By Kamiel & Evelien – Final-Year Application Development Students, Karel de Grote Hogeschool

Hi there! We are Kamiel and Evelien, currently finishing our final year in Application and Full Stack Development at Karel de Grote Hogeschool. We’re excited to share what it was like to do our internship at b.ignited and what we took away from the experience.

Bridging Classroom Learning and Real Work

Our time at b.ignited gave us the chance to apply the knowledge we gained at school in a practical environment. It quickly became clear that there’s a lot more to professional IT work than just textbooks and lectures. For instance:

• We got hands-on with cloud platforms, exploring how scalable infrastructure works in real projects.

• We improved our skills in software testing, adopting professional approaches that ensure quality and reliability.

• We learned to manage our workload by allocating fixed periods for tasks, helping us focus and avoid getting stuck too long on any one thing.

Gaining Insight into Team Collaboration

Another valuable lesson was experiencing the dynamics of a collaborative tech team. We saw how brainstorming sessions, feedback loops, and shared problem-solving shape the development process. This made us appreciate how communication and flexibility are key to success in a fast-paced environment.

Experiencing the b.ignited Work Culture

What struck us most was the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at b.ignited. Even as interns, we were treated as equal members of the team and given opportunities to learn and contribute meaningfully. Highlights of the culture include:

• Monthly sessions dedicated to learning new skills and sharing knowledge with colleagues.

• Daily fresh meals provided by the company, a small but meaningful gesture that showed how much they care about their people.

• Excellent coffee, which helped fuel long coding sessions and kept spirits high!

Overcoming Complex Challenges

We faced some tough moments, especially when working on a project that demanded deep research and learning unfamiliar technologies. It wasn’t always easy, but with persistence, support from teammates, and creative thinking, we succeeded in completing the task. This challenge helped us grow both technically and professionally.

Feeling Valued and Supported

One of the best parts of our internship was feeling truly included in the team. We received constructive feedback and assistance whenever needed, without the pressure of rigid hierarchies or micromanagement. It was motivating to work alongside people who genuinely cared about our progress.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

Reflecting on our internship, we feel better equipped to face future challenges in the tech industry. The blend of practical experience, teamwork, and personal growth has prepared us well for our careers ahead. We’re thankful to b.ignited for this invaluable opportunity to turn what we learned into real impact.