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A contribution by Pauline Dörrich for the project “What’s going on there?!” by students at h_da
Have you just completed your vocational training or university studies, or are you about to, and now want to start your career? Then the location of your future employer could play a crucial role. Every region in Germany has its own unique economic strength. We interviewed Robert Lippmann, CEO of the Darmstadt Rhine-Main-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), to find out which professions offer good career opportunities in Darmstadt and what the city's overall economic appeal is. So, is it worth starting your career in Darmstadt?
Career prospects: A strong job market
Darmstadt's economy is characterized by a high level of innovation. In the Prognos Future Atlas 2019, Darmstadt has the best future prospects and thus ranked first in the labor market category. Among the largest employers are the chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA, Software AG, and Deutsche Telekom.
Those of you who want to pursue a career in these fields have excellent opportunities in Darmstadt. Research institutions such as the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research and the Fraunhofer Institutes also offer diverse entry-level opportunities.
This is what Robert Lippmann from the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce says about the economic situation in Darmstadt:
There are good career opportunities in all sectors in southern Hesse, not just at the three well-known large corporations here in Darmstadt. Competition among employers for employees is intensifying, primarily due to demographic changes. As things stand today, there isn't enough young talent in the regional job market. Therefore, not every employer will be able to fill their open positions.
What are the current economic challenges in Darmstadt?
If I were to focus on Darmstadt specifically, I would mention three key points: First, there's the availability of land. The city is in high demand, and there's a shortage of commercial space that can be developed accordingly. This hinders economic growth, especially for companies looking to establish themselves in Darmstadt. Second, there's the transformation of city centers, which is also affecting Darmstadt – as demonstrated by the closure of Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof. And third, there's the shortage of skilled workers.
What makes Darmstadt attractive compared to the major economic city of Frankfurt?
The difference is that Darmstadt is considerably more manageable – in a positive sense. The density of contacts here is significantly higher, and access to large companies and institutions is much easier than in Frankfurt. Therefore, there are more open doors for young professionals in Darmstadt, and these open doors are also easier to find. Overall, Darmstadt is a city that operates on an equal footing. This means there is close cooperation between companies, universities, and the city, and the exchange between them is generally very open.
What advice would you give to those starting their careers?
I believe we have to prepare ourselves for the fact that economic uncertainty will be a permanent condition. When choosing a career, there will be no more security than what we currently have. A company that was once a recession-proof employer may not be tomorrow. For example, if you had previously gone to Google thinking it was a great and absolutely secure employer, that's no longer so clear. Google's business model has been called into question since artificial intelligence providers revolutionized internet search. This means for you: Figure out what kind of work you enjoy and where you feel you can truly connect. And very importantly: Keep an open mind.
How do you see the economic development of Darmstadt over the next five to ten years?
I believe that Darmstadt is ideally suited for positive economic development. This is because we have a very strong environment here, comprised of small and medium-sized enterprises, industry, research, and science, all working together in close collaboration. Thanks to our proximity to Frankfurt Airport, we have excellent infrastructure connections, meaning we have everything we need right here.
Featured image: Robert Lippmann is the CEO of the Darmstadt Rhine-Main-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Photo: IHK/Klaus Mai
This article was created as part of the "Was da los" project – a student-run newsroom run by students of the Online Journalism program at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da). DA.news supports the project and publishes selected articles on its platform. Further information and articles can be found here and at: www.was-da-los.de
