Kaloyan – 3rd year Communication student
Meet Kaloyan Zay, a third-year Communication student. During his internship at ING Bank, he leveled up his skills in event planning and communication. One of his highlights? Organizing a campus event for over 300 people, which really shaped his career goals.
From Intern to Event Manager: My Experience at ING Bank
Internship Overview
It was a transformative journey of connecting people and organizing impactful events at ING Bank. I chose this internship because I wanted to learn from a large corporate organization and ING’s reputation for fostering young talent and offering a supportive work environment.
Challenges and Learning Moments
The most challenging part was adjusting to the proactive and dynamic work culture of ING and learning to manage multiple tasks independently and work in a one culture team – Dutch.
I overcame this challenge by embracing the company’s direct communication style and seeking feedback regularly. I learned the importance of self-confidence and taking initiative in a professional setting.
I learned the importance of self-confidence and taking initiative in a professional setting.
Growth, Success, and Advice for Future Interns
Highlights and Achievements
The internship sparked my interest in studying cultural and generational impacts on marketing strategies, especially through platforms like TikTok, and created my desire to work in a creative and engaging professional environment.
One memorable moment was successfully organizing a large campus event with over 300 people, which made me realize my potential in event management and networking.
Skills and Growth
I acquired skills in event planning, intercultural communication, filed analysis, stakeholder management and professional autonomy.
These skills will be invaluable in any future role that involves project management, teamwork, and strategic planning, particularly in fields like marketing and HR.
Advice for Future Interns
Be proactive and take initiative; don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek feedback regularly.
During one event, I arrived slightly later (but I thought it is very much on time) than my coach expected, which led to a valuable lesson in understanding the importance of over-communicating and being extra prepared. This taught me to always aim for exceeding expectations rather than just meeting them.
Final Thoughts
My internship was filled with enriching experiences, from organizing impactful events to working I collaboration with people from various departments and meeting many different needs and expectations. These experiences have clarified my career path, guiding me towards roles that involve creativity, strategic thinking, and extensive interaction with people.
