The Power of Experience

In Baden-Württemberg, a week of work experience for Year 10 students or a social placement for Year 9 students is more than just a traditional rite of passage; each provides a powerful experience that shapes young minds and bridges the gap between education and the world of work. These two types of internships that take place every year at SIS Friedrichshafen both aim to foster social competence and increase confidence and self-esteem, enabling first-hand insight into a wide range of professions and helping to demystify the world of work. The feedback from the students and the organisations in which they were placed was particularly positive this year, with one student offered a trainee position in a retirement home and others given the opportunity to return both before and after graduation. Some are even thinking of social volunteering on a regular basis, with two offered a position when they finish their education! 

Preparing for Real-World Opportunities 
A social placement or BOGY (Berufsorientierung an Gymnasien; vocational orientation at college level) week is the culmination of a lot of hard work for the students, who need to be prepped early in the academic year in order to secure high quality placements with good organisations to give them a worthwhile experience. For many Year 10 students, the transition from school to work can seem daunting, but this early exposure allows students to explore different career paths and industries, providing valuable insights to guide their future educational and career choices. Last year, at SIS Friedrichshafen, our 18 social placement students secured diverse placements in kindergartens, retirement homes, and an animal shelter, whilst our 27 BOGY students secured some sought-after work placements across the legal and medical sectors, in addition to others with prestigious organisations such as Rolls-Royce/ MTU, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, the Messe and the Institut für Seenforschung (institute of lake research). It can be the catalyst for change some students need in order to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them at SIS in Years 11 and 12.

Teresa Scott and Dr. Matthias Voelkel, Secondary School Teachers