How to earn money as a student

When choosing a study programme, for many students future prospects on the job market after graduation are important criteria. We are lucky; TU alumni show that our employment prospects are looking good! Also, the majority of (prospective) students find it crucial to be able to work and support themselves while studying. Can I work while studying? How do I look for a job? What are the options? What to expect from the German labour market? Those questions inevitably keep spinning around one's head at the beginning of studies. We report how it went for us.

For several years now, I have been working as a tutor for the module ‚Einführung in wissenschaftliches Arbeiten und Schreiben‘ (eng. ‚Introduction to Scientific Work and Writing’). A fellow student called my attention to the job opening. My job is to lead groups and give feedback on texts and presentations. In case of questions and problems, I am available for help. Working as a tutor for this module helps me to get in touch with students, to learn how to lead groups and to prepare myself for writing my thesis. In addition, I have learned to give feedback on a pedagogical level and also to lead exercises online. I do not only get the chance to help students, but also to motivate them as far as possible.

I got the job at the Institute for Linguistics and Literature on my own initiative. When a new professorship came to our institute, I applied there immediately because I assumed they too would be looking for new student assistants – and luckily it worked out! My main task was to support the research projects of the professorship. You learn a lot about scientific work and the structures of a research project. Furthermore, it is especially cool to be a staff member at the same institute where you study, as you get to know many of the lecturers on a different level and get insights behind the scenes of research. Especially if you want to work in science later on, experience as an assistant is valuable, because you gain your first real work experience in science. It also looks very good on your CV. If this sounds good to you and you too want to work as a student assistant, then make an effort in your studies! Often assistants are selected based on good grades or positive impressions in seminars and lectures. Of course, this is not a guarantee and it is also possible to get a job by simply applying for it. You can usually find announcements on the website of the institute or the chair.

So far you have learned about many different possibilities to get a job at TU Darmstadt. But it is also possible to earn money at the university without a fixed job, and that is by participating in experiments! How exactly this works, I will explain to you now. I came into contact with participating in experiments early on during my studies because, at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature, where I study, there are eye-tracking experiments frequently taking place. Participation is usually quite simple: you sit down in front of a screen, read one or more texts, and receive five to twenty euros afterwards, depending on the duration of the experiment. Of course, it is not much, but it indeed is a nice bonus and you get to help science! There are also experiments that run over a longer period of time and therefore pay more money. Now you are probably wondering where you can find out whether an experiment is coming up. This can work in different ways. Often there are flyers in the cafeteria or in other central university buildings and there is a bulletin board in the old main building, which is worth a glance! Also, check the social media accounts and websites of the respected institutes. By the way, you don't have to be afraid! All experiments that are held at the TU must be reviewed and approved by an ethics committee beforehand and before an experiment, you will always be informed in detail about the complete procedure, so nothing can happen to you.