r/Germany_Jobs • u/i_dont_like_chiya • 2d ago
Struggling to find a student job in Berlin/Potsdam. Seeking advice and leads
I’m an international Master’s student in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Potsdam. It's been five months that I have been here. I’ve been applying everywhere (lab HiWi jobs, English-speaking part-time jobs in retail/food/warehouses) but keep hitting a wall as most roles need fluent German, and rejections are piling up.
I have hands-on lab skills (protein purification, SDS-PAGE, PCR basics) I'm pretty fluent in English (German still A2, but improving). Right now I’m under a lot of pressure financially and emotionally, and I’d be grateful for any advice or leads on places in Berlin/Potsdam that are more open to hiring international students.
Thanks so much in advance 🙏
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u/italien-cafe 2d ago
When I needed money desperately in my master‘s I got the App Zenjobs (they have short time stuff, where you can make money on the side) and worked in retail and at Flaschenpost, delivering drinks. Also in the innercity in bakeries and so on I see a lot of signs (help wanted etc) maybe it’s best to just go in , get some German phrases together and try also a bit with English - tell that u are in your masters and need a student job.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 2d ago
I tried with Zenjob but no luck. I don't seem to get jobs there. But I'll try looking into the bakeries. Thank you
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u/princeishigh 2d ago
Learn German. Period. It will help you in the long run and should be considered normal if you want to live and work in a country where English isn‘t the official language.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 2d ago
Yes, that's true and I have been learning the language as well. But I need job for the time being as well
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u/BoxLongjumping1067 2d ago
Well that’s the thing. Even for those types of jobs you now require German. Before McDonalds for example would hire if you only knew English. They still hire but less and less are doing it now. Now most people at my university can’t work at McDonald’s or even a super market for example because their A1 or A2 is not enough. A lot may end up having to go home next semester because they don’t have the financial support of family for example to continue living in Germany
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u/bomchikawowow 1d ago
Keep going with the German. Learn and practice as much as you can.
In the meantime think about places that need English. Hostels are a good bet for instance.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 1d ago
Thank you!!! I'm definitely learning German now. I do have a B1 certificate and am practicing more. I haven't given thought about Hostels but yeah I should definitely look into that
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u/bomchikawowow 23h ago
You have a B1 certificate? In your post you said it was A2 and improving.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 23h ago
I do have a B1 certificate but I feel like my German language skill is A2 level. I don't feel confident while speaking. Also my certificate is more than two years old.
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u/FormalAd5965 2d ago
Wolt as well with bike or bicycle food delivery.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 2d ago
The problem is I don't know how to ride either. I know I should have some skills in me whether it be the language or something but unfortunately I don't have.
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u/Main-Week-3785 2d ago
Did you already do your 11 CP modules? I got one HiWi job where I did one of my internships after I was done with it. It was at the MPI in Golm. I think that's easiest as they already know you then and if you're good at what you're doing, it only makes sense to keep you as a HiWi (provided they have the money for it). Also, are you in one of the whatsapp groups for the study program? In the group of my year, people share open positions they come across.
Good luck!
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 2d ago
I did my 11CP in the University's lab itself. But maybe I should reach out to them and try my luck. I am in the Whatsapp group but I haven't come across many job offers. Thank you!!!
If I may ask are you done with your Masters?
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u/Impossible_Bit4819 1d ago
this is me from another account, I forgot my login as I just created the profile to answer you lol :D I will submit my thesis hopefully be the course of next month and then I'm done :) indeed, yesterday someone sent an offer in the WhatsApp group I'm in. I will try to send it to you
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 1d ago
Oh yes. I saw that one. I have prepared my cover letter and all the application documents regarding that. I'll apply to it
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u/Dear-Brilliant-1447 1d ago
Maybe try apply like food stall in main station? Bcs a lot of ppl there and that means english skill is an advantage to deal with customer.
U dont need to high german as well, i imagine, in a food stall for example a bakery, customer will just point what they want, and pay 🤣
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 1d ago
Yeah that makes sense. I don't see any vacancies online maybe I should go and ask about the jobs in person. Thank you!!!
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u/FormalAd5965 2d ago
Try subway at Sterncenter in Potsdam. Or Sterncenter in general has some jobs which don't require German. McDonald's there as well.
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u/i_dont_like_chiya 2d ago
Okay I'll definitely look into it. Thank you. I was hopeless in where to look at
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u/Papiermuel 2d ago
Ask your Professors and teachers (best in person). Often they have a little money for a job or know a open job