8 Jul 2025
In an interview, Michael Brielmaier from LMU Career Service explains how students can find their way with self-confidence and curiosity - even if their first job isn't their dream job.
Advises and supports: Michael Brielmaier from LMU's Career Service. | © Sabine Jakobs
You've got your degree – now what? Alongside the excitement of starting out, there is sometimes also concern about finding the “right” career start. But that doesn't have to be the case. Interview with Michael Brielmaier, Consultant for Business Contacts & International Internships at LMU's Career Service.
The question of all questions right at the start: How do I find my dream job after university?
Michael Brielmaier: Many students come to us with exactly this question. Often coupled with high expectations of themselves. That's why I ask them: Does your first job after graduation have to be your dream job? The first thing is to find a good start to your professional life. That's only possible if you know yourself quite well. Practical experience before and during your studies can help with this. The earlier you start thinking about your career, the easier it will be. Some students only come to us towards the end of their studies and are stressed.
But the whole process can be more relaxed if, for example, you already have a mentor at your side during your studies, have secured a working student job, and are slowly starting to build up your network. These are the important recommendations we like to give students: Try out as much as possible as early as possible and focus on yourself. In other words: What are my ideas and wishes? What are my strengths and abilities? How can I develop them further? It is also perfectly fine to look at different areas and discard a career field you originally planned if it does not suit you.
Nevertheless, if I realize that I am not happy in my job, it is not an easy situation. What is your advice in such cases?
Every practical experience is valuable, even if the conclusion is that the conditions, the topics, and the profile are not a good fit for me. I would never see that as a failure, but rather as a helpful insight for the future. Then students can be even more targeted in their further search. At the same time, I would advise against giving up an internship after just one week, for example; that's too early. It's better to stick with it for now, show initiative, and seek dialogue with your superiors or colleagues.
LMU offers a very wide range of subjects, and the fields in which students can work after graduation are correspondingly diverse. It's a good idea to look at as many job advertisements as possible while you're still studying.Michael Brielmaier, Consultant for Business Contacts & International Internships
What opportunities are there for students to try things out?
Fortunately, there are lots and lots! LMU offers a very wide range of subjects, and the fields in which students can work after graduation are correspondingly diverse. It's a good idea to look at as many job advertisements as possible while you're still studying. This gives you a feel for what is sought after and required on the job market and the opportunity to develop your own skills in a targeted manner for your desired field: soft skills, languages, programming skills, for example.
Our daily updated job board provides an overview of this – from internships, part-time jobs, and working student positions to your first job after graduation. Munich is a very attractive business location for companies, and our students are in high demand. After all, LMU is one of the best universities in Europe. I always recommend looking beyond your own country's borders; it's a huge advantage. Most students are primarily interested in the very valuable semester abroad. But internships abroad are also a fantastic opportunity to gain international experience!
Why?
Because they combine so many things: exciting new countries and cultures, the development of language skills, but above all practical experience outside the university and the strengthening of one's own profile for the job market. Every day is a little adventure. When you do an internship abroad, you often have to step out of your comfort zone. But that's how you develop quickly, for example in terms of problem-solving skills, self-organization, and intercultural competence. We live in an international working world today, and these skills are in demand.
Which countries are suitable for an internship abroad?
That depends on the student. Every country offers exciting opportunities for new experiences. Within the EU, it is particularly easy for EU citizens to do so without a work permit or visa. The range of possible internship institutions is enormous: schools, hospitals, companies, law firms, foundations, NGOs, museums—to name just a few. Research internships at universities are also possible, for example, to collect data abroad for a term paper or thesis. We try to respond to the students' objectives as best we can and support them in this.
Every day is a little adventure. When you do an internship abroad, you often have to step out of your comfort zone. But that's how you develop quickly, for example in terms of problem-solving skills, self-organization, and intercultural competence.Michael Brielmaier, Consultant for Business Contacts & International Internships
Internships abroad also involve a lot of organization and high costs for students, right?
Yes, but we don't leave anyone on their own. As a career service, we offer comprehensive support and advice: from the initial idea for an internship to its implementation and scholarship. Students can make appointments with me, either digitally or in person. Some students come with an internship offer, others with an initial idea. We then examine which internship might be the best fit and what financial support might be available. We offer various scholarships for internships on all continents.
What do you say to students who would love to do an internship abroad but are still too afraid to take the plunge?
If you're interested, just make an appointment and we'll discuss your thoughts! The possibilities are truly diverse, and there is usually an exciting option for every student. Students can also talk to fellow students who have already been abroad or read the many experience reports on our website. These are very comprehensive, providing not only insight into the internship itself, but also how the students found accommodation and how they spent their free time.
So, my final tip is: try out different careers and discover your individual goals, interests, skills, and requirements! There are great job opportunities out there just waiting to be discovered by students.Michael Brielmaier, Consultant for Business Contacts & International Internships
Moving away from internships abroad and toward your dream job: What does the LMU Career Service offer?
Our services are aimed at all LMU students—across all faculties and subjects. We also offer targeted services for international students, who now make up a fifth of the total student body. We offer many personal company contacts: from small and medium-sized companies to large corporations, and we organize regular career events for this purpose. At these events, you can get to know individual companies personally and enjoy good food. At the networking buffets, participants can engage in more informal exchanges.
At our events, students can assess whether a company is a good fit for them. This is very important: it is not only the students who apply, but the companies also have to prove themselves to the students—it has to be a good fit on both sides. In addition, we have our own mentoring program, which gives students a realistic look behind the scenes of a professional field and often leads to long-term networks. Those who want to continue their education will also find numerous offers with us: from training courses on salary negotiations or resilience, to business English courses and business administration for beginners.
At the beginning of the interview, you said that many students come to you with concerns. Why is that?
The potential career paths are very different due to the variety of subjects at LMU. For example, in the state examination programs, the path is supposedly more clearly defined than in the humanities and social sciences. That's an advantage, but the multitude of possibilities can also be overwhelming. Sometimes the pressure comes from outside, but the world of work has become much more diverse, and teams are now deliberately made up of more interdisciplinary members. So, my final tip is: try out different careers and discover your individual goals, interests, skills, and requirements! There are great job opportunities out there just waiting to be discovered by students.
Studied abroad in Japan – Paula recounts her experiences in this multimedia story. | © private
Take the plunge, become more confident, get to know foreign cultures, make new friends. Six students report on the “time of their lives” during their internship or semester abroad.
Interested in studying or doing an internship abroad? Michael Brielmaier of LMU's Career Service and Philippa Menzel from the International Office offer tips and important advice for the perfect stay abroad.
Read now: The multimedia story "Studying abroad – a boundless experience"