March 17, 2026 · Campus
Why practical experience during your studies is becoming increasingly important for starting your career
Starting a professional career does not always happen immediately after graduation. An increasing number of university graduates report a longer job search. One reason for this is that employers are placing greater emphasis on practical experience. At HWZ, the close integration of academic study and practical application has therefore always been a core part of our educational model.
The degree has been completed, the grades are good, and yet the first job fails to materialise. Increasingly, university graduates are finding themselves in exactly this situation. A recent SRF documentary vividly demonstrates how challenging it has become for even highly qualified graduates to enter the workforce.
At HWZ, degree programmes are deliberately structured differently. The bachelor’s programmes are designed to be fully compatible with professional employment. Students work at least 50 per cent during their studies and already have some initial work experience before starting their course.
Work and study do not take place one after the other, but run in parallel. From the very beginning, theoretical knowledge gained during your studies and practical experience from your professional life are closely interlinked.
This model is also gaining importance in light of current developments in the labour market.
The transition from university to the labour market is becoming more demanding.
A university degree continues to offer a significant advantage in the job market. In Switzerland, the unemployment rate among graduates is considerably lower than the national average.
At the same time, a more nuanced trend can be observed: the proportion of university graduates among unemployed individuals has increased in recent years. While it was around 26 per cent in 2022, it now stands at approximately 32 per cent.
These figures do not mean that a degree has lost its value. Rather, they indicate that the transition from study to employment has become more challenging for many graduates and, in some cases, takes longer than expected.
Why starting a career takes longer than it used to
Several developments are currently changing the conditions for entering the labour market:
The economic situation also plays a role. During periods of economic uncertainty, companies are often more cautious in filling entry-level positions or may already expect specific experience.
In addition, there is the digital transformation. Many professional roles are changing, and new skills are becoming increasingly important. Organisations are increasingly seeking employees who understand technological developments, think in an interdisciplinary way, and can quickly adapt to new areas of responsibility.
Another factor is the expectation of practical experience. Even for entry-level positions, many employers prefer candidates who have already gained insight into working life – for example, through internships, projects, or employment alongside their studies.
For graduates without relevant experience, entry can therefore be significantly more challenging.
The HWZ model: close integration of practical experience and academic study
This is precisely why it is becoming increasingly important to combine theoretical knowledge with practical application at an early stage—not only after graduation, but already during your studies.
At HWZ, this approach has been a core principle of the university since its foundation. The degree programmes are designed to enable students to combine their academic knowledge directly with professional practice – through consistently work-compatible study and practical projects drawn from real business contexts. Practical experience is not an optional element of the course, but an integral part of the educational concept.
Bachelor in Business Administration HWZ
Start September & March
Duration 8 semesters
Bachelor in Business Communications HWZ
Start September
Duration 8 semesters
Bachelor in Business Psychology HWZ
Start September
Duration 8 semesters
Bachelor in Digital Business & AI HWZ
Start September
Duration 8 semesters
The combination of study and professional work enables students to apply their knowledge directly in their daily working lives, while at the same time further developing their specialist, entrepreneurial and personal skills.
As a result, graduates do not leave the university with their first professional experience only after completing their studies; instead, they continuously build up this experience throughout their degree programme.
Career paths from practical experience
The tangible impact of combining academic study with practical experience is evident in the career paths of many HWZ graduates. They describe how they have used their studies alongside their professional roles to develop new skills, advance their expertise, and open up new career opportunities.
Some of these stories offer insights into different educational and career paths:
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These examples demonstrate that educational pathways today are often more individualised than in the past, and that a combination of academic study, practical experience and personal development can provide an important foundation for professional success.
How the labour market might develop in the future
Despite current challenges, the long-term outlook for qualified professionals in Switzerland remains fundamentally positive.
Demographic change will lead to more people leaving the workforce than entering it in many sectors. At the same time, technological developments are creating new fields of activity and professions.
For university graduates, this means that specialist knowledge remains important. However, the ability to apply knowledge, to continue developing, and to take on responsibility is becoming increasingly crucial.
A successful transition from university to professional life increasingly depends on how effectively academic education can be combined with practical experience.
FAQ
A degree generally improves one’s prospects in the job market. However, entering the workforce can still be challenging if employers already expect practical experience or specific skills.
Entering the workforce can take longer, especially in fields of study with less clearly defined career paths, such as the humanities or artistic subjects.
For many companies, practical experience is an important factor when selecting candidates. Internships, projects or part-time professional roles can help to ease entry into the workforce.
HWZ deliberately designs its degree programmes so that students can apply their theoretical knowledge directly in practice. Real-life case studies from businesses form an integral part of every bachelor’s degree.
