goebbels took his abitur (school exams) in 1917. he was the best in his class. he gave a speech at the end of the school year. however, his headteacher said, that he would not become a good speaker. later, in 1917, goebbels studied ancient philology, history and german philology at the university of bonn. he received his phd in drama from the heidelberg university in 1921. in 1923, goebbels worked for the deutsche bank.