this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2023
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help w finding internship/part time without a degree yet (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/programming
14 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Basically, im trying to find a part time or an internship (im in germany, i dont mind remote though) because my university starts in April after i write my exams in December (and hopefully pass)

I have been programming as a hobby for a few years now, freelancing and whatnot, but now i wanna find a job for the next 6 months or more as i have nothing much to do till then

I cant freelance here anymore as i need a license which is a pain to gwt as a student i heard, and freelancing wouldnt make me enough money to survive as it would be hard to find jobs

Ive been doing python and rust, and i know C and Javascript well enough too I did the basics of arm assembly at some point for fun too(wasnt fun)

Basically, where do i go about finding any jobs? I have no leads

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Given that you're studying, apply to any software company as a "Werkstudent". You can work up to 40 hours per week during periods without lectures, up to 20 hours otherwise. The benefits of that versus normal employment are reduced taxes for you and the company. Companies usually do that and also invest in upskilling you in the hope of being able to hire you later. Look up different companies located close to you and just apply.

Source: I worked like that for a small webdev company and than a rather big company til 2021.

Out of curiosity, what license do need?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Out of curiosity, what license do need?

That depends a lot on the work that you do. If you are mainly developing simple software solutions, then you most probably need to register as a business. If you want to work really freelance (as in "Freiberufler"), you need to "proof" that your job overlabs in complexity with the defined framework for these Jobs. To quote the Bundesgerichtshof, software development may qualify ...

wenn komplexe Lösungen erarbeitet werden, die einer ingenieursähnlichen Herangehensweise bedürfen.

Having an engineering like degree will help with this a lot. If you don't have one, as is the case here, it will be tough to get the argument to pass with the IRS

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you for the answer!

I'd contact a tax consultant to decide which way to go (Freelancing or a registered business). They will also help you in case of problems with the Finanzamt.

You have to pay taxes (Gewerbesteuer) only if you're making more than 24500 € in profit. It does not sound like OP will make anywhere near that, so there's no harm in getting a "Gewerbeanmeldung" (registering a business) and being able to sell things as well. It costs 30-100 € depending on where you're living

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

so there's no harm in getting a "Gewerbeanmeldung"

Except that you will be on the IRS' radar for ever and ever, ie. tax declaration will be mandatory for you at the earliest possible time even if you stop being self employed or your business no longer exists

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You should submit a tax declaration regardless. Either it's required, or you'll most likely receive a refund. So no, there is no harm; on the contrary.

Since the original poster likely won't do this anyway, this discussion is pointless.

As a takeaway message: Just submit your tax declaration, even as a working student. In most cases, you'll get some money back. And send it to your Finanzamt (tax office), not the IRS. The US won't process your German tax declaration.

Cheers

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I did try and look around for some werkstudent jobs but almost all of them are java or c# (which im willing to learn, but don't know yet except like a hello world which isnt much)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's no need to be perfect. Just apply, you'll learn most on the job. Languages are just tools and most are similar, especially in the java, c#, js, python world. You can also take the initiative and apply to companies without open Werkstudent positions

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

tbf what i have learnt has all come from just doing stuff, either for self or friends or freelance jobs and so

I just assumed i shouldnt apply as i had no experience in them but i guess ill try anyway?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If the course of study isn't fixed, yet, you could look for a "Duales Studium" and ask the company to start earlier/asap - most likely they'll accept. But Werkstudent is probably better

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I have already picked Informatik, not dual for my first sem unfortunately

I did try and look around for some werkstudent jobs but almost all of them are java or c# (which im willing to learn, but don't know yet except like a hello world which isnt much)

[–] slmcrs 3 points 1 year ago

Idk how schools are outside of US but for here, it is very common for schools to hold career fairs where local companies can go to scope out students by their area of study. I would look into this to see if there is anything similar where you are. I was able to do this and get hired as intern while I completed university, they very flexible with my school schedule and I was able to build up 3 years of experience before I even graduated and once I did graduate I was able to transition to full time almost immediately.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Can't you just look for a hiwi job? Or are you looking for full-time?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Im not in the uni yet, i would start in around jan to april after writing my fsp in dec

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

If you are interested in CG/VFX jobs might be worth making connections at https://mailchi.mp/939092d591b8/vfx-stammtisch