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I am Sam


05/11/2020



At Aartsen, we love to give new talent a chance: Sam: ‘I started to grow when I got more freedom’.

 

When Sam Snoeijs first set foot in Aartsen, he truly could not believe his eyes. The size of it. And so many colleagues. Despite that rather overwhelming feeling, he also immediately felt at home. We didn’t know it back then, but that was the moment a new talent was born. So please meet Sam Snoeijs (27), one of our new talents at Aartsen. 

 

It was not a complete coincidence that Sam chose Aartsen for his graduation internship; our valued colleague Mathijs Buzeijn is his brother-in-law, and Mathijs had told Sam good things about the company. Sam recounts, ‘It’s great to have a stepping stone, but I had to do the interviews myself!’ The initial introduction was followed by an interview with the management and various colleagues, and luckily that all went very well. Still, the question remained: what precisely would Sam do at the company? 

 

New talents 

That meant it was time for a chat with Bart from the HR department. Sam continues, ‘The first thing Bart asked me was: what can Aartsen do for you?’ Bart and Sam together decided that Sam, who was studying ‘Small Business and Retail’, would focus on optimising processes at Aartsen. This meant that he would need corresponding knowledge of the company. Bart explains, ‘If we tell an intern during the orientation phase that we aim to work together, then this collaboration lasts longer than just the time it takes to write a thesis. We want to offer interns the same onboarding process as we give new employees, to make sure they know everything about our company and how it works. New talents get genuinely involved in the work here!’

 

‘It’s an incredible feeling when you can sell something through your enthusiasm and your discussions with the customer.’

 

Seizing opportunities

A new phase started in Sam’s life. In a short period, he got to know many new colleagues and the work processes in various departments, and he also had his first customer contacts at Aartsen. Sam recounts, ‘To begin with, that’s pretty challenging. You learn so many new things. When I walked in the door, I knew very little about fruit and vegetables. Luckily, that changed fast, because I could “job shadow” in various departments. I talked to colleagues a lot, and I even got the chance to have a conversation with a customer. It really felt like I astarted to grow when I got more freedom. It’s an incredible feeling when you can sell something through your enthusiasm and your discussions with the customer.’”

 

‘It makes such a difference when people are willing to teach you things’.

 

Growing and connecting

Sam soon found he was interested in a sales role. That was something Bart noticed, too. As soon as Sam had finished his graduation internship at Aartsen, he was offered a job where he could develop his commercial talents. 

 

Bart explains, ‘Something like this doesn’t just fall from the sky; it’s preceded by an ongoing dialogue. Do both of us feel good about this? In which areas can we strengthen each other? How can we continue growing and connecting? That’s the first step for new talent, but it’s definitely just as important for colleagues who’ve been with us for many years. You’re never too old to learn.’ Meanwhile, Sam is learning plenty from the old guard at Aartsen as well, ‘It makes such a difference when people are willing to teach you things. René Breestraat, that guy’s a gem – a colleague who can talk about things with such incredible passion and who really wants to teach you something!’

 

Appreciation

Working at Aartsen also means working at different locations from time to time. 

How is this for new talent Sam? ‘I’ve never gone to a new location with a sense of trepidation. It’s something I actually look forward to! You know you’ll be welcomed with open arms, even at a different location.’ 

 

In addition to his work at Aartsen, Sam is also mad about indoor football, he trains CrossFit and he has a fine circle of friends. Is he able to combine all this? ‘I work long hours, but I’ve already been able to adjust my rhythm to this. Sure, I sometimes have to give something a miss, but when you consider how much appreciation, how many career opportunities and how many great colleagues the job involves, then it’s absolutely worth it! Every day at Aartsen is different and challenging, so the time flies by.’

 

‘Every day at Aartsen is different and challenging, so the time flies by.’

 

Sam is also mad about football, he trains CrossFit and he has a fine circle of friends.