Do you want to do your own thing after studying? We'll show you how you can start your own business.
Finding your dream job after university is not that easy. Especially when no job advertisement really fits, an alternative becomes increasingly attractive: self-employment. Here you can find out which paths lead from your studies to self-employment and what requirements you need to have in order to be successful as a self-employed person.
The prerequisites for quick success
The decisive factor for your professional success is not your professional skills, but the contacts and experiences you gained during your studies. Practical experience outside of your studies helps you in two ways: it not only gives you insights into companies and work routines that you can use to become self-employed; it also helps you make valuable professional contacts. And often, among these contacts, there is exactly the person who makes you aware of the right financing option, has the brilliant idea for your business concept or introduces you to your first customers. You should therefore definitely get a taste of areas that interest you during your studies - be it as a student assistant, working student or intern.
For graduates with wanderlust: Franchise abroad
Anyone who wants to work abroad after completing their studies has to overcome many other bureaucratic and cultural hurdles in addition to the actual self-employment. This becomes much easier if you become self-employed with a franchise. For example, you could set up a brokerage office with a real estate franchise abroad , relying on the franchisor's proven business concept and entrepreneurial structures.
The significant advantage of the franchise system for self-employed people is that the required specialist knowledge and business knowledge is imparted through internal training, meaning that you do not have to embark on a long career path after completing your studies. However, initial experience in the industry is still very helpful - with an internship abroad during the semester break, you could not only get to know the field of work, but also explore your future place of residence.
For students with big ideas: founding a start-up
Do you have a business or product idea and would like to implement it on your own? Then you can become self-employed with a start-up. The university offers a particularly good breeding ground for all kinds of ideas, because here you can find like-minded people, mentors and various financing options. Many universities also have special service offers and funding awards for entrepreneurial students - so it's no wonder that many become their own bosses while still on campus .
Whether you found your start-up during your studies or afterwards: the close network of students, lecturers, researchers and entrepreneurs that the university offers is your key to professional success. On the one hand, you get more funding and also have more success with financing options such as crowdfunding; On the other hand, this network offers you the opportunity to make your company known – and to market your idea effectively.
For students with a thirst for freedom: freelance work
If you want to be your own boss but don't want to be tied to a company in terms of time and location, freelancing offers maximum freedom. Whether as an artist, journalist or tax consultant: freelancers work on a fee basis and can set their working hours individually. Many things are even completely online, so that as long as the internet is available you are completely independent of any location.
The big advantage of freelancing for students: This form of self-employment can be easily combined with your studies. If you consider the tax regulations for part-time self-employed students , you can take on a small amount of orders while you are studying. In this way, you can also build up a portfolio and perhaps even a small customer base - and this is essential if you want to make a living from your freelance work after studying without having to go through long financial dry spells at the beginning.
Your very own path to professional success
Which form of self-employment is right depends entirely on your individual preferences. Answering these questions can help you decide:
- Which type of self-employment suits my personality?
- What financial risks am I willing to take?
- How much security or freedom do I want to have?
No matter which type of self-employment you choose: you will have to face many challenges on the way to professional success. Whether it's a business plan, business organization or self-marketing - there's a lot to think about when starting your own business . However, if you put out feelers, try things out and establish networks during your studies - then you will create the best conditions for a successful start to your self-employment.
Image 1: ©istock.com/baona
Image 2: ©istock.com/lechatnoir
Do you want to do your own thing after studying? We'll show you how you can start your own business.
