Degree course or vocational training? Theory or practice? Why not both?

Students alternate approximately every three months between their academic courses at university and work at our offices, creating a balance between theory and practice. The practical phases of each course focus on applying, implementing and consolidating theoretical knowledge in the workplace.  Working in our different departments, students learn about our different units’ processes and activities. We believe that it is important for you to gain not only technical expertise and practical skills, but also social and methodological competencies. For this reason, we offer students made-to-measure seminars that complement their university courses and work experience.  The level of responsibility increases for each student as their course progresses, and we see to it that their involvement in our projects increases. A specialist in your field will provide you with guidance and support during your work.  Students receive feedback from their supervisors on a regular basis, particularly after the end of each practical phase.

Business IT specialists function as "translators" between IT teams (especially IT development) and Group partners or requesters. For example, they take IT processes and produce information about them so customers can understand what is happening. Their activities cover a wide spectrum: planning and conceptual design, programming and implementation, and support and maintenance for new software and systems. They study work processes and analyse IT systems in terms of effectiveness, security and economic viability. At DB Systel, for example, business IT specialists design concepts for automated shunting and make sure that intelligent passenger wagons provide advance notification if repairs are necessary. In addition, they see to it that the IT environments of DB AG employees operate in line with the latest security standards.

IT specialists help develop, analyse and configure complex software systems and perform software engineering tasks. They can work in application consulting, quality assurance, IT security, system administration, software development, testing and project management. At DB Systel, our IT specialists work on new features for apps such as DB Navigator. They also analyse large quantities of data from DB's infrastructure operations to identify how the company can optimise service frequencies for passenger trains.

Focusing on media publishing and design, the digital media course equips media designers to become our experts on digital information resources. Graduates can work in a host of fields: IT architecture and programming special software solutions, project management, customer consulting and support, the planning, designing and manufacturing of non-print materials, marketing, profitability analyses, as well as legal and contract-related issues. Looking at the aspect of user experience enables us to study the user-friendliness of websites and apps, such as Call a Bike, and optimise them for clients. Digital media experts also work to make bahn.de and our mobile apps barrier-free and they ensure that visually impaired customers can make full use of our digital offerings.

First and foremost, you need to be interested in the activities we have described, and you should have an affinity for cutting-edge technology, computer science and programming. You know how to learn in a way that helps you make progress. Teamwork is tremendously important to us, and it should be for you as well. You have a good grasp of technical and detail-heavy topics, and you can transfer what you know to other situations quickly and apply it accordingly. In addition to your school (or vocational school) leaving certificate, you have an affinity for maths, computer science, physics or business studies, as these will help you with your university courses and tasks at DB Systel. Good knowledge of German and English are also essential. If you are more interested in vocational training at DB Systel, further information is available here.

In addition to a stimulating, future-focused bachelor's degree course, we also offer a host of fantastic perks such as a NetzCard travel pass, free travel, rent support and career development options in the form of seminars and workshops. Once students complete their courses, they have an excellent chance of a permanent position at DB Systel as well as various opportunities for professional development, such as a master's grant specifically for our graduates.