We are two student staff members working for Students at Work|Campus Office with the support of the University-Trade Union Cooperation Office, the DGB member unions ver.di, IG Metall, IG BCE and GEW, and DGB Youth. Students at Work|Campus Office (formerly the HIB University Information Office) was set up to make trade unions more accessible to students.

After all, students are also workers: in their future jobs, in part-time work alongside their studies, and on work placements. Almost three-quarters of students have to work alongside their studies. Whether as university assistants, as freelance staff in adult education, or as short-term or long-term part-time workers – students have long been a source of cheap and flexible labour for local labour markets. Trade unions campaign to improve working and living conditions, including those of students. 

Furthermore, as the transition into working life often takes place via work placements these days, there is a high risk that students and young graduates will be exploited. Gaining practical experience whilst studying is beneficial and important. However, such experience should lead to further qualifications, be supervised by experts and be adequately remunerated. The reality, however, is quite different: unpaid and lengthy work placements are widespread. Here, too, trade unions can support students and champion their interests.

Furthermore, we see trade unions as an emancipatory force in society and aim to contribute to a critical examination of the existing conditions through lectures and workshops at universities and universities of applied sciences. As universities are places of education and training, students must engage critically with the quality of research, teaching and supervision. Advocating for a good education at higher education institutions does not mean (or at least not only) trying to improve individual prospects on the labour market. It also means asking questions such as: Can an academic degree actually be reduced to labour-market-oriented vocational training? Which skills and subject matter are taught, how and why? How do students want to work, learn and live?

Students at Work|Campus Office has been operating in Oldenburg with a changing team since 2006. Here’s how to get in touch: Contact

We are two student employees working for Students at Work|Campus Office with the support of the Kooperationsstelle Hochschule Gewerkschaften (Cooperation Office for Universities and Trade Unions), the DGB-affiliated trade unions ver.di, IG Metall, IG BCE and GEW, and DGB Jugend (DGB Youth). Students at Work|Campus Office (formerly HIB Hochschulinformationsbüro) was set up to make trade unions more accessible to students.
 

Because students are also employees: in their future job, in a job alongside their studies, or on an internship. Almost three-quarters of students have to work whilst studying. Whether as university assistants, as freelancers in adult education, or as short-term or permanent part-time employees – students have long been a cheap and flexible labour pool for local labour markets. Trade unions are campaigning to improve working and living conditions, including for students.
 

Because entry into working life today often takes place through work placements, there is also a high risk that students and recent graduates will be exploited. Practical experience gained whilst studying is valuable and important. However, it should lead to further qualifications, professional support and appropriate pay. The reality, however, is different: unpaid and long-term work placements are widespread. Here, too, trade unions can support students and champion their interests.
 

Furthermore, we view trade unions as an emancipatory force in society and wish to contribute to the critique of existing conditions through lectures and workshops at universities and universities of applied sciences. As universities are places of education, students must engage with the quality of research, teaching and supervision. In this context, advocating for a good education at universities does not (or at least not only) mean trying to improve individual prospects on the labour market. It also means asking questions such as: Can academic studies really be reduced to vocational training geared towards the labour market? Which skills and subject matter are taught, how and why? How do students want to work, learn and live?

Students at Work|Campus Office has been operating in Oldenburg with a changing team since 2006. Here’s how you can contact us: Contact