After the Thesis

Type				Team Size
Collaborative Tools	Software	Personal Skills	Productivity Tools	1	2-10	11-30	30+

This entry elaborates on one aspect of How to write a thesis, which you can check out for an overview.

Congrats! You have completed probably one of the biggest challenges of your (academic) life. But what will happen now? We advise you to think about future plans way before you are finished with your thesis, such as finding a job or master. This can take some time and deadlines, especially concerning the latter, which may be over before you finish your thesis.

Key learning goals

🎯 How to find a Master's program or job

🎯 What documents you may need for the application process

Looking for a Master's program

During the Bachelor's thesis, a lot of time is spent on writing the thesis, but you should not forget to plan the next steps, such as applying for a Master's degree. For most Master's programs, the application period starts between May and June, but there are also universities that have even earlier application periods. Therefore, it makes sense to create an overview of the Master's programs you would like to apply for and by when. It will also help you not to be totally overwhelmed. Don't worry if you are not sure what you want to study. It can be beneficial to apply to many Master's programs and make your decision when you have been accepted to several programs. Sites like Studycheck can help you discover new Master's programs or do some research on the websites of universities in cities you find interesting. Dare to apply for master programs where you might be worried that you haven't completed the appropriate Bachelor's degree. In most cases, only a certain number of credits must be achieved when applying and the Bachelor's thesis does not have to be completed. Schedule enough time to prepare all the necessary documents (CV, current overview of grades, letter of motivation, etc.). This often takes longer than expected and sometimes the applications still have to be sent by post.

Preparing your documents to apply for a Master

You will need to submit a variety of documents to apply for a Master's program, which will differ depending on the university you apply to. It is crucial to know what you need to hand in and when to hand it in, with enough time left to prepare everything.

In the following some documents you will potentially need to apply for a Master's will be listed:

1. Transcript of Records

In most cases you will need to hand in a Transcript of Records, as proof of the courses you have completed and the grades and credits (ECTS) you received.

2. Bachelor Certificate

If you have already completed your degree and have received your bachelor certificate, this will need to be handed in as well. Most Master's programs only request you to hand in your certificate a few months after the program starts, so that you can apply without having finished your thesis/degree completely.

3. Language Certificates

If the program of your choice is offered in a language that is not your native language, in most cases you will need to submit proof of sufficient knowledge of that language to apply for the program. If your bachelor's degree contained courses in that language this could already be enough proof, but other times you will need to take an additional test like TOEFL or TOEIC. Test dates are often booked quite quickly and you should plan in enough time to retake the test, should you not get enough points in the first try. There are lots of free resources online to prepare for these tests, e.g on YouTube.

4. CV or resume

Some universities will require a formal CV or resume. Some universities have clear requirements for the CV, which you should follow. If there are no specific requirements for the CV, you can check out resources like this to get an idea on how to write your CV for a Master application

5. Letter of Motivation

Some programs will ask for a letter of motivation to accompany the application. Here you are required to show why you want to study at that particular university and that particular program and why you would be a good candidate. You can find tons of examples and templates for free online, here is one example.

Applying for a Job

If you want to start working after you finish your Bachelor, you will also need to start your search early. This will enable you to see what jobs could work for you and what you are qualified for. Asking your peers, friends and family for ideas and opportunities can help you a lot in this phase. Maybe 'someone you know knows someone who knows someone', having a network can make finding a job a lot easier.

There are specialized search engines for sustainable jobs, for example: Nachhaltige Jobs (German), Sustainability Jobs and Jobs (German).

The alumni network 23 Grad also is a great resource. Here you can connect with people who work in interesting jobs, learn about networking events and other opportunities.

It is also a good idea to keep track of interesting companies and other organizations, for example in Excel or Notion. This way you will have a growing list of jobs you are qualified for and interested in, even if you only use this list at a later time to find a job.

Preparing your documents to apply for a job

In most cases, you will need similar documents to those already mentioned above for the Master application. It is good to have these ready, especially if you are not yet sure whether you want to apply for a job, a Master or both. You will definitely need your Bachelor's certificate and/or Transcript of Records as well as a CV or resume and a Motivation letter.

There are a lot of great resources online on how to be successful when applying for a job and lots of templates for CVs, resumes and cover letters. Some links that may help you: Indeed Career Guide (UK), Indeed Karriere Guide (German), CV Template MS Office, Cover letter Template MS Office.

Celebration

What is most relevant is to look back at the experience and take stock. If you are done with your thesis, then you should not only celebrate with the outside world. Be cheerful, you made something remarkable for yourself, and contributed, if only a wee bit, to something so much larger. Personally, I remember how long ago I finished my Diploma thesis, and how many helped me along the way. Looking back at it, it seems like a small step now, but it was a big step then. As a supervisor said when a student had handed in their thesis: “A small step for you, but a big step for [hu]mankind.”

Celebrate with your friends, family, fellow graduates and anyone else who supported you during your thesis. You did it!

The author of this entry is Lya Meier-Diedrich