebecca Poell from Munich University of Applied Sciences for editing. University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Bremen City University of Applied Sciences: We could not have done it without you. We hope we honor everyone involved in the event with this little video. Please review the complete program here and a write-up of the event here.

Want to join us next time to learn about career opportunities in Germany? Our next stops will be: Wichita State University (Sept. 11), Clemson University (Oct. 9), University of Pittsburgh (Oct. 18). Check out the series here.

2/5: “Employability (Made) in Germany” at the University of Southern Indiana

After a successful kick-off at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in January, the second UAS7 “Employability (Made) in Germany” event took place at the University of Southern Indiana (USI) in Evansville on April 17. The event series is part of Wunderbar Together, the Year of German-American Friendship, a joint initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office, Goethe Institut and the Federation of German Industries (BDI), and supported by the German Center for Research and Innovation in New York.

The program “Employability (made) in Germany” informed students, academic faculty and staff as well as business leaders of the area about Germany-related career opportunities both in academic and in business settings in the Evansville area and in Germany. The event highlighted the long-standing partnership between Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the University of Southern Indiana, as well as the partnership between the cities of Osnabrück and Evansville. In the spirit of this, Mr. Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor of Evansville, and the German Honorary Consul in Indianapolis, Mr. Sven Schumacher, framed the event and academic experts and business leaders from both sides of the Atlantic addressed the full house of about 80 students, USI colleagues and local businesses.

Moderated by Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar, Professor of Economics at USI, the speakers included Greg Wathen, President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Marco Graf, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Osnabrück, Prof. Dr. Kay Hendrik Hofmann from Hochschule Osnabrück in Germany, Jeff Bennet, EVP of Human Resources at Berry Global, and Dr. Daria Sevastianova, Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Southern Indiana. Alicia Frederick, a study abroad alumna, recounted her glowing experience at the International Summer University at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück in 2018 and how this has had an impact on her personal and professional development.

From left to right: Daria Sevastianova, Alicia Frederick, Jeff Bennett, Kay Hendrik Hofmann, Marco Graf and Greg Wathen. Photo: USI Photography and Multimedia

After the panel concluded, students were encouraged to mingle with the panelists at a networking reception with delicious food and in the spectacular setting of the USI Griffin Center overlooking its reflection on the lake and  the USI campus.

Students and audience members during the panel. Photo: USI Photography and Multimedia

Special thanks goes to Dr. Daria Sevastianova and Heidi Gregori-Gahan, Associate Provost for International Programs University of Southern Indiana, and all the colleagues from USI for their crucial contributions in implementing this program – Wunderbar Together.

The second edition of the “Employability (Made) in Germany” event series has been a great success. UAS7 is looking forward to the upcoming three events, which will take place in Wichita (KA), Clemson (SC) and Pittsburgh (PA) this fall.

More information

UAS7 Employability (Made) in Germany

Hochschule Osnabrueck

University of Southern Indiana

Wunderbar Together

Employability (made) In Germany – Next Stop: Evansville, Indiana

Our next event on Employability (made) in Germany is coming up at the University of Southern Indiana on April 17 from 2pm to 5pm. The event is part of the Year of German-American Friendship or Deutschlandjahr Wunderbar Together – a collaborative initiative funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institut, and with support from the Federation of German Industries (BDI).  Additional support is granted by a variety of sponsors and supporters, such as the German Center for Research and Innovation, and of course by regional supporters wherever we go, such as the Industrie- und Handelskammer in Osnabrück, the Economic Development Corporation Southwest Indiana, the city of Evansville, and the German American Chamber of Commerce.

Our first event (of five) took place at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama on January 30. Despite the uncharacteristically freezing temperatures, a total of about 60 students and administrators from the University of Alabama in Huntsville as well as business representatives attended. On the panel both speakers from Germany businesses in the U.S. and from both universities introduced and highlighted study exchange, internship and employment options in their respective organizations – career steps “made” in Germany.

Now at our second stop, the University of Southern Indiana will host us. Planning is well underway and we invited regional business leaders and international academics to discuss university-industry collaboration, higher education models, and job market needs in an era of globalization and  academic internationalization.

Confirmed panelists include Greg Wathen, President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, who will discuss business opportunities for German companies in the region. Marco Graf, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Osnabrück, will discuss the larger regional landscape of German-American industry, businesses and partnerships in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, and will also talk about the skills that companies expect from university graduates to foster employability.

Prof. Dr. Kay-Hendrik Hofmann, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, will outline practice-oriented teaching and research and how German Universities of Applied Sciences prepare their graduates for the job market. He will also highlight how international student exchange can benefit from industry – university collaboration. Dr. Daria Sevastianova, Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Southern Indiana will present the exchange opportunities for USI students interested in going abroad to Germany and the impact that such a study abroad experience has on the students. We also invited an alumnus of the existing student exchange program between the University of Southern Indiana and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, to talk about their experiences with international exposure and exchange, and how they shape careers. A network reception and light refreshments will follow.

If you are interested in event, please email Patrizia Nobbe at nobbe -@- uas7.org.

Successful kick-off event: Employability (Made) in Germany

On January 30, 2019, UAS7 and Bremen City University of Applied Sciences launched a series of five events within Wunderbar Together, the Year of German-American Friendship 2019, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Nine speakers from business and academia informed interested participants about study, research and work opportunities in Germany and at U.S.-based German companies.

The “Employability (Made) in Germany” project aims to showcase Germany as one of the world’s leading countries in the fields of university-industry collaborations, dual-study programs, apprenticeships, and educational concepts of applied teaching and research. Throughout 2019, UAS7 will take its unique expertise in applied science education to universities across the American heartland.

The first stop on the itinerary was the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). UAS7 presented at UAH’s Spring Career Fair, and met with old and new business partners. At the heart of the visit was the panel on Employability (made) in Germany, co-hosted with UAH and Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, to which we invited students, alumni, U.S-based German businesses and other partners to learn about career options with a German component.

Expert pitches and networking

Michael Johnson, Honorary German Consul in Alabama

David Berkowitz, Dean of the UAH Graduate School, opened the event with warm words of welcome. Michael Johnson, Honorary Consul of Germany in Alabama (pictured), delivered introductory remarks, followed by Patrizia Nobbe, Director of the UAS7 Liaison Office in New York, who welcomed the audience on behalf of all co-hosts. We were fortunate to have Nicole Heimann, Director of the Skills Initiative at the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, deliver notes on German industry and business landscape in Alabama, and the partnerships in existence. She also served as our moderator and presented a surprise guest: UAH alumnus Nathanial Long -and also an alumn of the UAS7 exchange programs in Germany- joined in via Skype. He talked about his exceedingly positive experiences with the exchange and what he got out of it, both professionally and personally.

Nathanial was followed by UAH Professor Brian Landrum (Associate Chair and Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and Nicole Hughes (Director of Study abroad), who introduced some of the existing programs students may apply for to gain international experience and exposure.

The Business Side

Mark Becnel, President of RadioBro Corporation

The moderator then turned to our panelists, who were sitting among the audience, and asked each of them, why they made it a point to dedicate some of their time to come speak at this event. This gave them opportunity to present and describe their companies. They are all interested in working with the universities and with students, and since all invited companies have German roots or German connections, they emphasized the importance of internationalization or language skills. The latter point was actually up for debate, with some of the speakers emphasizing that one may also have a successful career in a German company in the US or even in Germany, if German language skills are not your best asset.

In a second round of questions, the speakers discussed career steps and options at their companies, offered advise, contacts and an open door – always. Since the format encouraged networking, the reception was opened right after, to give the students as well as the audiences time to follow-up with those speakers who offered the most interesting opportunities to them.

Successful kick-off

About 50 students, alumni and business representatives followed the invitation and showed great interest in exchange and career opportunities in Germany and at German companies based in the U.S. The format proved very successful. It allowed for active exchange of information in a setting that encouraged conversation between panelists and the audience.

Thank you to all our speakers, project partners and sponsors for making this event a huge success: Alabama Germany Partnership, Bocar US, abat AG, RadioBro Corporation, REHAU, German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., German Centre for Research and Innovation New York, Goethe Institut, Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie, Federal Foreign Office.

UAS7 is looking forward to the upcoming Employability (made) in Germany events in Evansville, Indiana, Wichita, Kansas, Clemson, South Carolina and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All upcoming Events.