On May 14, 2025, the career event “Make it in Germany” took place on the campus of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU): a special networking breakfast for international students and researchers, jointly organized by HHU, the Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Düsseldorf), and the Wissensregion Düsseldorf. The goal of the event was to connect international talents with regional companies and to shed light on key questions related to starting a career in Germany: How do you write a successful application? What do employers expect? And how can international professionals build a sustainable path into the German job market?
The event was strategically scheduled shortly before the start of the campus career fair. As a result, international students were better prepared and more motivated to engage in conversations with company representatives directly afterward. While the German language can be a challenge for many applicants, it is ultimately personality, openness, and motivation that count most — and these are exactly the qualities many employers particularly value.
The event began with a keynote by Andrea Diepen-Goerres (Vodafone) on current trends in the German application process — from employer branding to job interviews. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Ololade Ogeye (Trivago), Erzen Hyko (HHU alumnus, iseremo), and Eslam Abdelraouf (Henkel), moderated by Dr. Nikolaus Paffenholz (IHK Düsseldorf). Together, they explored what companies are looking for and how international applicants can make a strong impression.
A key message was also directed at the phd-candidates in the room: they were especially encouraged to highlight the skills they have developed through their research more clearly in the application process. While it may seem at first glance that they lack “traditional work experience,” many of them bring highly valuable competencies to the table. These include the ability to systematically analyze complex problems, independently manage long-term projects, communicate scientific content clearly, and work successfully in interdisciplinary teams.
The networking session that followed gave students, alumni, and company representatives a chance to connect and exchange ideas directly.
This year, the Wissensregion Düsseldorf participated for the first time as a co-organizer of “Make it in Germany” — a perfect complement to its own well-established winter event, “Düsseldorf meets International Talents,” which will take place for the fourth time on November 19, 2025. Both formats pursue a shared goal: to empower international talents, provide guidance, and highlight concrete career opportunities in the region.
These events address a key challenge that is also clearly identified in current academic research. A joint analysis by the German Economic Institute (IW) and the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) highlights that international students represent a tremendous opportunity for Germany. They bring qualifications, motivation, and international networks — but in order for them to stay long-term, a welcoming culture, clear information, early practical experience, and targeted support for entering the job market are essential. This is precisely where initiatives like “Make it in Germany” and “Düsseldorf meets International Talents” come in.
Many thanks to all contributors and the organizing team for the smooth and professional implementation. We look forward to being part of it again next year.
Photo: Maike Schrömbgens (IHK Düsseldorf)
