Networking to kick-start your career Connect38 brings together students and regional companies from the media and communications sectors
How do you get started in the media and communications industry? Answers to this question were provided by the Connect38 networking event, which recently took place at DenkRaum Braunschweig. Organised by students at Technische Universität Braunschweig, the event brought together aspiring professionals with regional companies and institutions, creating opportunities for personal interactions, career guidance and the establishment of valuable contacts.
The Connect38 organising team. Photo credits: Nico Müller/TU Braunschweig
Connect38 was developed as part of a project management seminar led by Professor Monika Taddicken and Evelyn Jonas at the Institute of Communication Studies at TU Braunschweig. The event was conceived, organised and run by students from the Master’s programme in Digital Communication and Media Technologies (TU Braunschweig) and the Bachelor’s programme in Media Studies (HBK Braunschweig). They were supported by DenkRaum Braunschweig, the Braunschweig Public Insurance Association and the Braunschweig University Association. The aim was to provide students with easy access to potential employers from the region and to offer insights into a wide range of career fields within the media and communications sector.
Networking Bingo and Speed Networking
Following a welcome address by Professor Taddicken, who emphasised the role of professional communication in society and the world of work, the focus shifted to personal interaction. A game of Networking Bingo helped break the ice before students and company representatives engaged in conversation during the speed networking session. During these sessions, participants gained insights into career paths and professional prospects, learnt about work placements and entry-level opportunities, and made their first professional contacts.
Connect38 entstand im Rahmen eines Projektmanagement-Seminars. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Der persönliche Austausch stand bei der Veranstaltung im Mittelpunkt. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Die Unternehmen und Institutionen stellten sich zunächst vor. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Studierende und Unternehmensvertreter*innen kamen miteinander ins Gespräch. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Austausch beim Speed-Networking. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Die Studierenden erhielten Einblicke in Karrierewege und Berufsperspektiven. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Die Teilnehmenden konnten sich über Praktika und Einstiegsmöglichkeiten informieren. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
Kontakteknüpfen beim Speed-Networking. Bildnachweis: Evelyn Jonas/TU Braunschweig
A total of 26 students took part, along with representatives from nine regional companies and institutions: the AWO Braunschweig District Association, Call The Dude GmbH, Carisma Media GmbH, NDR Studio Braunschweig, Öffentliche Versicherung Braunschweig, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, the Westermann Group, the City of Braunschweig (Communications Department) and TV38 e. V.
“Connect38 demonstrates how playful formats can successfully bring students and regional companies together,” says Evelyn Jonas. “At the same time, the project offered the organising students the opportunity to apply their project management skills in a real-life event setting – from the initial idea through to planning and successful implementation.”