At the end of May 2025, Realschule plus Idar-Oberstein was transformed into a lively center for career and study orientation (BSO). The annual BSO Day took place under the leadership of Vice Principal and Career Choice Coordinator Julia Molter - a highlight of the school year that offered pupils practical insights into a wide range of professions. A varied program was put together in close cooperation with over 21 regional businesses and companies and regular planning meetings.
The aim of the BSO Day was to give the young people practical insights into various professional fields, to make contacts and to develop initial ideas for their own professional future. In a variety of workshops and presentations, the students were not only able to listen, but above all to become active themselves. Of particular importance was the direct exchange with trainees and young professionals, who gave the pupils authentic insights into everyday working life.
The craft area offered many exciting hands-on activities: At the Giloy company, small pieces of jewelry could be soldered and taken home - a delicate introduction to the world of goldsmithing. The company Lubig from Deuselbach let the young people build cell phone holders - a practical souvenir with a learning effect. The company Westnetz also brought along technology for the students to touch: Here the pupils learned how to lay simple electrical circuits.
The area of care was no less remarkable: the Pro Seniore senior citizens' residence from Kirchenbollenbach used impressive visual aids to illustrate what everyday limitations feel like in old age - for example, by putting on simulated glasses to simulate the vision of a person with cataracts. An official cooperation agreement was also signed between the Realschule plus Idar-Oberstein and the Pro Seniore senior citizens' residence. Vice Principal Julia Molter and Residence Manager Jürgen Thom sealed the future cooperation, which includes internship opportunities, joint projects and regular exchange formats.
A special highlight was the visit from the Bundeswehr, which was represented by a large contingent. Six impressive vehicles filled the schoolyard - provided by the Mainz Career Center, the artillery training battalion and the Bundeswehr training school. The pupils had the opportunity to find out about both military and civilian training opportunities and ask questions directly to the soldiers.
The day was also accompanied by the careers advice service of the employment agency and the transition coach, who regularly advises the young people at the school individually and supports them in their professional orientation. Principal Julia Molter was highly satisfied with how the day went: "The great response and the active participation of the pupils show how important such practical offers are. Only by trying things out and talking directly to experts can they gain a realistic picture of their own possibilities." The feedback from the students was also consistently positive. "I thought it was great that you could actually do something and not just listen," said one pupil from year nine.
It is a central concern for the school to ensure sustainable career guidance. For this reason, contact with companies is also maintained beyond the BSO Day. Internships and longer-term collaborations often result from this initial contact. Parents were also able to get in touch with the exhibitors during the last part of the event - an important part of further deepening the topic of career choice in families. "I thought it was really good that we parents were also invited. You often don't realize what opportunities are available after school. The companies went to a lot of trouble - especially because the children were allowed to try out a lot themselves," said the mother of an 8th grader.
Overall, the BSO Day represents an important building block in the holistic preparation for professional life - practical, individual and future-oriented. The event was therefore a complete success - a lively and varied step towards professional life for the young people at Realschule plus Idar-Oberstein, who would like to thank the following companies and institutions: Elektro Adam, Westnetz, Lubig, Zwetsch, Seniorenresidenz Pro Seniore, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Dein erster Tag, Juchem Group, Eiffage with the Bausprinter - Bau dein Ding, Giloy, Südwestdeutsche Hartsteinwerke Basalt-AG, Landesforsten Forstamt Birkenfeld, katholische KiTa-GmbH Trier, Trier Police Headquarters, Birkenfeld District Administration, Birkenfeld District Savings Bank, Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge, Günter Effgen GmbH, Artillery Training Battalion of the German Armed Forces Idar-Oberstein, Training School and Career Center Mainz of the German Armed Forces.