Valuable Help on the Way to an Internship

Vaibhav Bamnote is studying for a Master's degree in Advanced Manufacturing at Chemnitz University of Technology - With the help of Chemnitz University of Technology's Career Service, he found an internship at Hörmann Vehicle Engineering in Chemnitz

Can you tell us some things about yourself?

I come from India and have completed my bachelors there. After two years of working, I chose to do my masters in Germany, to learn more about the field of mechanical engineering and explore Europe. Currently I’m studying Masters in advanced manufacturing with specialization in hybrid technologies. Outside academics I often go trekking. Apart from that I read philosophy, watch formula 1, play badminton and do bouldering.

Why did you choose to come to Chemnitz and what is your impression of the city and the university?

Along with diverse fields of research and the ongoing research projects at TUC, the city also played a crucial role in my decision. Chemnitz is relatively small and calm in comparison to many cities in my home country. Also it is almost at the canter of many beautiful neighboring countries and relatively near to the Alps which makes it easy to discover the European culture. Because of which I could travel to 4 different countries within the first 6 months. Also in Chemnitz it was easy to adapt in the new culture. My German skills definitely played a key role in making my social life easy, in getting to know new peoples, become part of student clubs and in day-to-day life. Also with time, professionally as well. The subjects in my course of study are interesting and exams are relatively easy, so I could learn not only about the subjects in my curriculum but also from other degree programs. It has been a great learning experience.

You applied for an internship, were you successful?

Yes, but the application process was not easy for me at the beginning as well. I got so many rejections that I lost the count at one point. That's why I invested a lot of time in improving my German language skills so that I could apply for jobs in German and speak more confidently in job interviews. I started drafting application documents and adapting to respective job profiles. With the help of Career Service, I prepared myself for interviews through tips provided and mock interviews. I received a lot of useful tips for guidance in my application process and refined my CV and cover letter up to the level of expectations needed in German market. Along with this personal guidance, events and lectures organized by Career Service also helped me gain more understanding of the process and requirements of the German job market. Finally, and most importantly, the assistance in preparation for interviews was very helpful. Dos, don’ts and other important aspects got clarified. And finally, I could convert my first German interview to full-time internship at Hörmann Vehicle Engineering in Chemnitz.

What events organized by the Career Service would you suggest the most up to other courses at the university?

The Career Service organizes different events every semester, such as lectures, the career fair TUCconnect, and excursion tours. Especially the excursion tours to the companies, gave me more insight into the ways of working, ongoing projects, job openings and to get in contact with people with similar academic interests. The career fair TUCconnect is the place where you have the best opportunity to get an employment opportunity as you get in contact with the recruiter rather than just being dependent on documents during online applications. I took this opportunity to get my full-time internship. Before the day of the fair, I read about different companies visiting the fair, what different projects and job opportunities they are offering. Then on the day of fair, I met the representatives from those companies, discussed my experience and skills and, talked about expectations and interests. It was a great experience not just professionally but also from my German skills perspective. And I am happy and grateful that the internship worked out.

What are your wishes for the future?

I wish to keep learning in this new work culture and contribute to the diverse research projects across the industry. That’s why it is such a big pleasure for me to be able to work even further at Hörmann Vehicle Engineering as a working student. Someday, I hope to work in the motorsports industry in Germany.

(Interview and translation: Sophie Oelsch)

Mario Steinebach
09.10.2024

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