An internship or research project abroad, or at an international organisation in the Netherlands, is not only a fun and educational experience, but also an asset to your CV. Finding a suitable internship is your own responsibility. There are several useful websites for finding internships – you can find them here.

The coaches at Career Service FGGA will take you step by step through all the aspects involved in the labour market orientation so that you can get the best out of yourself. This workbook is full of tips, checklists, examples, and exercises to help you find the career that suits you.

The Mentor network is an online portal that allows you to get in touch with alumni (former students) of Leiden University. With the help of keywords and search filters you can search for an alumnus who can answer your questions. You can send him or her a mentor request. 

What to do after graduation or when you're about to graduate?
What are your options, where should you start your job search, and how can you boost your chances in the job market? At the university, we believe it’s important for young alumni to get off to a good start after graduation. That’s why you can access Career Services for career coaching for up to a year after completing your studies. Coaching with one of our career advisors is free of charge.

Our expert coaches are available year-round, no matter where you are in your academic or professional journey. With a team of four dedicated professionals – Charlotte Rosalie, Anne Christine de Haan, Annette Righolt, and Dick Hallegraeff – we bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help you discover and pursue your path.

Would you like to explore these questions further?
Sign up now for an individual career coaching programme. Our coaching programme consists of three interactive sessions, each lasting 1 to 2 hours, filled with insights and inspiration. Over the course of a few weeks, you will explore the following:

• Who am I? Discover your personality, values, and what truly drives you.
• What can I do? Identify your unique talents and skills to leverage in your future career.
• What do I want? Clarify your goals and ambitions and visualise your ideal career path.
• How will I achieve that? Develop an action plan to reach your goals and make your dreams a reality.

Sign up here!
Please note: Make sure to book all three appointments using the same reference number!

Career Service supports students and recent graduates in transitioning from their studies to further education, internships, or their first job.

Online CV-check 

Would you like to have your CV reviewed by a career advisor?
Make use of our email service.

How it works:

1. First, review the CV checklist to optimise your CV. You can find the checklist in the Career Workbook.
2. After making your own improvements and feeling satisfied with the result, send an email with your CV attached (PDF format only; no Word documents or images) to careerservice@fgga.leidenuniv.nl, with "CV check" in the subject line.

Important: Clearly indicate the job(s) you’re applying for (type of role + job title + link to the vacancy). This information helps us provide tailored feedback.

Events

We host various events to prepare you for the job market, including:

• Career Prep
• Meet the Employer
• Speed Networking with Traineeships
• Visits to organisations like the Ministry of Finance
• A trip to Brussels

Workshops

Career Services offers a year-round programme of workshops, such as:

• CV and Cover Letter Writing
• Job Interview Preparation
• LinkedIn and Networking
• How to Find a Job That Fits You
• What Do I Offer an Employer?
• …and more!

Career Advice

Are you curious about career opportunities after your studies? Unsure about your choice of study or master’s programme? Not sure where to start when looking for a suitable job? Book a personal consultation with the Career Service Governance and Global Affairs!

Career Guidance Sessions

A one-on-one meeting with a career advisor to discuss topics such as:

• Guidance on (re)choosing your study programme
• Planning your (study) career (e.g., part-time jobs, internships, extracurricular activities)
• Support with selecting a master’s programme
• Developing your personal profile (What do you know? What can you do? What do you want?)
• Exploring suitable roles and employers
• Finding networking opportunities
• Gathering information on roles and organisations
• Discussing career assessments
• Career consulting and coaching
• Reviewing your CV and cover letter
• Receiving tips on your LinkedIn profile
• Preparing for and practising job interviews

Internship and Job Vacancies

You can book an online appointment (via MS Teams or phone). Alternatively, contact us at careerservice@fgga.leidenuniv.nl. Please include a brief overview of your questions.

Practise Job Interviews

Job interviews aren’t something you do every day, so practising one can be invaluable. Sign up to practise and receive personalised tips and tricks.

Register: Select Job Interview Practise.

Career Consult

Are you feeling stuck in your career orientation? Have you attended workshops and taken tests in the CareerZone, but need further individual support? A career consult can help you move forward.

Register: Select Career Consult.

CV Coaching

Are you nearing the end of your studies or a recent graduate (within one year)? Have you applied for more than 20 positions without being invited for an interview? Let’s create a CV that will get you noticed!

Register: Select CV Coaching. This service is available only to students and alumni meeting the above criteria. Other students can make use of the CV Check service.

The golden idea. Well, we (almost) all want to discover it. We want to make the world a little better. And that starts with that very first wad you throw away. Because at PLNT, we believe that every idea deserves a chance. And yes, it starts with that first wad. Because that one wad, has inspired you to that ‘golden idea’. 

We challenge you to turn your inspiration into action, to dream without limitations and to believe in the power of your own ideas. Whether you have a passion for sustainability, social justice, technological innovation or something in between, at PLNT we provide the support and resources you need to make your ideas flourish and make an impact. Together, we can change the world. Together with our experienced team, but certainly with the PLNT Community. Your journey starts here, at PLNT. The centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.