A week and a half into my internship at kaffie, and what an adventure it has already been. Looking back, it’s crazy to think how I ended up here. Let me take you through the journey.
Back in April 2024, I visited kaffie with the last group of consultants, eager to hear the entrepreneurial story of Yentl and Simon. From the moment I stepped into their world, I felt an instant connection. I wanted to be part of it. That evening, I messaged Yentl to let him know I was still looking for an internship. Fast forward to June 18, and I was officially sitting down at kaffie for an interview to check the vibe. And oh, the vibe was just right. kaffie felt like coming home.
In August, I received my first invite to a kaffie Tiny Deks event, a mini concert held right in the office. Unfortunately, I was in Spain working for a travel organization at the time, so I had to miss it. But kaffie remained on my mind, and the excitement kept building.
On December 13, things finally became official. I visited Kaffie again, this time with my internship supervisor, to take care of the paperwork. The more time I spent there, the more eager I became to start. The anticipation was real. I was stepping into a place where ideas are valued, and initiative is expected.
Then, on February 10, the moment arrived. My first day as an intern. I was beyond excited but, truth be told, I had underestimated the challenge ahead. Coming from a school system where I had a lot of flexibility, I suddenly found myself in a structured nine-to-five setting. Skipping classes, managing my own schedule, and balancing my student entrepreneur activities had been my norm. This was an adjustment, and it hit me fast.
But let’s be clear. This is no internship where you spend the day sorting papers in a basement. At Kaffie, you’re a Chief Problem Solver, ready to set sail. From day one, I was part of the team. I had the freedom to pitch ideas, contribute to discussions about the direction of the Kaffie boat, and most importantly, have a great time while doing it. You’re not just here to observe. You’re here to participate, bring your own perspective, and help shape the future of the company in real time.
Yes, it’s intense. But great effort leads to great results, so you won’t hear me complaining. What makes this experience even more special is that Yentl was part of the first-ever cohort of IT consultants at Howest. I am in the very last group. The program is being discontinued due to low enrollment, which is a shame. Try explaining to a 17-year-old why a consultant is so crucial, and you’ll understand the challenge. But here at Kaffie, the importance of consultancy is clear. You don’t need to be a software engineer to make impactful changes in a business.
Now, here I am. I am integrating a new CRM system, experimenting with low-code solutions like n8n, and diving into marketing. By the way, marketing is not my field of study. But at Kaffie, problem solvers tackle everything. They don’t stick to one label. You get to taste a bit of everything, even areas outside your expertise. And that’s what makes it exciting. One day you’re optimizing internal processes. The next, you’re brainstorming marketing campaigns. Another day, you’re knee-deep in tech solutions. Every day is different, and that’s exactly what makes it so fulfilling.
My key takeaway after one week? Consultants bring immense value, and you don’t need to be a software engineer to create groundbreaking changes within a company. You need to be adaptable, proactive, and ready to take responsibility. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty and eager to learn. Every challenge is an opportunity. Every mistake is a stepping stone to getting better.
We’re standing in the crow’s nest of this ship. The horizon is still a little misty, but soon, the skies will clear. That’s what learning is. Challenging yourself, figuring things out. If it were easy, it would be boring. Kaffie is not just an internship. It’s an expedition. Every single day, you’re sailing into new territory, discovering new strengths, and becoming a better version of yourself.
Until we meet again, I’ll keep navigating forward, ready for whatever waves come my way.
