FAQ

• Bertelsmann Future Leaders

  • When does the graduate program start?

    Our graduate program for the Data Science and Creative Management track starts on September 1 of each year.

  • How does the graduate program work?

    After several days of onboarding at our Corporate Center in Gütersloh, you will start your first station and then change your location and join a new team every three to four months. During the course of the graduate program, you will regularly attend trainings and events. At the end of your time as a trainee, you will have lots of experience and skills, so you will be ready to take on responsibility and continue to grow.

  • Do I have to move during the graduate program?

    Yes, Bertelsmann will be happy to help you find a place to live, if necessary.

  • Can I complete the graduate program working from home?

    Generally, you should be prepared to move to the respective locations during the different stages of the graduate program. However, as your health is very important to us, the pandemic situation may require you to work from home.

  • Can I choose my own stations?

    Generally you can, but of course we make sure that you can actually work on an exciting project in the division you wish to go to during the period in question. We will be happy to support you in choosing your stations and stay in contact with you about the opportunities available to you within the Group.

  • Is the contract limited to the duration of the program?

    Yes, it is limited to 18 months for the Data Science and Business track and to 12 months for the Creative Management track. But, of course, we will support you in your search for a follow-up position within Bertelsmann.

  • What remuneration do I receive as a trainee?

    The remuneration is based on the market and depends on your area of work and your qualifications.

  • Can I also apply by e-mail?

    Please apply online only. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications by mail, fax or e-mail.

• Bertelsmann as an employer

  • Are there other graduate programs at Bertelsmann?

    RTL, the Arvato Group and SuperRTL also offer trainee programs for university graduates. Find more information here.

  • Which companies are part of Bertelsmann?

    Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the entertainment group RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato Group, Bertelsmann Marketing Service, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company has 165,000 employees worldwide and generated revenues of €20.2 billion in the 2022 financial year.

  • What values does Bertelsmann represent?

    Creativity and entrepreneurship are the core values that guide our actions. Through their interaction, they reinforce each other and thus form the cornerstones of our corporate culture, which is based on participation and partnership.

  • How does Bertelsmann ensure sustainable business?

    We want to be climate neutral by the end of this decade. The greenhouse gas emissions caused by the mobility of our employees and the manufacture of our products are to be reduced by 50 percent compared to 2018. We want to offset the remaining emissions through climate protection projects.

  • How does Bertelsmann want to develop in the future?

    We want to transform our company over the next five to ten years to be more growth-oriented, digital, international and diversified in the future. We want to achieve these goals by strengthening our core businesses, digital transformation, building growth platforms and expanding in growth regions.