After the fall of communism in 1990, five years later, we could see few flourishing landscapes, and the future seemed relatively bleak. There were hardly any businesses, and based on my background and school report, the employment office and careers counseling offered me exactly the same pointless job suggestions as today: car mechanic, animal keeper, or bricklayer. I like driving fast cars, but nothing else interests me. I really like animals, but sweeping shit all day wasn't for me either, and I couldn't imagine being a bricklayer out in the cold.
Career counseling after reunification was problematic due to a lack of forward-looking approaches. Job suggestions such as car mechanic, animal caretaker, or bricklayer, which had little to do with people's individual skills and interests, were frequently made. Orientation and linking positive student characteristics with suitable career fields was virtually impossible.
Just like many 14- to 18-year-olds today, I was just as ignorant and unsure about my future. The problem, in my opinion, is that teachers know and can articulate the positive qualities of their students, but they struggle to translate these into career prospects. It would be better to stimulate students' imaginations without pigeonholing them into pre-conceived job descriptions.
Why do my sons get exactly the same job recommendations today as I did back then?
Even today, many young people receive the same job recommendations as decades ago because the system lacks adaptation and integration of new job profiles such as artificial intelligence (AI). The employment agency is often not quick enough to add new job titles such as "AI expert" or "data scientist."
Lack of innovation in job placement
There's no one at the Federal Employment Agency dedicated to actively acquiring and publishing new job listings. Why is there no competition from platforms like Indeed or Monster? Why don't we have a modern, innovative platform that offers guidance to both students and job seekers? These questions remain unanswered.
Although many of its institutional structures are outdated, Germany remains among the strongest economies in the world. However, the country also benefits from external factors such as a stable economy and international partnerships. Nevertheless, innovations in job placement and adaptation to new technologies lag behind.
Why isn’t there competition to platforms like Indeed?
The answer to this question lies in the lack of strategic innovation and the limited resources to develop a modern and competitive platform. The lack of resources and the focus on traditional professions make the creation of such platforms difficult.
The problem of encrusted structures
Another problem is the rigid structures that exist in the employment agency. These often hinder effective development and innovation. The implementation of new solutions is massively slowed because many decision-makers at the Federal Employment Agency are unable to react quickly enough to changes.
My motivation for change
The drive to improve existing structures and create new opportunities is a key motivation for me. I don't just want to build on existing systems, but rather create something new that is tailored to the needs of the modern working world.
