The Gap Year in Business Administration

Thanks to my involvement with the Mannheim Forum Accounting & Taxation (MaFAT), I became aware of the Business School’s Gap Year program at an early stage and was delighted to be given the opportunity to complete a one-year internship at Hilti. The program provides an ideal opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during my degree program directly in a practical setting. Already in my first months at the headquarters in Liechtenstein, I was able to gain valuable insights into international procurement and negotiations. I am now very grateful for the opportunity to travel to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, for four months starting in May, where I will help establish the Young Talent program and support the local department team on site. These international experiences make the Gap Year a unique and incredibly enriching experience for me.

Completing the Gap Year program was an invaluable opportunity that helped me clarify my professional direction after earning a broad-based bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I particularly appreciated that the organizational aspects were already taken care of, which allowed me to fully focus on finishing my studies during my final semester. The different internships enabled me to explore various career paths and gain a clear understanding of which professional environments suited me best. My final internship ultimately led to a full-time position with my current employer, where I am now proud to be part of a great team. I highly recommend the University of Mannheim’s Gap Year program to anyone seeking practical experience, clarity in their career path, and a smooth transition from university to professional life.

What I particularly value about the Gap Year is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across several core areas of Business Administration. Thanks to the University of Mannheim’s strong partnerships with leading companies, I have gained meaningful insights into dynamic and innovative industries. The program has significantly expanded my career perspective by providing in-depth exposure to different corporate structures and ways of working, opening up new professional opportunities along the way. Although it is still somewhat early to draw a final conclusion, as my Gap Year continues until the end of August, it has already proven to be the right decision for me.

I highly recommend the Gap Year program. This year has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. It allowed me to apply the knowledge I gained during my bachelor’s program in a professional setting while also developing new skills and perspectives. The Gap Year provides in-depth insights into a variety of companies and industries. It not only supports your personal and professional growth, but also helps you gain a clearer understanding of your own career interests.

I would describe the Gap Year in the Sustainability track at Volkswagen as a true “Champions League” experience. Working in procurement, in particular, provided me with hands-on experience and valuable insights at the highest professional level. My day-to-day responsibilities included multinational negotiations, demanding projects, and close collaboration within an exceptionally friendly, young, and highly competent team. Although I had previously completed several internships and gained substantial professional experience, nowhere else was I able to grow as quickly or take on such a high level of responsibility immediately after graduating.

The University of Mannheim’s Gap Year program is an outstanding opportunity, offering first-class internships at renowned companies as well as dedicated guidance throughout the year. One of its greatest strengths, in my view, is the chance to explore your professional interests while further developing essential soft skills. I chose a Gap Year with a focus on Accounting and Taxation, which allowed me to gain targeted experience in my field of interest. The opportunity to connect with potential employers and build professional relationships has significantly strengthened my career prospects. I would choose the Gap Year again without hesitation and highly recommend it to anyone seeking clarity and practical experience at the start of their career.

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was initially uncertain about my next career step. The Gap Year proved to be exactly the right decision, thanks to its outstanding partner companies and excellent organization. It allowed me to gain diverse practical insights and develop a strong interest in procurement. The experience I acquired during the program proved extremely valuable in subsequent application processes. Many interviewers were particularly interested in my Gap Year and impressed by the level of practical experience it offers within such a short period of time. I wish you every success and enjoyment in choosing your position—it is truly worth it.

The internships were all highly educational, and each placement was distinct, allowing me to fully achieve my goal of gaining a broad insight into tax advisory services.

I can already say that I have learned an incredible amount, both professionally and personally. The collaboration and team spirit within the company are outstanding, and I can already see how much these practical experiences are helping me gain greater clarity about my professional future. The exchange with colleagues is both engaging and truly enriching, and I am very grateful for the opportunity made possible through the Gap Year.

As an intern at several of the world’s leading auditing firms, I had the opportunity to closely observe the ongoing advisory services provided to national and international clients on a wide range of contemporary business matters, while developing significantly both professionally and personally.

The organization of the program was consistently excellent, even during two such uncertain and unpredictable years as 2020 and 2021. I am very pleased to see my professional and academic interests represented so excellently by the University of Mannheim.

The Gap Year fully reinforced my professional interests, and I am very grateful for the many insights, experiences, and connections I was able to gain throughout the program.

Truly outstanding. Even during the COVID period, communication with students was excellent, and even prior to that, the support provided by the coordinators was exceptional. Inquiries were handled promptly, and the overall organization of the Gap Year was highly efficient and incomparable to other programs.

The support was excellent. I was met with great understanding, and even unusual or exceptional requests were always taken seriously and accommodated as best as possible—something I do not take for granted.