„The age of prefabricated careers straight off the drawing board is over. If you are looking for the freedom to create your career, you’ll find it here.“

Bertelsmann Future Leaders
Graduate Program
Do you have what it takes to be a Future Leader?
The media are subject to constant change, and with it the world of Bertelsmann is spinning faster and faster. We're looking for people who can actively frame this change with fresh ideas and leadership. With our Bertelsmann Future Leaders Graduate Program, we prepare graduates and young professionals to take on responsibility and gain experience while shaping the future.
If you want to grow with the challenges of a global corporation, if you want to be at the forefront of the media business, and if you enjoy creating new things, you have what it takes to become a Future Leader. With our graduate program, we offer you everything you need to shape the world in the future.
Your advantages as a Future Leader
- Insights into the world of Bertelsmann
- Various rotations abroad
- Large career network and events
- Supportive trainee community
- Tailored training and career coaching
Data Science, Creative Management Business?
The transformation of our world has a lot to do with digitalization, big data and machine learning. We thus count on experts who have the skills to turn data into insights and recommendations for action. As we need fresh, innovative ideas to keep pace with change, we are increasingly counting on creative minds with humanities and social science degrees in leadership positions. And, of course, we need talented entrepreneurs who will develop and implement business concepts.
The Bertelsmann Future Leaders Graduate Program therefore entails three tracks:
Your application
The application process
-
1.
Apply online -
2.
Take part in an online test -
3.
Prove your potential in interviews and an assessment center -
4.
Start as a Future Leaders Trainee
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.
-
Contact
Do you have questions about the Bertelsmann Future Leaders Graduate Program?
Get in contact with Steffi Heldberg (s.heldberg(at)bertelsmann.de) and Kai-Uwe Krotoschak (k.krotoschak(at)bertelsmann.com), they are happy to help!
Please note that we cannot consider applications by mail, fax or e-mail.