Cycle 1: Personal analysis

1. OVERVIEW WITH SPECIFIC DEADLINES

2. PERSONAL INTERNSHIP PLAN

About me

My name is Thu Ha Nguyen, a 3rd-year Communication Student at HAN University of Applied Sciences. I will be working as a Branding Intern at CCV from August 2023 to January 2024.

About working at the company

Task and responsibilities

- Investigate and build a business case for an eco-label system of products.

- Coordinate and implement office guidelines (branding + interior design) across 10 locations

in Europe.

- Build a monitoring and reporting system to track the company’s progress towards the UN's 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

4 goals (2 intercultural goals, 1 professional and 1 personal goal)

Goal 1: After 6 months, I know about Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability as well as their importance to every company, especially CCV with the completion of my tasks which contribute to improving the reputation of a responsible and sustainable CCV.

S: Specific

Getting to know what CSR is and how important it is to every business besides their brand currently.
Writing CSR-related articles and reports.

M: Measurable

Joining the CSR awareness training offered by CCV. Doing research and reading all internal materials about CSR.

A: Attainable

Applying the knowledge to build a reporting system to track CCV’s progress towards UN’s 17 Social Development Goals.

R: Relevant

CCV launched the CSR project in 2022 when realising the importance of CSR. CSR and Sustainability is also a hot topic for every company in this day and age. As an intern in the Branding and Sustainability team, I have the opportunity to explore a new and meaningful topic.

During 6 months of internship.

T: Time-bound

Professional: Learning about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Basic to Advanced level

Goal 2: During the first 2 weeks, I get used to the working flow at CCV so that I can adjust my schedule and balance the time for working and making reports, also I do not get overwhelmed with the first internship.

Personal: Improving my management and organization skills

S: Specific

Managing daily tasks and arranging time to complete every task as well as possible.

M: Measurable

It’s good if I can spend at least 30 minutes at the beginning of the working day to organize tasks and show highlights of the day.

A: Attainable

Making the to-do list for Branding and CSR every day. Keep track with it until all ‘Done’ boxes are ticked. Besides, my company is using Miro as the key project management tool.

R: Relevant

Management skills will be beneficial for me in avoiding stress and getting a work-life balance.

Reflect the efficiency every day > Adjust if necessary >

At the end of the internship.

T: Time-bound

Goal 3: During 6 months of my internship, I take initiatives and I am not afraid to behave in a proactive way in casual conversation to comprehend different communication styles based on our diverse cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural: Building relationships with international colleagues

S: Specific

Networking with managers, members in my team and even other teams: joining the first meeting, talking with people, having lunch with colleagues, being proactive in approaching others at the office.

M: Measurable

I will have no difficulty in communicating with different members from different teams and positions. I try to get participation in team bonding activities.

A: Attainable

Joining the barbecue party in June, step by step getting to know each other, going to the office even 5 days/ week to meet people. Attending at least 1 company event per month.

R: Relevant

My major is Communication which I am supposed to be good at. My position is Branding intern so Branding myself to make people know about me is also the purpose of my goal.

During the 6 month- internship.

T: Time-bound

Goal 4: During the first 3 weeks, I will try to get to know others in both my department and other ones when performing tasks, having discussion about the work so that I can know their various ways of working.

Intercultural: Understanding people from different cultures and backgrounds as well as their way of working

S: Specific

As far as I’m concerned, employees are from the Netherlands, Taiwan, Indonesia, Germany and Belgium. Most of them are getting used to the Dutch way of working. Observing their behavior at work is a good approach for this goal.

M: Measurable

I will try to get to know at least 1 new colleague per month from my team and others. It includes remembering their name, culture, position, their way of communicating and working within the company.

A: Attainable

Actively starting the conversation, asking questions if they are available and willing to answer, having lunch together/ collaborating in any projects.

R: Relevant

I would like to improve my communication skills, which is vital for my position: caring about the Brand means paying attention to every person of this brand.

At the beginning of the internship

=> Reflect every month.

T: Time-bound

What appeals to me most about the internship and describe any difficulties I may encounter

- I like Branding which is the position (Branding intern) I will perform at CCV. I'll likely develop a range of skills, including branding strategy, communication, stakeholder engagement, project management, and understanding social responsibility frameworks.

- Besides, learning about CSR piques my curiosity and I’m eager to explore this new trend which almost every business is approaching. Participating in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives allows me to engage with projects that have a positive impact on society and the environment.

=> I have the chance to apply theoretical knowledge gained in my studies to practical scenarios, enhancing my understanding of branding and CSR concepts.

- When it comes to difficulties, since it is my first time working in the office full time, I would say getting used to working from 9 to 5 every day, and making some mistakes while doing my assigned tasks which may lead to other unexpected issues and more serious problems. Moreover, it’s hard getting to know colleagues in my team and other ones so that I know who to contact if I have any question about a specific topic. I will be shy and cannot show all my ability and enthusiasm at work as I have in my mind. I’m also afraid that I’m struggling with some industrial words or phrases.

Describe what you expect from your CC and your IS and indicate in which areas and how you would like to receive support and feedback

- I expect my company coach (CC) to train and accompany me in my internship journey.

She will teach me about Branding and CSR, arrange suitable tasks (especially CSR tasks) for me to do, mentor the detailed instructions, give me the time to really understand the task, and make possible deadlines for me to meet.
Every week, when I have done the task, I expect her to give me constructive feedback on my performance, then I will improve it as soon as possible. We will have at least 1 meeting per week to update and I would also appreciate it if Anna would answer all my wonders about the task.
After each month, Anna and I will have a reflection session. During this, I can show what I have done so far and Anna gives me advice on the working process and efficiency.

- I would like my internship supervisor (IS) to:

Give me constructive feedback on my deliverables (within two weeks after receipt of the report) and give advice for me on how to write an efficient report.
I will schedule regular meetings to update and discuss my progress, address any questions or concerns to my supervisor.
In consultation with my company coach and me, evaluating and assessing performance and results, and if applicable, making suggestions for improvements
She is expected to advise me on the right direction of approaching a professional life.

Cycle 2