Career Orientation Programme

The certificate programme consists of two phases: 

During the first phase, the focus is on reflection. Participants explore questions about their own skills, values, interests, and desired conditions for future work contexts. Developing a personal perspective on future leadership tasks also plays a role in this first phase. Finally, based on the insights gained, an individual profile is developed, which forms the basis for further work in the second phase.

In the second phase, the focus is on implementation and experimentation. Participants engage intensively with relevant fields of work and industries, initiate relevant contacts, and build initial bridges to possible future career fields as part of a prototyping process. 

This reflection and development process is stimulated and promoted through various forms of content-related discussion: through impulses for individual reflection, exchange in small teams, and workshops on topics such as leadership, new work, negotiation techniques, and strategic networking. More information on these elements can be found in the following section. 

The workload of the certificate programme comprises 180 teaching units. These can be completed in one year, provided that all required courses are taken. The next cycle starts in September 2025.

The certificate programme offers participants the opportunity for professional (re)orientation. Such a change of direction does not happen overnight, nor does it happen by itself, but must be developed and shaped in a process.

For an intensive and individually tailored exploration of different career aspects, we use a digital platform in the first phase of the programme to provide regular reflection tasks. With the help of these materials, participants can reflect on and specify the relevant questions and aspects of their future planning on an individual basis. The process and the content of the reflection are based on the Zurich-Mainz career counseling model and focus on the potential, skills, interests, values, and wishes of the participants. Based on this, priorities are developed, which ultimately result in a profile.

In the second phase of the certificate programme, participants develop an individual action plan for themselves based on this profile. In a prototyping process, ideas for potentially exciting career fields and new perspectives are first developed. With these initial ideas, participants then enter an exploration phase, which serves to gain more information and experience about these ideas. Through research, networking, interviews, work shadowing, mentoring discussions, and similar activities, the perspectives become clearer and the prototypes can be further refined. This agile method of gradually approaching a goal is particularly helpful for scientists with a more cognitive mindset, as it explicitly involves trying things out, learning, recognizing, and ultimately clarifying open questions through experience. Previously abstract ideas become concrete, misconceptions can be quickly corrected, and different options can be tested through early networking with relevant people.

In addition, there is the option of taking advantage of the Graduate School's individual career coaching services.

In addition to theoretical insights into the respective topic area, practical exercises always play an important role in all workshops. Case studies are used to provide practical experience of the topic and enable participants to directly apply what they have learned in an interactive setting in order to develop possible solutions. Active participation and collaboration are required in all workshops. The workshops are usually held in person, but some sessions are offered online. All external speakers are selected experts in their fields and have both an academic background and in-depth practical knowledge.

The workshop curriculum of the certificate programme covers events in three subject areas. The topic of career development is mandatory for all participants, while events from the other two modules can be chosen freely.

Career development

The sessions in this module form the basis of the certificate programme. Here, all participants come together as a group and deal with fundamental questions of career planning with the aim of developing their individual profiles. In accordance with their relevance and their structuring function, all workshops in this module are compulsory.

Management of Organizations

The workshops in this subject area offer initial insights into the fundamental business and decision-making processes in organizations and companies. Participants learn about interrelationships and strategic considerations in the various functional areas of organizations and companies, as well as the job profiles of the corresponding specialist and management positions.

Communication

Being able to communicate well and successfully in different situations is a recurring task in all work contexts and is therefore an important component of career planning, whether as a manager or in a collegial team context. The workshops in this module help participants learn to communicate authentically, confidently, and in a manner appropriate to the situation and their role.

Reflection teams are small groups of four to five participants who meet regularly and support each other in clarifying questions, developing perspectives, or achieving goals. The group exchanges ideas in a methodically structured manner on specific tasks or topics from the individual reflections. This gives each person new impetus or ideas, provides an outside perspective on their self-image, and the group encourages and inspires. It is up to each team to decide whether the meetings take place on site or digitally.

Here are some insights from current and former participants:

“One of my main expectations of the certificate programme was to gain clarity about my professional goals and opportunities. […] I am convinced that I have come a long way toward achieving this goal in the past few months. Although I would describe myself as a reflective person, many of the exercises gave me a good, well-founded overview of my skills […] and revealed new strengths […].”
– Dr Julia Finsel, postdoctoral researcher at Leuphana University of Hanover

“Regardless of our area of expertise, we all have to transfer knowledge and venture out of our comfort zone.”
– Dr Anna-Elisabeth Schmitz, accredited parliamentary assistant to Dr. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, European Parliament

“In my opinion, the three elements of the certificate programme worked together really well. The individual tasks were valuable in that they provided me with methodological guidance and enabled me to systematically reflect on various aspects of myself that are relevant to my career. On the one hand, this gave me an overview of which aspects are particularly important for my career choice (e.g., interests, career anchors, skills) and which tools can be used to explore them. On the other hand, by engaging with these aspects, I naturally gained a more informed idea of what characteristics my future profession should have in order to suit me. The group meetings also contributed to this.”
–  Dr Marco Warsitzka, postdoctoral researcher at Leuphana University

“My expectations of the certificate programme – to be able to develop individual skill sets within an overarching framework—have been fully met so far. I always welcome opportunities for further training, but often see little added value in short, one-off sessions that don't provide a bigger picture. The certificate programme avoids this precisely because of its clearly defined structure.”
– Lennart Brunkert, doctoral candidate at Leuphana

“Participating in the certificate programme actually helped me when applying for the position. First as an additional qualification on my resume and then in the job interview.”
– Dr Katharina Mausolf, Scientific Coordinator of the FraDiv project

The certificate “Leadership in Society and Business” is aimed at advanced doctoral candidates and postdocs at Leuphana who are seeking employment outside of academia. You must be willing to engage intensively in workshops, reflection groups, and a prototyping project over two semesters to develop your career plan.

The certificate programme is offered annually and can be completed in two semesters. The next cycle starts in September 2025 and ends in June 2026. The individual workload consisting of workshops, individual reflection (including prototyping), and reflection teams comprises 180 teaching units, spread over approximately 2-3 days per month.
The workshops mainly take place during the lecture period. One-day sessions are usually held on Fridays, two-day sessions on Thursday/Friday. Please note that in addition to the workshops, there will also be small group meetings and you will need time for reflection/the prototyping project.

Doctoral candidates and postdocs at Leuphana are eligible to apply. Participation is limited to 12 people. Applications must include a CV and a written statement explaining your motivation and objectives for participating.

Please use the application form to apply.

The letter of motivation (max. 3 pages) should include:

1. Reasons for applying
2. Expectations of the program
3. Initial thoughts on desired career prospects

The next round will start in the winter semester 2025/2026. An application is only worthwhile if you can commit to the following mandatory dates:

• September 26, 2025 / Kick-off event
• December 4 and 5, 2025 / Leadership workshop
• February 12 and 13, 2026 / Profile development workshop
• June 19, 2026 / Closing

Apply at any time, but no later than July 31, 2025. Please remember not to schedule your own courses for Thursday or Friday during the 2025/2026 winter semester and the 2026 summer semester.

After completing all required sessions, you will receive a certificate documenting the contents of the curriculum and the skills you have acquired.

Not convinced yet? If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or come to the certificate program's Homecoming Day on June 20, 2024, starting at 2 p.m. around Building 14.