Career guidance that shapes the future: First Chemnitz Career Guidance Award presented
From left: Elisa Tutzky (Headteacher, Jöhstadt Secondary School; Chair of the Chemnitz School Management Working Group), Guntram Schönherr (Head of Human Resources, Sachsen Guss), Diana Strobel (teacher responsible for careers guidance at Terra Nova Campus), Dr Marcus Lange (Terra Nova Campus, teacher, project lead), Thomas Uhlig (school social worker at Terra Nova Campus/Entdeckerschule), Erik Schule (Headteacher, Reichenbrand Secondary School, Chair of the Chemnitz School Management Working Group).
How can young people make a successful start to their careers? The Terra Nova Campus e. V. support association demonstrates how practical career guidance empowers young people. It was awarded the inaugural Chemnitz Career Guidance Prize 2026 in recognition of its commitment.
At the heart of the award-winning project were two project days during which pupils prepared their application documents, had professional application photos taken and practised job interviews with business leaders. The direct feedback provided them with targeted preparation for the application process.
The prize, organised by the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Chemnitz working group, recognises outstanding career guidance initiatives and highlights best practice. In future, the competition is set to take place regularly and further strengthen collaboration between schools and businesses.
From left: Elisa Tutzky (Headteacher, Jöhstadt Secondary School; Chair of the Chemnitz School Management Working Group), Guntram Schönherr (Head of Human Resources, Sachsen Guss), Diana Strobel (teacher responsible for careers guidance at Terra Nova Campus), Dr Marcus Lange (Terra Nova Campus, teacher, project lead), Thomas Uhlig (school social worker at Terra Nova Campus/Entdeckerschule), Erik Schule (Headteacher, Reichenbrand Secondary School, Chair of the Chemnitz School Management Working Group).Picture: Tanja Schmidt
With this award, the working group recognises outstanding commitment to careers guidance and highlights innovative projects, initiatives and special contributions for young people.
The award went to the Terra Nova Campus e.V. support association, which impressed the judges with a practical project designed to prepare pupils for their transition into working life. Over two project days, young people in their final year of school put together their application documents, had professional application photos taken and practised for job interviews. Five senior executives from the business world conducted realistic job interviews and provided valuable feedback. This enabled the young people to gain practical experience and begin their job application process well prepared.
The prize was presented during a ceremony at the annual conference. It comprises a winner’s trophy, cast by pupils at the Sachsen Guss GmbH school foundry, two tickets to a Niners Chemnitz basketball match, and a media package including media coverage by the student advertising agency ‘SPRNGBRTT’.
The Chemnitz Career Guidance Prize was awarded for the first time this year and attracted a great deal of interest. The aim of the competition is to highlight exceptional commitment and to bring the importance of career guidance more firmly into the public eye.
The SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Chemnitz working group has announced that it intends to make the competition a regular feature in future. This is intended to ensure the ongoing recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of career guidance and to sustainably increase their visibility and profile. At the same time, the aim is to promote the exchange of best practice and further strengthen cooperation between schools, businesses and other stakeholders.
The SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Chemnitz working group would like to thank all participants and those involved for their commitment and warmly congratulates the winner on their award.
