European Marketing Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship at Intergraph. The placement provided an ideal balance between learning new skills, working hard and having fun at work.

I was made to feel initially very welcomed and later on valued as a competent and trusted colleague, something I believe to be imperative at work.

I felt I could always go to my manager if I needed help or reassurance about anything to do with work or even life in the Netherlands. Moving to a new work placement is never easy, especially in a foreign nation, but weekly meetings with my manager helped myself to ideally integrate.

Both short-term and long-term tasks were always set and if for whatever reason I felt I didn't have enough I could always ask and lend a hand elsewhere. Being asked to complete projects to present provided me with targets and goals to achieve.

Having integrated myself within the team and learned all about the softwares. products etc. I was made to feel as any other colleague did which was important. I felt as if I was assigned projects that were equal to other colleagues had which offered me more experience and responsibility which I enjoyed.

I learned so much during my placement, both from a technical and life perspective, and these skills cannot fail to help me further my career. My CV is now far more impressive having been taught much while undertaking a year placement abroad should hopefully stand out to future employers.

The modernisation of the office created a pleasant atmosphere at all times. If someone wanted to work alone or in silence they could go to the small private offices that are situated within. This creates an ideal dynamic. Being open plan, it's imperative that all colleagues get on and this was the case during my time there. Great balance between knowing when to knuckle down and work hard but also have a joke.

Everything from Intergraph's side was very well organised. All forms that needed to be completed and organised between University and Intergraph was done easily and without hassle.

I was trained extensively at the beginning of the placement which set me up for future learning and development.

If there were vacancies I'm sure it would be open for past interns but there wasn't after my time.

As the marketing team are very busy at both work and home, while also commute, it's often difficult to organise social events but with the right timings and location it is possible. But everyone got on great and smaller groups often went out. I chose Haarlem where rent was fairly average.

Expensive and inexpensive areas, depending on where you go. Amsterdam can be very expensive in all aspects but there are plenty of other towns/cities to live in fairly close proximity to the office. Good transport too.

While Hoofddorp itself has no nightlife, cities such as Leiden, Haarlem and Amsterdam are all within around half an hour which all have good nightlife. Of course, there are good and bad places within these cities so it's as good as you make it.