ESMT supports high school students with application training
On August 18-19, 2011 ESMT welcomed 10th grade students from the Johann-Thienemann-Schule for the third year in a row to have an application training. ESMT faculty members, programs directors and program managers led sessions, which included an overview of the application process, dos and don’ts, and interview simulations.
While ESMT Dean of Executive Education Olaf Plötner explained how a market economy operates, faculty member Martin Kupp focused on how a company works. In his session, the pupils had to build and start their own businesses with paper airplanes. They took out loans, dealt with the general financing of their enterprise, and sold their planes to clients.
Practical sessions with experienced professionals gave the young adults a better understanding of the workplace. Silvia Merretz, who is in charge of talent management at McDonald’s Deutschland and Timo Kronfeld, HR manager at Saturn, gave the pupils advice on getting hired and staying employed. "You should be on time and always listen carefully," summed up participant Bülent, 15 years old.
Christopher, also 15, said, "The idea to provide us with this training was great. I learned a lot to help me in my preparation for applying for a job and work itself. I especially liked simulating business by building the paper planes as we really got to know how business works."
Martin Kupp stated, "For me it is a lot of fun to work with young students. They should know how companies and a market economy work. At this age when the application process is beginning, it is especially important for them to understand how to proceed. The pupils are very committed to the subject and enjoy the lessons. They experience something different than the normal classroom routine at ESMT and learn something new."
"I think this concept is not only praiseworthy but also practical," added Timo Kronfeld from Saturn. "Saturn is participating because we have a social task to fulfill in providing young people professional orientation. Saturn is also intensifying its visits in schools -- to inform the pupils and hopefully to gain qualified candidates."
At the end of 10th grade, all pupils in Germany have the chance to take the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA, equivalent to a high school diploma). They can then decide whether to continue and do their A-levels or to start an apprenticeship.
ESMT European School of