Career Counselling at Schule Schloss Salem

In Grade 8, careers guidance begins with the individual: What interests me? Where do my strengths lie? What matters to me? Initial insights into different professional fields broaden students’ understanding of the options open to them. Through portfolio work and Unifrog, students are also introduced to tools that will support them in their decision-making over the coming years.

In Grade 9, the focus increasingly shifts towards application skills. Students reflect on their personal strengths, learn how to write a CV and covering letter, and gain an insight into typical elements of an assessment centre. This helps them not only to understand application processes, but also to assess and present their abilities with greater confidence.

Career planning now becomes practical. During a two-week work placement, students gain first-hand experience of the professional world. Aptitude and interest assessments, including geva and Unifrog, help them reflect on these experiences. The results are discussed individually and also inform the considered selection of subjects for College.

Read some testimonials here:

• An internship with fashion designer Markus Spatzier in Vienna
• My internship in California

In Grade 11, attention increasingly turns to life after graduation. Students become familiar with the university landscape, research degree programmes in greater depth and attend university information days and university fairs. At the same time, they explore different application routes and begin preparing their next steps.

In Grade 12, ideas and plans become concrete next steps. Students prepare applications, familiarise themselves with admissions procedures and relevant tests, and can make use of individual advice from the Career Counsellors. The aim is to enable them to plan their path after graduation independently and on a well-informed basis.

This standardised test provides an indication of academic ability and also serves as preparation for the SAT.

The SAT is a standardised admissions test that may form part of an application to a university in the United States, depending on the requirements of the individual institution.

As part of their German courses in the IB, students are prepared for the TestDaF, a recognised qualification demonstrating the level of German required for study at German universities.

Students also receive individual support with university applications. This applies both to German universities and to international institutions, where application and admissions procedures can sometimes be considerably more complex.

Career Counselling begins in transition school and continues through to graduation. Its focus develops as students grow older: from exploring their own interests, strengths and values, through practical experience and university choices, to preparing specific applications.

Alongside workshops and group activities, students have access to regular drop-in sessions and individual consultations. These provide an opportunity to reflect on experiences and assessment results, discuss university and career options, and plan the next steps that are right for each student.

In Grade 10, all students complete a two-week work placement, which has been an established part of careers guidance at Salem since 1984. It is prepared for and followed up in lessons, with individual reflection and aptitude and interest assessments providing further support.

Yes. Career Counselling also supports students considering international university pathways and application processes. This includes information about universities abroad and international university fairs as well as, depending on the individual pathway, preparation for the PSAT, SAT and TestDaF.

Salem alumni, parents, external experts and universities complement our professional careers guidance by sharing their own academic and professional experience. At the Careers Information Day and through other formats, students gain first-hand insights into a range of professions and can compare their own ideas and ambitions with real-world experience.