Werkstudent UX (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Werkstudent UX (m/w/d)

Company: Deutsche Telekom Group (rola Security Solutions GmbH)

Location: Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Job Type: Part-Time, Internship

Category: User Experience (UX Design)

Date Posted: 2025-06-12T00:00:00

Experience Level: 0-2 years (Student)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Contribute to the product management team, focusing on enhancing user experience and user interface design.
• Gain hands-on experience across various UX disciplines within real-world projects.
• Develop foundational UX design artifacts such as wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and templates.
• Support the harmonization of product interfaces, interactions, and terminology for consistency and usability.
• Participate in analyzing user data to inform design decisions and generate actionable UX recommendations.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of design systems to ensure scalability and consistency.
• Provide general organizational and supportive assistance to the UX team, contributing to overall project efficiency.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with senior UX/UI experts within the product management team on various design initiatives.
• Create and refine wireframes, interactive prototypes, detailed user flows, and reusable design templates using industry-standard tools.
• Analyze user behavior data and feedback to identify pain points and opportunities for UX improvement.
• Translate user research findings and business requirements into tangible design concepts and solutions.
• Contribute to the standardization of user interface elements, interaction patterns, and terminology across multiple products.
• Actively participate in the creation, documentation, and maintenance of the company's design systems and style guides.
• Support the planning and execution of user testing sessions and gather qualitative and quantitative feedback.
• Assist with project documentation, meeting preparation, and other organizational tasks to ensure smooth team operations.
• Stay informed about the latest UX/UI trends, design patterns, and industry best practices, particularly in the security solutions domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled student in Media Informatics, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, or a comparable field of study. A strong academic record demonstrating an understanding of UX principles is beneficial.

Experience: 0-2 years of relevant experience, ideally through academic projects, personal projects, or previous internships. A portfolio showcasing understanding of the UX design process is highly recommended.

Required Skills:

• Foundational understanding of User Experience (UX) principles and methodologies.
• Familiarity with User Interface (UI) design concepts and best practices.
• Ability to create wireframes, user flows, and basic prototypes.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, particularly in German (very good proficiency required).
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated curiosity and eagerness to learn new tools, techniques, and industry knowledge.
• A proactive and self-assured demeanor, comfortable presenting ideas and contributing to discussions.
• Commitment to inclusive design principles, considering the needs of diverse user groups.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience with design and collaboration tools such as Balsamiq, Confluence, and Jira.
• Experience with creating interactive prototypes using tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Basic understanding of user research methods and data analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with design systems and their application in product development.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include academic or personal projects that demonstrate your understanding of the UX design process.
• Showcase examples of wireframes, user flows, and basic prototypes you have created.
• Present at least one project as a case study, detailing the problem, your approach, and the outcome.
• Highlight your contribution to team projects, if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Document your design process, including any research or discovery steps taken (even if basic).
• Explain your ideation process and how you arrived at your design solutions.
• Describe any testing or validation methods used, even if informal.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a Werkstudent (working student) in Germany, compensation typically ranges from €12 to €18 per hour, depending on experience, specific responsibilities, and the collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag) if applicable. Given Deutsche Telekom's size and industry, the compensation is likely competitive within this range for the Oberhausen area. (Estimate based on German student worker compensation benchmarks and regional cost of living.)

Benefits:

• Flexible Arbeitszeiten (Flexible Working Hours): Offers adaptability to manage work commitments alongside academic schedules.
• Mobiles Arbeiten (Mobile Working): Provides the flexibility to work remotely, supporting a hybrid work model.
• Gute ÖPNV- und Autobahnanbindung (Good Public Transport and Highway Access): Facilitates easy commuting to the Oberhausen office location.
• Kantine, Bäckerei und Schnellrestaurants in unmittelbarer Nähe (Canteen, Bakery, and Fast Food Restaurants Nearby): Provides convenient options for meals during working hours.
• Telekom und Partner Mitarbeiterrabatte (Employee Discounts with Telekom and Partners): Access to various discounts on Telekom products and services, and potentially other partner offerings.
• Veranstaltungen (rola-Stammtisch, Firmenfeiern, jährliche Teamevents) (Events - Company Gatherings, Annual Team Events): Opportunities for social interaction, team building, and integration into the company culture.
• Übergang in ein unbefristetes Arbeitsverhältnis nach Abschluss des Studiums ggf. möglich (Possibility of Transition to a Permanent Position After Graduation): Potential for long-term career opportunities within the company upon successful completion of studies and performance in the role.

Working Hours: The role is for a "Werkstudent," which typically implies part-time work alongside studies. The standard working hours for a working student in Germany are usually up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks. The specific hours will likely be flexible to accommodate academic commitments.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Telecommunications and IT Security. Rola Security Solutions, a subsidiary of T-Systems International GmbH (part of Deutsche Telekom Group), specializes in information management for security agencies. This context suggests a design culture that prioritizes security, reliability, and potentially complex data visualization and interaction patterns.

Company Size: Deutsche Telekom Group is a large public company with over 350 employees at rola Security Solutions GmbH. As a large organization, the design team likely operates within established processes and structures, offering stability and opportunities for learning within a professional environment.

Founded: Rola Security Solutions GmbH was founded in 1983. This long history in the security sector implies a deep understanding of the domain and potentially a mature approach to product development, including UX.

Team Structure:

• The role is embedded within the product management team, indicating close collaboration with product owners, developers, and potentially other stakeholders like business analysts.
• You will work directly with experienced UX/UI experts, suggesting a mentorship or guidance structure within the team.
• The team likely follows a cross-functional approach, where design is integrated into the product development lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Given the product management context and the mention of analyzing user data and creating design artifacts, the team likely employs a user-centered design approach.
• The use of tools like Confluence and Jira suggests agile methodologies are likely in place for project management and tracking.
• Design processes may involve user research (even if basic for a student role), ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

Company Website: https://rec.telekom.com/job/Oberhausen-Werkstudent-UX-%28mwd%29/1213480501/ (Link to the specific job posting)

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is an entry-level student position ("Werkstudent," Karrierelevel 02 - Studierende). It is designed for students to gain practical experience in UX design while completing their studies. The focus is on learning, supporting the team, and developing foundational skills.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a more senior UX/UI expert or a product manager within the rola Security Solutions product management team. This structure provides direct guidance and integration into the team's workflow.

Design Impact: As a Werkstudent, your impact will primarily be in supporting the team's efforts to improve the usability and consistency of security software products. Your contributions to wireframes, prototypes, and design systems will directly influence the user interface and interaction design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Skill Advancement: Opportunity to develop practical skills in wireframing, prototyping, user flows, and potentially user research and data analysis under the guidance of experienced professionals.
• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience working within the specific domain of security solutions, a complex and specialized area of design.
• Team Collaboration: Learn how to work effectively within a cross-functional product team, collaborating with developers, product managers, and other designers.
• Potential for Full-Time Employment: The job description explicitly mentions the possibility of transitioning to a permanent position after graduation, offering a clear potential career path within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office-based with a hybrid work option. The primary location is Oberhausen, Germany. The work environment is likely professional and collaborative, typical of a large technology company subsidiary.

Office Location(s): Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The description mentions good public transport and highway access, indicating a well-connected location.

Design Workspace Context:

• The office environment likely provides dedicated workspaces and access to necessary design tools and software.
• Collaboration spaces may be available for team meetings, workshops, and design critiques.
• Being co-located (even in a hybrid model) allows for direct interaction and spontaneous collaboration with the design team and other colleagues.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered to accommodate academic schedules. As a Werkstudent, the weekly hours will be part-time during the semester, with the possibility of increasing hours during breaks. Mobile working is also an option, providing flexibility in where work is performed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submit your application including resume and potentially a cover letter highlighting your interest in UX and relevant skills.
• Portfolio Review: Your academic or personal portfolio showcasing your UX understanding and projects will likely be reviewed by the hiring team.
• Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews, potentially with members of the product management team and the UX/UI experts you would be working with. These interviews will likely assess your understanding of UX principles, your motivation, teamwork skills, and cultural fit.
• Discussion of Experience and Skills: Be prepared to discuss your academic background, any relevant project experience, and your proficiency with design and collaboration tools.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on showcasing your understanding of the UX process, not just the final visual design.
• For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your design approach, and your role in the project.
• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to demonstrate your hands-on design skills.
• If you have limited experience, highlight academic projects, personal projects, or online course work that demonstrates your passion and foundational skills in UX.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a formal design challenge is not explicitly mentioned for a Werkstudent role, be prepared to discuss hypothetical UX scenarios or explain your approach to solving a simple design problem.
• Review basic UX principles and be ready to articulate how you would apply them.

ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: User Experience, UX Design, User Interface Design, UI Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Flows, Design Systems, User-Centered Design, Inclusive Design, Data Analysis (UX), User Research, Usability, Interaction Design, Visual Design (basic), Information Architecture.
• Tools: Balsamiq, Confluence, Jira, Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP, Zeplin.
• Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Design Thinking, Lean UX, Waterfall (less likely but good to know).
• Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Learning Agility, Proactive, Self-Assured, German (very good), English (beneficial).
• Industry Terms: Product Management, Security Solutions, Software Development, Enterprise Software, B2B Software.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Balsamiq (Preferred): Experience with this low-fidelity wireframing tool is explicitly mentioned as a preference, suggesting it's likely used for initial concepts and structural design.
• Prototyping Tools (Implied): While not specified, tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision are commonly used for creating interactive prototypes to communicate design ideas.
• Other Design Software (Implied): Depending on the specific tasks, familiarity with graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) might be beneficial for visual design support, although the primary focus is on UX.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Confluence (Preferred): Experience with this documentation and collaboration tool is preferred, indicating its use for project information, design specifications, and team knowledge sharing.
• Jira (Preferred): Experience with this issue tracking and project management tool is preferred, suggesting its use for managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with development teams.
• Handoff Tools (Implied): Tools like Zeplin or InVision Inspect might be used for handing off design specifications to developers, ensuring accurate implementation.

Research & Testing:

• User Data Analysis Tools (Implied): Tools or methods for analyzing user data to derive insights are likely used, though specific tools are not mentioned.
• Testing Tools (Implied): Platforms for conducting usability testing or gathering user feedback might be utilized.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centered Approach: The emphasis on creating "outstanding user experiences" and analyzing user data indicates a strong focus on the user in the design process.
• Inclusivity: The explicit mention that "good design must be inclusive and consider the needs of all people" highlights a commitment to accessibility and designing for diverse user groups.
• Collaboration: The requirement for "joy in working together in a team" and working closely with UX/UI experts and product management points to a collaborative team environment.
• Continuous Learning: The emphasis on "curiosity" and "learning willingness" suggests a culture that values growth and staying updated on design trends and technologies.
• Commitment to Mission: Identifying with the company's mission and products (in the security domain) is valued, indicating a focus on purpose-driven design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Working within the product management team implies close collaboration with product owners, developers, and potentially other roles.
• Team-Oriented: The value placed on teamwork and working together suggests a supportive and collaborative atmosphere within the design team.
• Feedback Culture (Implied): A healthy design culture typically involves critique and feedback sessions to improve design outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Designing for a Specialized Domain: Working in security solutions presents unique challenges related to complex data, user trust, and potentially strict regulatory requirements.
• Balancing User Needs with Security Requirements: Finding the right balance between creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces while maintaining high levels of security can be a significant challenge.
• Working within a Large Organization: Navigating processes and structures within a large company like Deutsche Telekom/rola Security Solutions may require adaptability and strong communication skills.
• Contributing to Design Systems: Maintaining and contributing to a design system requires attention to detail and an understanding of scalability and consistency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in Security UX: Gain valuable experience and potentially specialize in the niche but important field of designing for security software.
• Mentorship from Experts: Learn directly from experienced UX/UI professionals within the team.
• Exposure to the Full Product Lifecycle: Working within product management provides exposure to how design fits into the broader product development process.
• Potential for Permanent Role: The possibility of transitioning to a full-time position offers a clear path for continued growth within the company after graduation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through a design project from your portfolio, explaining your process from understanding the problem to arriving at a solution.
• Discuss how you approach creating wireframes and prototypes and the purpose they serve in your design process.
• Explain how you would approach analyzing user data and using it to inform design decisions.
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of user flows and their importance in mapping user journeys.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research rola Security Solutions and Deutsche Telekom's values and be prepared to discuss how you align with them, particularly regarding inclusivity and commitment to their mission.
• Ask questions about the team structure, how designers collaborate with product managers and developers, and the typical workflow.
• Inquire about opportunities for learning and professional development within the team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 1-2 projects that best showcase your understanding of the UX process and your ability to create basic design deliverables (wireframes, flows, prototypes).
• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process steps, and the outcome or learnings.
• Be prepared to explain your design decisions and rationale.
• If you have limited professional experience, highlight academic projects or personal case studies that demonstrate your skills and passion for UX.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link on the Deutsche Telekom careers portal.
• Prepare a resume that highlights your academic background, relevant coursework, any previous internship or project experience, and your proficiency in German.
• Create or refine your design portfolio, focusing on academic or personal projects that demonstrate your understanding of the UX design process, including wireframes, user flows, and prototypes.
• Tailor your cover letter (if submitting one) to express your specific interest in UX design within the security solutions domain at rola Security Solutions/Deutsche Telekom and how your skills and interests align with the role's requirements.
• Research rola Security Solutions and Deutsche Telekom to understand their business, products, and values, particularly in the context of security and design.