The offers of higher education institutions and degree programmes in Germany are countless. And also the number of study tracks at THWS is considerable. This can easily overwhelm pupils. The THWS student ambassadors shed light into the dark and answer questions of prospective students at job information fairs and during school visits.
The agony of choice: In the winter semester 2019/2020, there were more than 10,500 general degree programmes at over 420 higher education institutions in Germany. This wide array of opportunities makes choosing a degree programme increasingly more difficult for pupils. Job information fairs support pupils scanning all available options to make a sensible decision. There, prospective students can ask questions like: What abilities do I need to study Business Administration? What do you learn in the degree programme Robotics? The student ambassadors have answers to these questions.
They are students who represent their degree programme, their faculty and the University externally. They are the connecting links between prospective students and the University. Pupils get first-hand experience and are treated as equals by the student ambassadors who give insights into their study experiences.
In the winter semester of 2014/2015, the student ambassador project was initiated at THWS. Monika Hahn, employed with the Department of Public Affairs and Communications, joined the University three years later, and has since continuously expanded the team and has made the offer more popular at local schools. "Pupils pose completely different questions to students than to professors", Hahn reports. Professor Dr. Robert Grebner, president of THWS, is also thrilled about this initiative. "Our student ambassadors are particularly valuable to us because they draw new students to the University", Grebner says. "They support pupils who are choosing their educational future and their careers."
Their mission: Lightening the dark for pupils
Most bachelor's degree programmes have a student ambassador. Clara Späth, for example, is responsible for Business Administration (BWL) and International Management. She is in her seventh semester of Business Administration and has worked as a student ambassador for one and a half years. "I am always really happy when I can help pupils with these big decisions and can help shine light into the dark", Clara reports enthusiastically. Pupils and their parents express their gratitude towards her for offering honest and authentic insights into her studies. Clara went to a middle school (Realschule), with which she regularly visited fairs from grade 9. Thus, she can relate well with the graduates. "The topic of job choice was constantly on my mind. The fairs helped me and facilitated my decision. I want to pass on this experience", Clara says gratefully.
During school visits, the student ambassador independently introduces her degree programme via PowerPoint presentation. At events and job information fairs, she informs and advises visitors. "We also have the 'Meet a student'-programme. This programme gives pupils the opportunity to contact the student ambassadors via contact form and ask questions directly", Clara explains. They can also accompany students to a lecture to get an idea of the processes at a higher education institution. "We also visit the canteen as part of the programme", Clara promises.
Jonas Schewior, Robotics student in his fifth semester, has been a student ambassador since spring 2022. So far, he has counselled prospective students twice in the framework of the 'Meet a student'-programme. "The job requires flexibility, which is generally also required for studying at a higher education institution", he says.
From time to time, the student ambassadors also give testimonials at photo shootings and video recordings for social media. Clara says: "One of my personal highlights was the Instagram campaign that we started to increase the popularity of the Business Administration programme at THWS. For this, three videos of me were posted on Instagram."
A flexible job that also demands flexibility
Of course, the motivated students also get paid. They make 12.85 euros per hour. The working hours per semester vary between 15 and 40 hours. Späth works about ten hours per month. Jonas’s contract lays down 40 hours per semester. He has about two to three appointments per month. The students document their hours in an Excel table. As the events do not only take place in Würzburg or Schweinfurt, a car comes in handy, but is not required for the job. According to Jonas, the student ambassador for Robotics, there will always be a solution because in most cases several student ambassadors visit one event.
Prior to every event, Monika Hahn sends the students informative material and a guide with questions frequently asked by pupils. What is student life like? What school subject do you need most? "The first question is always whether you have to be good at maths", Clara says with a laugh. She then tells pupils that she herself was never good at maths and that she still made it to her seventh semester. When asked how time-intensive studying was, Späth answers that studying requires much self-initiative, and encourages pupils to consider studying at a higher education institution. If she cannot answer a question, she redirects it to other people: Monika Hahn from the Department of Public Affairs and Communications (HSK), the study counsellor, the professors of the subject, or other student ambassadors. Jonas is honest and, if need be, also critical. But he generally supports his study programme. "It definitely is an advantage to the job if you like your degree programme", Jonas says.
The job requirements: being open, communicative, empathetic
Strong communication skills and empathy are abilities essential for the job. You should like giving talks, be open and be able to approach people. "It is good if you still remember how you felt with 17 when everyone was trying to persuade you and asking about your future plans", Clara thinks. Being able to listen and to respond to pupils' needs was also important. "You should know about your own degree programme", Jonas adds. "But being a student yourself enables you to answer most questions."
You can become a student ambassador once you have completed your first semester. Because then, students have already had the chance to gain insights into their programme and THWS. In general, students are suggested by a professor. But it is also possible to apply independently. If you are interested in representing your degree programme in future, you can send an informal application with your CV to schulteam[at]thws.de.
Click here to listen to the podcast "Connecting links between prospective students and THWS" (podcast in German; English transcript available