Claire and Dennis are getting practical experience while studying
They both work 20 hours a week as Campus Recruiters for Ballast Nedam. Claire de Groot started in March 2024, and Dennis van den Hazel in December 2024. Together, they recruit and select all the interns at Ballast Nedam, which is about a hundred per year.
One big advantage is that Claire and Dennis have just graduated and are both continuing their studies. Dennis says: “For interns, it's much easier to talk to us because we understand them well.”
Claire, how did you find Ballast Nedam?
“I studied Business Administration and have no background in construction. But when my cousin sent me the job for Campus Recruiter, I thought it sounded fun! I already had some experience with recruitment from my internship. It seemed like a great challenge to grow campus recruitment. From the first interview, I felt at home at Ballast Nedam. The atmosphere is really nice. I started with 32 hours, but when I began my pre-master, it was no problem to reduce it to 20 hours a week and find someone else to join.”
“I studied Business Administration and have no background in construction. But when my cousin sent me the job for Campus Recruiter, I thought it sounded fun! I already had some experience with recruitment from my internship. It seemed like a great challenge to grow campus recruitment. From the first interview, I felt at home at Ballast Nedam. The atmosphere is really nice. I started with 32 hours, but when I began my pre-master, it was no problem to reduce it to 20 hours a week and find someone else to join.”
And that someone was you, Dennis?
“Yes! I had just finished my studies in Industrial Engineering and was doing a gap year. I wanted to get work experience but not work full-time. It was hard to find a job for about 20 hours a week. Luckily, the job for Campus Recruiter at Ballast Nedam came up. Recruitment was new to me, so it took some getting used to. But now I feel completely at home and have made the role my own. Like Claire, I will start a pre-master in September, so 20 hours is perfect.”
How do you recruit interns for Ballast Nedam?
Claire: “We receive applications through the website, email, WhatsApp or phone. Additionally, we regularly attend events like open days and internship fairs at colleges and universities. We also give guest lectures and lunch talks at schools.” Dennis adds: “Recently, we were at the Career Days at TU Delft for students and job starters. And at the internship fair at Avans University of Applied Sciences, we organized speed dates where students had brief conversations with someone from Ballast Nedam.”
“Yes! I had just finished my studies in Industrial Engineering and was doing a gap year. I wanted to get work experience but not work full-time. It was hard to find a job for about 20 hours a week. Luckily, the job for Campus Recruiter at Ballast Nedam came up. Recruitment was new to me, so it took some getting used to. But now I feel completely at home and have made the role my own. Like Claire, I will start a pre-master in September, so 20 hours is perfect.”
How do you recruit interns for Ballast Nedam?
Claire: “We receive applications through the website, email, WhatsApp or phone. Additionally, we regularly attend events like open days and internship fairs at colleges and universities. We also give guest lectures and lunch talks at schools.” Dennis adds: “Recently, we were at the Career Days at TU Delft for students and job starters. And at the internship fair at Avans University of Applied Sciences, we organized speed dates where students had brief conversations with someone from Ballast Nedam.”
And how are all these interns supervised?
“We pair each intern with a colleague from the business unit where they will be interning. We recommend that the intern and their supervisor schedule a fixed time each week to discuss how things are going,” says Dennis. “Additionally, we organize a day for all interns twice a year. We talk about Ballast Nedam, visit a project, and then do something fun like laser gaming or go-karting. This helps them get to know each other better and find each other when needed,” Claire continues. “Each intern also receives a welcome package with a sweater, notebook, and some other fun goodies. It's great to see that sometimes students want to do multiple internships with us or apply for a job at Ballast Nedam after graduating.”
You've been working together for six months now. How's that going?
“Very well. We've divided the tasks nicely. Dennis mainly handles the applications we receive, and I maintain contact with colleges and student associations.” Dennis: “We both work on Mondays and Tuesdays, so it's easy to discuss an application, internship position, or event. And what's also nice is that we share the same silly humor. Just like the rest of the recruiters, by the way.” “Yes, we really have a great time here,” Claire agrees.
“We pair each intern with a colleague from the business unit where they will be interning. We recommend that the intern and their supervisor schedule a fixed time each week to discuss how things are going,” says Dennis. “Additionally, we organize a day for all interns twice a year. We talk about Ballast Nedam, visit a project, and then do something fun like laser gaming or go-karting. This helps them get to know each other better and find each other when needed,” Claire continues. “Each intern also receives a welcome package with a sweater, notebook, and some other fun goodies. It's great to see that sometimes students want to do multiple internships with us or apply for a job at Ballast Nedam after graduating.”
You've been working together for six months now. How's that going?
“Very well. We've divided the tasks nicely. Dennis mainly handles the applications we receive, and I maintain contact with colleges and student associations.” Dennis: “We both work on Mondays and Tuesdays, so it's easy to discuss an application, internship position, or event. And what's also nice is that we share the same silly humor. Just like the rest of the recruiters, by the way.” “Yes, we really have a great time here,” Claire agrees.
Are you also interested in working at Ballast Nedam?
At Ballast Nedam, you can develop and become a little better every day. In the Netherlands and abroad. Together with almost 2,000 colleagues, we are committed to a future-proof living environment. Will you join our team to contribute to this?
