German
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Description
German at the University of Newcastle is aimed at the study of the German language itself rather than literature or history.
At undergraduate level, the German major sits in the BA program and can also be studied concurrently with other programs as part of the Diploma of Languages. The German major is designed to be followed sequentially, with most students beginning their sequence at the 1000 level.
The first two years would involve the sequence GRMN1501, GRMN1502, GRMN2501, and GRMN 2501.
There is more flexibility after that point: the courses GRMN3501 and 3503 can be taken at the same time or at different times, though to achieve the major in three years they will have to be taken at the same time. GRMN3501focuses on German speaking professional and/or business environments. The remaining courses are GRMN3502 (to be taken after GRMN3501) and GRMN3504 (to be taken after GRMN3503).
All German courses involve a mixed mode of delivery: they are coordinated by staff at University of New England with local tutors providing tutorials (i.e. face-to-face teaching). The courses make use of UNE's Blackboard system.
Students who major successfully in German will be equipped to read, speak, and write German with a high degree of fluency. Students have the opportunity to spend a semester at a university in Germany or Austria on an exchange program.
View our Bachelor of Arts in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
View our Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
Some occupations require a higher level of completed study than an undergraduate degree, and for this reason it is worthwhil considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Coursework programs and additional study options available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options followint the Bachelor of Arts include:
Honours: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Postgraduate Study:
Research
Masters by research
PhD
Coursework
After completing a degree there are a range of postgraduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowledge base. To explore such options please visit the Postgraduate Handbook.
Sample Jobs
The following list provides example jobs for the German major. Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require more than an Arts degree.
- Administrator
- Business Analyst/Consultant
- Community Development Worker
- Community Liaison Officer
- Cultural Development Officer
- Customs Officer
- Diplomat / Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- English as a Second Language Teacher (ESL Teacher)
- Foreign Correspondent
- Graduate Programs - Public and Private Sectors
- Immigration Officer
- Import/Export Officer
- Intelligence Officer
- International Admissions Officers
- International Aid/Development Worker
- International Exchange Coordinator
- International Manager
- Interpreter
Getting the Edge
Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.
- Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
- Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
- Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
- Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
- Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
- Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
- Consider volunteering.
Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.
Sample Employers
German language graduates find employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries in small, medium or large organisations. Below is an example of some of the large organisations that recruit this major.
- Allianz (Australia)
- Amnesty International (International)
- ANZ (Australia)
- Attorney Generals Department (Australia)
- AusAID (International)
- Austrade (International)
- Australian and International Universities (International)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australia)
- Australian Catholic Schools (Australia)
- Australian Council for International Development (International)
- Australian Council for the Arts (Australia)
- Australian Customs Service (Australia)
- Australian Defence Force (International)
- Australian Industries Group (International)
- Australian National Library (Australia)
- Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation (International)
- Australian Taxation Office (Australia)
- Centrelink (Australia)
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)
- Department of Defence - Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) (Australia)
- Department of Education and Training (Teach NSW) (Australia)
- Department of Education, Science and Training (Australia)
- Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (International)
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Australia)
- Macquarie Bank (Australia)
- Migrant Network Services (Australia)
- Migrant Resource Centres (Australia)
- National Archives of Australia (Australia)
- National Australia Bank (Australia)
- National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters Council (Australia)
- NSW Local Government (Australia)
- SBS Television (Australia)
- The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
- Unilever (International)
- Westpac (Australia)
Recruitment Timing
Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.
Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .
Job Prospects and Salary
For up-to-date information please see Job Outlook Australia. This site provides basic Australian labour market information including job prospects, skills requirements and salaries. You might try some of the classifications below as a guide on this site.
Societies and Associations
Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.
Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.
Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.
Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.
Job Search Sites
Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:
Australian and International
- CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.
Australian
- CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
- MyCareer: Australian and international listings
- Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
- The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs
International
- Overseas Jobs
- Mind Exchange: links to job listings in Asia, Europe and Latin America
- International Jobs
- Agency Central: UK recruitment agency and job sites directory
- Command Group: a recruitment company with vacancies in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore
Sample Job Ads and Tips for Applying
Job ads provide useful information about the job and the required skills, experience and qualifications. Information like this is useful in career planning. Below is a small sample of job ads with tips on planning and job applications; explore further to gather more useful information for your planning.
Please note, the job ads listed on this page are not current and were sourced from a variety of websites in 2010.