Internship, autonomy, and trust : Clément’s story

Clément (Full Stack Developer) :

1. Do you remember how you landed your internship at Student? Pure luck or a rock-solid application ?

I had just finished my Master’s in Berlin and struggled to find a job for 8 months. Then one day, my mom told me to call my cousin Flo (the high priestess of Student) and that she’d help me find something or give me some advices. I asked her

some, and then at some point, she called me back saying she wanted to implement AI at Student. So I came in for a six-month internship. My first mission was to obtain the Shiftingpact label to show our sustainable commitment to the Brussels-Capital Region.

2.What were your tasks back then ? Was there something you especially loved doing (or dreaded a bit) ?

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like doing. Right from the start, I was given a lot of autonomy, which works really well for me, the more freedom I get, the more fired up I am to impress and do things right. It’s a win-win. But more specifically, one of my missions was implementing AI tools for Student.

3.What did you learn during your internship that still serves you today ?

Everything I learned shaped me into the developer I am today ! From day one at Student, I felt like an “intrapreneur” (cool term, right? 😉) because I felt like I was building something within the company thanks to the freedom I was given, while still respecting the team’s constraints, of course. I learned to manage my priorities and schedule well. Here, the more proactive you are, the more autonomy you get, which makes you even more motivated.

Maybe one slightly “negative” side of this freedom is the constant self-questioning I’ve carried with me since the internship. I keep wondering, “Is what I’m doing really what’s expected of me ?” So I’m always a bit on edge, not sure whether I should be doing more or less, or if I’m measuring up. It’s up to you to manage your work style so you don’t end up at Club Med. Taking initiative is the name of the game at Student (drop the mic 💥).

4.Who was the first person on the team to make you feel at ease or take you under their wing ?

On my very first day, Flo introduced me to the entire IT team, but no one actually knew I was coming. I felt a bit awkward, but I quickly set up meetings with Chris, Edouard, and Maximilien (the IT team) so they could explain the good and bad habits, especially the best ones to have since the four of us were working on the same tool. Apart from that, I clicked with the team right away. One of the hardest parts was figuring out where to place myself on the spectrum between family and work, since Flo is both my cousin and my boss.

5.We want the anecdote: tell us about a funny or unexpected moment that happened at Student !

At Student, the vibe is always chill, and there are plenty of unusual moments. One day, we managed to convince Nour that some students had hit his car… we had a good laugh (he… not so much).

Sometimes I also pick up when the contact number rings—always catches people off guard, but it’s fun to be in the thick of the action.

Beyond that, there’s a real sports dynamic in the team: bike rides, team challenges… It really builds strong cohesion, and we have as much fun as we push ourselves.

6.When did you feel like you wanted to continue the adventure with Student ?

I was already thinking that this could be a job I’d enjoy because it touches on a bit of everything. The offer took a little time to come through, but I was fairly confident in the quality of my work. Honestly, as a first job, it’s top-notch! Plus, there are so many perks that aren’t written in the contract, like the freedom in how you work, the atmosphere. It’s not on your payslip, but honestly, it’s worth more than any raise.

7.What’s the big difference between your previous role and your current position ?

Responsibility. When I started my full-time contract, I joined the sprints (meetings with the IT team and Flo to set objectives for the next two weeks) and the code reviews (where I review or improve my teammates’ code and vice versa). I began working with a lot of different people—marketing, sales, etc. Now I have my hands in many more things.

8.How do you feel you’ve evolved since you started ?

I’ve had ups and downs in productivity, and that’s completely okay. I’ve learned to accept it. No point beating yourself up about it—it happens to everyone and it’s tolerated here. I work in cycles, and the funny thing is, the more I have to do, the more productive and efficient I become.

9.What’s your current favorite part of your job? A cool project or mission you’re loving ?

I wear a lot of hats daily. We’ve just started a big project on data clean rooms—it’s brand new in Europe. It’s still baking for now, but it’s dropping next September, stay tuned. What’s great about this project is that I get to interact with external consultants, which is rare for IT roles that are usually more internal.

I’m still working on implementing AI tools. On a daily basis, I love collaborating with different departments in the company—you’re always exchanging ideas and creating value, both professionally and personally.

10.If you had to convince a student to apply at Student, what would you tell them, honestly ?

I’d say that if you’re looking for autonomy and “unlimited” freedom but you’re also disciplined enough to work under those conditions, then you’re more than welcome. You set your own boundaries. We have an infinite variety of tasks—no two days are the same. Sometimes you might feel a bit isolated, like when everyone’s talking about the market we operate in, and I’ll think, “I wish I knew more about the clients, the industry,” etc.

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