I’m Chris, 24 years old, and I live in The Hague. I study Human Resource Management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and I’m now in my final semester. At the moment, I’m doing my graduation internship in the HR department, specifically with Learning and Development.

Which department are you interning in and what kind of work do you do there?
I work one day a week within the team and spend the remaining three to four days on my research. This focuses on personal growth and how it can be better encouraged within the current training offering. We look at how to make it more visible, improve communication, and better respond to employees’ needs. In addition, I handle uploading certificates from external providers.

How do you experience working with your colleagues at Bilfinger?
The Learning and Development team consists of nine employees. Every two weeks we have an online “heads-up” meeting. I work most closely with two colleagues, with whom I have regular check-ins.

What do you think of the work culture and atmosphere at Bilfinger?
The atmosphere is different from what I expected, but I really enjoy it. It’s much more informal than I thought. I didn’t know Bilfinger before starting my internship and had a more corporate image in mind, since it’s a large international company. But the work environment is actually very open and accessible.

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?
My main task is conducting the research. I feel responsible for delivering a design and research report that the organization can actually use, clearly showing why personal growth is so important. I also try to start the conversation within the organization about this topic, especially on how to keep young talent engaged.

What is the most important thing you have learned during your internship?
I’ve learned how important personal growth is within an organization. I’ve also realized that you shouldn’t have preconceived ideas about a sector or organization. I wanted to work for a company I thought I would personally enjoy, but now I understand that the culture and organization are just as important.

How has this internship helped you develop your professional skills?
The internship has helped me with my personal branding and networking skills. I’ve learned how to make my voice heard, even if you’re only there for six months. That’s important if you want to be taken seriously within an organization.