Practical Career Orientation in Jena at JBZ

Get to know professional fields. Discover interests.

Practical orientation that helps with decisions

Practical career orientation offers students the opportunity to get to know different occupational fields and to actively try them out. In realistic learning situations, they gain insights into typical activities and working methods of various professions.

As part of small projects, the young people work in the respective occupational field, get to know basic materials, and deal with simple manufacturing and work processes. These practical experiences take place as a school event under the motto “Learning at a different location.” As a result, students can make more informed decisions about which occupational field they would like to pursue for their practical experience within a company later on.

Funded by the Free State of Thuringia from the European Social Fund Plus and by the Federal Employment Agency

Our offer for students

Based on the “State Strategy for Vocational and Career Orientation in Thuringia” and ESF Plus funding, the Jena Training Center (JBZ) offers occupational field exploration and testing for students at regular schools, comprehensive schools, and grammar schools in the city of Jena, as well as for the Milda Free All-Day School and the Magdala/Großschwabhausen regular school. These are aimed at young people in grades 7–8 at schools preparing for a secondary school certificate (Haupt- or Realschulabschluss) and grades 9–10 at schools aiming for the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur).

Target group

Grades 7–8 (Secondary School) and 9–10 (Grammar School)

School Types

Regular, comprehensive, and grammar schools

Content

Practical projects, materials & manufacturing processes

Goal

Confident decisions for internships & career paths

More information

Example Occupational Fields

Occupational Field

Examples of apprenticeship occupations in the areas of

Metal, Mechanical Engineering

Metal, Industrial Mechanic

Electronics

Electrical Engineering: Mechatronics Technician

Technology, Technology Fields

Optics: Precision Optician

Further occupational fields are offered by our cooperation partner Internationaler Bund (IB) Jena.

Participation and Implementation

Practical career orientation is carried out in close coordination with the participating schools. The measures take place during fixed periods and are integrated into the school schedule.

The students participate in groups and work under guidance on practice-oriented tasks in selected occupational fields. They are accompanied by experienced specialists from the Jena Training Center.

The implementation is structured, age-appropriate, and has a clear practical focus. The goal is to provide a realistic insight into professional activities and to allow students to gain their first practical experience.

Why choose practical career orientation?

Practical career orientation helps students discover their own interests and gain realistic insights into various occupational fields. Practical experience provides a sound basis for further educational and career decisions.

Practice instead of theory

Actively experience and practically try out occupational fields

Clear orientation

Identify interests and make decisions

Age-appropriate structure

Content tailored to grade level and learning progress.

Expertly guided

Accompanied by experienced professionals from the field

Our understanding of practical orientation

Practical career orientation thrives on experiencing, trying out, and reflecting. The Jena Training Center views orientation as an active process in which students do not just learn about professions but experience them firsthand. This creates realistic expectations and a reliable basis for future decisions.

Practice creates orientation

Career orientation is most effective when it does not remain abstract but becomes tangibly experienced. This is exactly where our offers come in: students are given the opportunity to get to know professional activities practically and try them out for themselves.

This creates an authentic picture of what a profession actually means—beyond descriptions or theoretical ideas. These experiences help students to better assess their own strengths, interests, and abilities.

Perspectives at the right time

Early practical experiences help young people make conscious and informed decisions for their further educational and professional paths. The impressions gained provide orientation during a phase when many questions remain open and decisions are often difficult.

By getting to know different occupational fields, students can specifically deepen existing interests or discover new ones. At the same time, possible next steps become clearer—such as the choice of an internship or a later apprenticeship. In this way, practical career orientation contributes to shaping transitions meaningfully and developing perspectives in good time.

"Hands-on programs help young people recognize their interests and realistically assess career opportunities."

- Johanna Blumröder, Head of Career Orientation

Our Shareholders

Strong partners mean strong prospects. With SCHOTT, ZEISS, and JENOPTIK by our side, we combine training with real-world practice, so you can start in a high-tech industry optimally prepared.

Johanna Blumröder

Your Contact Person for Career Guidance and Projects

Are you interested in career guidance and projects, or do you have specific questions about the process, requirements, or prospects? I would be happy to advise you personally and support you with your next step.