A student who has landed a job at a company can call themselves a working student (Werkstudent). That brings many privileges and rights. Besides the chance to gain experience at a firm or a renowned company, the pay is also usually above average. The question that now arises is about any special rules and the most effective use of financial advantages. That's why we've briefly summarized what it actually means to be a working student and what to watch out for.

As an alternative to the mini-job, a student can look for a working student job. Thanks to the higher pay and, ideally, a direct connection to the degree, the path to the dream career is paved further. These jobs are tailored directly to students' needs, which means the employer isn't acting purely out of altruism but wants to make a good impression on possible future employees. This way the "apprentice" can also make first contacts in the industry in question. As for working hours, a working student can even work full time during the lecture-free period. During regular lecture periods, working time is limited to 20 hours a week.

Working hours and pay caps for the working student job

On the one hand, the working-hours limit is the state's way of ensuring that nobody abuses the system and illegally exploits the tax privileges. Anyone who exceeds this 20-hour limit over a period of more than 26 weeks automatically loses their special status as a working student. As a result, the full social insurance contributions become due all at once, which otherwise only have to be partly covered by the employee. On the other hand, a student also needs enough time and money to be able to concentrate on their studies. That's why the pay is considerably higher than for a comparable mini-job.

Pros and cons of a working student job

That the working student is exempt from social insurance contributions is among the most important financial advantages. For the employer, hiring a working student means being exempt from contribution payments for long-term care, health, and unemployment insurance. Both allow a correspondingly high salary. But a working student job also looks good on a résumé, and if you can also show a good reference letter, you can take home much more than just good money. With luck, after a working student job you can be taken on directly by the employer, or already build a solid professional network. These contacts can be very helpful for your own career. A rather disadvantageous point is that you're only partially exempt from pension insurance. But only if earnings stay below the 445 € mark over a longer period. If that's not the case, the rate is 9.75 percent of gross income. Mandatory contributions to long-term care and health insurance then apply as well. If earnings are below this limit, your BAföG entitlement is retained in full.