Connections that count: global employers meet emerging talent at Career Days 2026
BMW, Amazon, Saab and Acronis were among more than 30 companies that joined Career Days, Constructor University’s signature career fair, which featured two full days of in-person and online events this February. Participants had the opportunity to network and connect with some of Europe’s top employers at the main exhibition, while also taking in a full program of workshops and panel discussions hosted by business leaders, alumni, faculty and entrepreneurs.
Career Days kicked off on February 4 with its signature career exhibition held in the university’s Conference Center, featuring booths from major companies like Amazon and Intersnack, Constructor Group affiliates, and organizations like Women in Aerospace Europe. Event-goers had their professional portrait shots taken at the photobooth, received personalized coaching and resumé feedback from Constructor University’s Career Services team, and sat in on half a dozen career-related workshops. Popular topics included a session on “decoding” German work culture for international students, getting hired in the AI era, and “Building things people actually want,” which focused on helping engineers and scientists bridge academic projects into market-ready solutions.
“Our goal as a university is not just to educate our students. It’s also imperative that we give our students access to the tools, skills, and resources to succeed in their careers,” said Constructor University Provost Frazer Cairns in his opening remarks to attendees. “After all, what good is an education if you can’t apply it to your future?”
University Chancellor Turgut Tülü seconded the value of events like Career Days for helping students bridge from academic to professional life, and emphasized that chance plays a smaller role than many assume. “We know successful careers are built through skills, persistence, and most importantly, connections. Connections are exactly what these Career Days are about: bringing our students together with companies from the region, our wider ecosystem and our global alumni community,” said Tülü. “We aim to teach our students to translate knowledge into impact, ambition into opportunity, and talent into meaningful careers. Events like this one play an important role in making that happen.”
Bridging Campus and Industry
This year, Career Days included a second, full day of online presentations hosted by global companies like BMW and the Fricke Group, science and tech startups, and educational institutions like Nexford University. Ishansh Gupta, AI Strategy Lead at BMW Group and a post-doctoral researcher and lecturer at Constructor University, delivered a presentation on careers at BMW and underscored the value of the event for both students and employers.
“Career Days creates visibility on both sides: students gain insight into real expectations, and companies connect with motivated individuals who may become key contributors to specific teams and projects,” said Gupta. “Being both part of BMW Group and closely connected to the Constructor community gives me a dual perspective on how valuable these platforms are. Constructor University’s strong science and technology focus, combined with its diverse and international student body, creates a powerful pipeline of globally minded, analytically trained talent. For companies operating in highly competitive environments, access to such talent is essential.”
Gupta’s core message to the more than 100 students who attended his virtual session was simple: be brave and take initiative. “Many talented individuals hesitate to apply to large companies, assuming the requirements are out of reach. My advice is straightforward: apply! There is no single ‘perfect’ profile, so focus on the fundamentals: keep your LinkedIn profile updated, build a clear portfolio, highlight practical projects and communicate your skills confidently. Show how you can contribute to solving real problems,” he said.
Particularly in a time when students and others just starting their careers may feel uneasy about economic uncertainty both in Germany and abroad, Gupta underscored the importance of persistence. “For international students looking to build a career in Germany or Europe, my advice is stay proactive, remain adaptable, build tangible experience and take the first step: opportunities often begin with the decision to put yourself forward,” he said, while also highlighting the unique opportunities available through Constructor University’s interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial and international campus.
"Participating in career fairs, hackathons and campus events offers direct exposure to industry professionals and helps bridge the gap between academia and real-world application. In a competitive and sometimes uncertain economic environment, resilience matters. What candidates can control is their preparation: continuously updating their skill set, working on relevant projects, and staying aligned with rapidly evolving industry demands,” added Gupta.