When you have to start at a company for the first time, especially for a first internship, it can be pretty nerve-racking. To help potential future interns navigate through the business world and make the most out of their internship at Spryng, our current marketing intern Evy has spoken with other interns at Spryng. How do they experience their internship, what are their learning goals, and what tips do they have for you as a future intern? Let's take a closer look at how their first months at Spryng have been going.
Evy spoke with Marc, Johanna, Stijn, Emma, Kaj en Fien. They did internships in Business Development and Marketing, and Digital Marketing.
Onboarding: Warm welcome, smooth training sessions and enjoyable intro walks
From the moment they set foot in the office, all interns were greeted with a burst of enthusiasm and hospitality. The first week was a whirlwind of information, with many explanations, training sessions and presentations. Evy shares: "It was super hectic the first week with all this information thrown at you, but after things have settled down, you realise all that info was super helpful and necessary to better help you understand your tasks". At Spryng, they also place great value on a close-knit team, and even as an intern, you are immediately integrated into the team.
As part of the onboarding process, key colleagues take the time one-on-one to get to know you better through what they call 'introwalks' around the city center. "This way, you also get to know the surroundings of the office better! Very helpfull if you’re an international student!”, says Evy.
Diving into Spryng’s office culture
The Spryng team ensured that every aspect of their integration into the team was seamless, allowing them to dive headfirst into their internship journey. They try their hardest to create an environment that feels like home from the get-go.
A culture of inclusivity and collaboration
At Spryng, hierarchy takes a backseat to collaboration. Interns are not just welcomed but actively encouraged to share their ideas, voice their questions and opinions, and contribute to discussions. Whether it's chatting with a colleague over coffee or sharing insights about projects, everyone is approachable and eager to lend a helping hand. You can even simply walk up to Marc (the boss) and talk to him about whatever is on your mind. This flat hierarchy really creates a sense of friendship amongst everyone in the company and brings a level of comfortableness that empowers the interns, making them feel like valued members of the team from day one.
Team lunches, Thirsty Thursday’s and regular team outings
Another aspect that makes Spryng feel like home is that every day, everyone has lunch together provided by the company. This is a great way to connect with all the employees. As interns, you get the task of preparing the lunch together. "Even though this might sound like an annoying task at first, we have really grown to like it as we are really bonding with each other during the preparations. We also get the perk of controlling what is ordered for lunch and snacks each week. Fien: "We try out a new salad every few weeks and it's been really fun experimenting with it. My personal favorite is the goat cheese salad.”
Spryng goes above and beyond to ensure that interns feel valued and integrated into the team. At Spryng there are also a lot of spontaneous 'borrels', where everyone grabs a drink at the office after a good work day and chats about how their week has been. This may or may not escalate from time to time ;) Another fun event is 'Thirsty Thursdays', which is organized every last Thursday of the month. This is taking drinks at the office to the next level. We celebrate the work of the past month with themed food, drinks and music.
The importance of well-being and peace of mind
The four also say that the onboarding process was well-arranged before they even got there. "Everything was well thought out and planned to take good care of us." Spryng provides all new employees with the necessary means to thrive. Not only do you get a laptop, you also gain access to the OpenUp platform where you can talk to professionals for the different needs you might have (mentally or physically). Sara, the operations manager, also helps you immensely with everything before your arrival. She helps you with documentation, the practicalities of moving to Amsterdam (if needed) and much more. You already feel welcome when you are not even there yet.
Valuable learning experiences that you can take with you for life
At Spryng, you do more than just the tasks mentioned in the original vacancy. For Fien, Stijn and Johanna, whose focus is on sales, their journey involves not only interacting and pitching to customers but also delving into the intricacies of HR processes, support and more. Evy, immersed in the world of marketing, gains invaluable insights into various facets of the business, allowing her to develop a broad understanding of the industry.
Evy says: "I have learned to work with several tools like Hubspot, Wordpress, LinkedIn Campaigns and much more, which I think is important for a future job in marketing! If I have a question about something marketing-related like SEO, my mentor Kevin (Head of Marketing) is eager to teach me more about it." Stijn shares: " I notice that I am becoming more and more independent. From a sales perspective, an internship at Spryng is also particularly interesting. I have already gone through the entire sales process with several clients, from the beginning to the end." Learning is not confined to presentations; rather, it is a hands-on experience, with interns actively participating in tasks and projects, learning by doing, and seeking guidance whenever needed. As an intern, you’re treated as a junior, and that comes with a large variety of tasks and responsibilities.
Mentorship and celebration
Mentors play a crucial role in the interns' journey, offering guidance, support, and friendship every step of the way. Whether it's navigating a new project or celebrating milestones, mentors like Kevin (head of marketing), Anja (head of DACH), Naomi (head of Netherlands) and Sven (head of BeLux) provide amazing support, helping interns build confidence and develop essential skills. You work closely together with your mentors and they empower the interns to take ownership of their projects, offering them responsibilities and opportunities to shine.
Fien says: "I love that you can talk to your mentors and tell them what parts of the internship you like/dislike and they keep that in mind and give you more tasks that interest you." From pitching ideas to contributing to meetings with our mother company Commify in the UK, interns are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, unleashing their creativity and potential. Johanna shares: "I can truly say that no day has been the same here. There is so much variation in your tasks, you get involved in so much and the days go by so fast."
Flexibility with school projects
At Spryng, we believe that education is very important. That is also why our interns that need to do school projects during their internship, get supported by the whole team. Whether you need extra time to dedicate to your project or require insights and feedback, rest assured that the entire Spryng team is committed to assisting you every step of the way.
What previous interns had to say
Marc, the previous intern for the DACH sales position said: "Spryng was my best work-related experience so far for many reasons: First of all the onboarding process is very professional and prepares you well for your internship. Even at an intern stage, everyone treats you on eye level. Furthermore, Spryng taught me more about sales than I learned within the last few years, working in a sales department. And finally Spryng is having an outstanding company culture. Everyone takes care of each other, what made moving to a foreign country easy to me and very often the team is celebrating it's extraordinary success together." Emma, the previous Marketing intern adds: "Marc could not have said it any better. At Spryng, I really got the freedom to explore different tasks. This internship also helped me to figure out what exactly I wanted to do in my future career. Kaj, who joined Spryng as a Business Developer after his internship ‘Sales & Marketing’ and transitioned into a permanent team member shares the following advice: "Ask questions, take initiative, be eager to learn and embrace everything." This is advised to all interns and employees starting at Spryng, since innovation is the core of the business. Employees are always encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and to think outside the box.
Are you interested in an internship at Spryng? Have look here at our open internship positions.
In conclusion: we would highly recommend
Working as an intern at Spryng is more than just a job—it's an adventure filled with growth, friendship, and endless possibilities. From the warm welcome on the first day to the invaluable experiences gained along the way, Johanna, Evy, Stijn and Fien's journey at Spryng is a testament to the company's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. As they continue to explore and learn, they are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community.
