“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Students are faced with this question early on. This is exactly where effective career and college guidance comes in.

The Josef-Schwarz-Schule was awarded the 2026 BoriS Career Choice Seal of Baden-Württemberg. The seal recognizes schools that prepare their students for vocational training, higher education, and careers through specialized and sustainable programs.

This award confirms an approach that views career guidance as a process that supports young people over the course of several school years.

As early as middle school, students in the WBS courses Economics, Career, and College Guidance explore the question:

What’s the right fit for me, both professionally and personally?

This includes, among other things, insights into regional companies, optional participation in Girls’ & Boys’ Day, and a career internship in 9th grade.

At JSS College, this path is consistently continued.

An important component is Career Day. Here, students learn about various degree programs, vocational training paths, and career fields. They engage in conversations with professionals in the field and gain concrete insights into possible future paths.

This program is supplemented by BeSt seminars, college open houses, internships, career fairs, and collaborations with companies and other partners in the region.

Career preparation is also firmly integrated into classroom instruction and learning methods.

Computer science can be chosen as an advanced course at JSS College. Students engage with programming, software development, and digital team projects. In the process, they also learn methods from agile project management, such as Scrum.

In economics, students work with simulations and business games. They develop business ideas, participate in competitions, or put entrepreneurial thinking to the test in student-run companies.

In the natural sciences, they conduct experiments, work on long-term research projects, and learn to formulate scientific questions and evaluate results.

At the same time, the college encourages independent work.

“Quiet Space” zones provide a quiet environment for focused learning. Teamwork spaces support collaborative work, discussion, and problem-solving.

Communication skills, leadership, and resilience are also important. That’s why a career coach guides students throughout their college years and equips them with practical tools for college and their future careers.

This fosters career guidance that empowers young people to pursue their own path with confidence and thorough preparation.