A total of 130 meetings between students and 25 companies from the region took place over two days – virtually and, on 23 November 2022, in person on campus in Kleve. During short time slots, students were able to discuss internships, final-year projects or starting their careers with company representatives in a relaxed setting and atmosphere.
Following two years of virtual speed dating due to the pandemic, Julia Nepicks, Managing Director of the Förderverein Hochschule Rhein-Waal e.V., welcomed the fact that this year it was once again possible to meet in person. “For us as a support association, which is primarily funded by the regional business community and also sees itself as a network of business contacts, the shortage of skilled workers is obvious,” explained Nepicks. This was particularly evident in the high level of interest shown by companies and this year’s record number of registrations.
She was all the more delighted to be able to report successful placements shortly after the event; one entrepreneur told her afterwards “that he would have loved to snap up one of the students right there in the car park”. The participating students also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere, which meant they did not feel as though they were in a traditional job interview.
Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, President of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, addressed the students with an appeal: “Make the most of this opportunity to engage with companies in the region to discuss your future career in the Lower Rhine area.” He said he was delighted “that, as a university, we can provide the platform for this exchange.”
The event proved particularly popular with international students. This was also evident from the high uptake of the advisory service provided by Probat, a company based in Emmerich, which reviewed the students’ CVs to ensure they met German standards. Julia Nepicks expressed her particular thanks to the regional companies that make such initiatives possible and promised that the Friends’ Association would continue to support students and companies in coming together in the future.
