Since Ajay’s first interview, he’s returned from his study abroad program in Singapore. Ajay is currently interning with La-Roche-Posay at L’Oreal in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Although limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, he explained how his summer internship has helped shape his perspective on marketing. Ajay is working on social media among marketing projects in the digital sphere.
Due to the strict COVID measures, he goes to the office every other week on a rotation basis. Ajay completes the other part of this internship at home. He talks about how he feels the work is still valid but misses some of the social aspects an internship brings, such as random interactions with colleagues. Nonetheless, Ajay’s enjoying his internship and continues to maintain a positive attitude.
How did you find out about the L’Oreal internship?
“It is quite an interesting story about how I ended up at L’Oreal. In April 2020, I was in close contact with Jacobs Douwe Egberts to discuss a potential marketing internship in the Netherlands. The marketing manager at JDE at that time used to intern at L’Oreal. She had been talking about her time at L’Oreal. Her words were so inspiring that I decided to apply for a marketing internship at L’Oreal to see if it was something for me. After three selection rounds, they offered me an internship at their Dutch office in Hoofddorp. “
What are the requirements of the L’Oreal Internship and how long will it last?
“In order to begin my internship at L’Oreal, I needed to successfully pass a psychometric test, on top of having marketing experience. Since I had an active role at Ticketmaster and UEFA’s marketing department, I met those expectations. I’ll have my marketing internship at La Roche-Posay (L’Oreal) from July 2020 until January 2021.”
What is your role at L’Oreal over this period of time?
“I am responsible for the marketing and communication content of La Roche-Posay. I spend most of my time creating posters, banners, and displays for products like Effaclar and Cicaplast. Besides that, I also work on the video content for digital displays located in pharmacies all around the Netherlands.”
How has COVID-19 impacted your role at La Roche-Posay?
“COVID-19 had and still has a huge impact on my work at L’Oreal. Employees are expected to work from home 50% of the time. As an intern who just started at a new company, it was odd to integrate into the new role from a distance. Especially at the beginning, when everything was still new, I noticed the little things such as quickly asking a question about an issue or having small talk with my colleagues were not as easy as I expected it to be. A few months later, I have found my way to cope with the situation.”
What is your favorite part of the internship?
“One of the most vital aspects of doing an internship is building up a network. At L’Oreal, there is a huge focus on broadening the range of people you know. They insist on having koffietjes (little coffee meetings) with people from other divisions, other teams, or even other companies. I myself try to fully take advantage of that opportunity.
Besides that, L’Oreal allows other interns and me the opportunity to develop ourselves through the customized intern program they have. Their focus lies in giving every intern the chance to reach their full potential. Personally, I liked the emphasis on having more responsibility. Simultaneously, I want to work on my creative skills. Throughout my L’Oreal internship, I will be responsible for creating a variety of communications materials such as banners, flyers, stickers, and short videos.”
What is the most challenging part?
“There are multiple aspects of working at L’Oreal that are challenging. While COVID-19 has made a huge impact on everybody, I would say that I’ve become increasingly productive after a couple of months. The biggest challenge I have faced so far is the enormous amount of information I’ve needed to learn. Because the company itself is huge, there is a massive amount of data coming towards me that I have to understand and fully utilize as soon as possible. I noticed that I have been spending so much time comprehending every little detail, that I sometimes don’t get enough time to work on the creative aspects of my role.”
What do you hope to achieve while interning at L’Oreal?
“In order to leave L’Oreal with a satisfied feeling, I want to achieve three goals:
- Lead a successful project.
- Increase my network.
- Leave my mark on the business through my knowledge and/or by being an example for others.
If all three of my goals are achieved at the end of my internship, I can happily say that my internship at L’Oreal has been successful.”
Ajay is working on his second bachelor’s degree in International Business & Management at Amsterdam University. We will catch up with him in 2021 to find out how he is doing. Keep an eye out for this upcoming interview.
This sounds like it’s been quite an interesting journey for you. I can see how it could be a bit of a challenge to integrate yourself when you have to work remotely for so much of the time. Best of luck to you on your new endeavor!
This sounds like such a lovely experience! Thank you for sharing.
That is so awesome he was able to do an internship at such a prestigious company. It would be hard to start a job during a pandemic. My friend started a new job and he barely just got to meet people in person, and he had been working there for 4 months already.
A truly prestigious and important experience that you were lucky to be able to live and I was pleased to read your experience about it!
It would be a wonderful experience to have an intern there and it should open a lot of doors in the industry. For me, I am more interested to hear the tea about all the behind-the-scene office drama. – knycx Journeying
Nice! Seems like you had wonderful journey. It’s really fun to read other peoples success.
This is really interesting. What an amazing-sounding time you had working with L’oreal. I bet it was also fascinating seeing how things worked in a different location.
Oh my goodness! What an awesome internship and an amazing experience. I would love to live in the Netherlands. Hope everything works out for you.
Kileen
cute & little
That sounds like such an amazing opportunity! How interesting to learn about this experience.
Thank you for sharing this interview, and now I am thinking how cool to get an internship at this prestigious company. Loreal is a company that made a huge difference and I think working with this company is such a great experience.
Wow, what a great opportunity you had and I love the story of how you got there. So random!
I am a big fan of Laroche Posay so I think this would be a dream internship. I bet you’re getting to see a lot learn a lot and try a lot while you’re there
I would have loved an experience like this. My internships were a lot less rewarding 🙂
That sounds like a wonderful internship. Keep up the good work and here’s wishing you all the best.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Such an amazing opportunity! Amsterdam is amazing city.
What a wonderful opportunity. I love L’oreal makeup and to go to such a wonderful place is a plus.
This is interesting to read your experience in this article. It sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful internship. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like an exciting internship! Lots of challenges and experience to learn. I will be waiting for the next interview.
What a fantastic experience. Looks like L’Oreal is a really great company with the kind of programs they have.
It is nice to read your story. It’s very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
That is seriously the opportunity of a lifetime! I hope it all continuers to go well for you!
This is really great opportunity. A L’Oreal internship can not only bring experience but also new job prospects.
I am so jealous! This seems like such a good opportunity. Good luck!
This sounds like an amazing opportunity. I never was able to intern. Instead, I had to find other ways to learn new things.