At Rebain International Spain, we are always proud to have a committed and constantly developing team. On this occasion, one of our colleagues has had the opportunity to interview Yannick van Baardewijk, a young professional who, in addition to working in our company, is studying Marketing and Advertising. Through this conversation, Yannick shares with us how he has managed to balance his academic training with his professional career, his most valuable learning within the company and his long-term aspirations. Don’t miss this inspiring interview!
How have you combined studies and work, and what strategies have you used to perform well in both areas?
To be able to combine my studies with my work, I have had to find the method that is most comfortable and practical for me, mainly to have everything written down in a Trello (an online platform that can be used as an agenda), as this way I can check the dates of deliveries, exams, etc; at any time from my phone and thus not leave it to the last minute.
In the areas you have worked in since you have been with the company, which of these have you found most interesting, and in which do you see yourself developing in the long term?
Since I’ve been with the company, the main areas I’ve worked in have been logistics and accounting. Of these two departments, the one I’ve found most interesting is the accounting department, as everything is more ‘mechanical’ and once you understand the process it’s easier. In the case of the logistics department, it has been more difficult for me as working only a couple of hours a day is not enough time to be able to follow up on an order.
The area in which I would like to develop in the long term would be sales, but as I still don’t have enough time to be able to follow up on an order, I want to understand the other areas well first.
How have you been able to apply the knowledge you acquired in your Marketing and Advertising studies to your daily work in a chemical company?
Although my studies are in Marketing and Advertising, I have found that many of the concepts I am learning apply to my daily work. For example, everything that comes with working in a team, the importance of communication, Microsoft applications, etc.
Also, working in a company gives me a better understanding of how a business works and how decisions are made.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenge you have faced since you started working at Rebain International Spain?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced has been adapting to a new accounting system and understanding the whole order procedure.
In the beginning, it took some getting used to, but thanks to the support of my colleagues, I managed to understand how the system and the orders work.
How would you describe the work dynamics within your team?
The logistics and accounting team is very close-knit and collaborative with the sales department. They value communication very much, as this tool makes the work much easier and saves a lot of time. I also enjoy learning from my colleagues and sharing knowledge with them.
Can you share a project that has been carried out and that has allowed you to learn and grow significantly?
One of the projects that I enjoyed the most was the implementation of a new management system so that we could digitalize and obtain the necessary information in a much shorter time. This project allowed me to learn new skills in Excel.
Also, it was very rewarding to see how the new system improved the efficiency of our department.
What motivates you to continue working at Rebain International Spain even though your studies are in Marketing and Advertising?
I am motivated to continue working at Rebain International Spain because it is a company that offers me opportunities for growth and development. In addition, I like the working environment and the values of the company, which in my opinion is a very important aspect of a company.
what skills would you like to develop in the future to achieve your professional goals?
One of the skills I would like to improve in the future is communication skills, as nowadays almost all communication is in writing, whether it is from email, WhatsApp, etc; it is more difficult for me to empathize with the other person.
I am also interested in learning more about artificial intelligence and its application in business, as I think it can be used in many ways to streamline some processes.
How do you keep up to date with the latest trends?
To keep myself updated on the latest trends, I like to follow experts’ accounts on LinkedIn and other social networks, I have also attended different trade fairs where I have been able to observe multiple companies in one place, having the opportunity to talk to them in person and get a better understanding of the work they do.
In 5 years, what goals would you like to achieve?
In five years, I see myself working full-time at Rebain International España, having already finished all my studies and certificates. However, I never ruled out the option of continuing my training with short courses that can be combined with work.
