Studienkompass – Compass for Educational and Career Guidance
Together with the Accenture Foundation and the Deutsche Bank Foundation, the Foundation of German Business initiated a new programme in the spring of 2007 offering secondary school students educational and career guidance. The three-year programme, named Studienkompass (literal translation compass of studies), aims to encourage secondary students to attend a college or university and to complete a course of study that matches their individual interests and abilities.
The guidance programme is open to secondary school students of all nationalities. It is particularly directed toward young people who have the potential for college or university, but who would not consider choosing this path without outside encouragement. This especially applies to the large group of young people whose parents did not go to college. Interested school students can apply for the programme during their third to the last year. New students are admitted to the programme once a year. To be eligible to apply, students must attend a grammar school or comprehensive school in a region where the Studienkompass programme is offered and with the intention of graduating with Abitur (university entrance diploma).
Like a compass, the programme provides all participants with solid educational and career guidance for choosing a fitting course of study and career. During the last two years of secondary school and also the first year at college or university, the students receive intensive support through workshops, personal counselling in a regional network, excursions and many informative activities. Continuing guidance until the end of the second semester at university lays the foundation for a successful course of study.
In comparison to other countries, Germany has a relatively low percentage of university graduates. Too few secondary school graduates go on to college and of those who do, too many ultimately drop out. The guidance programme is committed to countering this tendency.
In 2007 Studienkompass will start work in Erfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Oder, Hamburg and Cologne. Step by step the number of participating secondary school students will be increased, and Studienkompass will be offered in more and more regions. With this as background, new partners and interested supporters are always welcome, even on the regional level. Further information – for parents of interested students also in English and Turkish – is available on the Studienkompass website.