Dr. rer.pol.h.c. Frank-J. Weise
Former Chairman, Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
Brief Profile
Dr. rer.pol.h.c. Frank-J. Weise, born in 1951, served 13 years as an active officer in the German Armed Forces before pursuing a career in industry, holding executive positions at leading automotive suppliers including FAG Automobiltechnik AG, and co-founding Microlog-Logistics AG. From 2002 to 2017, he served on the Executive Board and later as Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency. He additionally led the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (2015–2016) and served as the Federal Government's Commissioner for Refugee Management. He has been awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, the Bavarian Order of Merit, and the Honour Cross of the Bundeswehr in Gold.
Statement
What do graduates need, in your view, to succeed in today's job market?
„In an increasingly competitive labor market, a good university degree alone is no longer sufficient. Successful early-career professionals are characterized by a combination of solid subject-specific expertise, relevant practical experience, and personal commitment. When entering the job market, companies are generally not looking for generalists, but rather for candidates whose academic profile, internships, and practical experience are clearly aligned with the respective field of work. International experience as well as involvement in volunteering, sports, or cultural activities additionally contribute to developing a versatile skill set and a distinctive personality.
However, this development process does not end with a successful entry into the workforce. In a rapidly changing working world, continuous further education becomes a crucial requirement for long-term professional success. Those who are willing to continuously acquire new skills and adapt to changing demands will remain successful in the future. Lifelong learning should therefore be understood as a shared responsibility between individuals and companies: employees must be prepared to invest in their own development, while employers should actively support continuous professional development through targeted training and qualification programs."
Dr. rer.pol.h.c. Frank-Jürgen Weise