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Success story
Two years to explore, learn and grow
Sam and Bart share their journey in the TMC High Tech Industry Traineeship Working, learning, and figuring out what fits you - all at once. That’s exactly what Sam Boeijen (24) and Bart Pronk (25) are doing in the High Tech Industry Traineeship by TMC Netherlands. Since February 2025, they’ve been part of this two-year program, working as trainees at a leading high-tech company in the Eindhoven region. They’re getting hands-on experience on real projects and move between departments like R&D and Operations. Along the way, they get training, coaching, and all the room they need to grow - both professionally and personally. So, how’s it going so far? Time for a conversation.
You both recently started the traineeship. What’s your background, and what are you working on right now?
Sam: I completed my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology in 2024. Bart and I started the traineeship together in early 2025. Right now, I’m working in Operations, where I focus on improving a production area that’s scaling up. Next year, I’ll rotate to R&D. It’s great to experience both sides and find out what suits me.
Bart: Same for me, I graduated in 2024 from the MSc in AI & Engineering Systems. I started in R&D, where I’m working on a digital twin to simulate system behavior. Later, I’ll switch to Operations. It’s really valuable to explore both environments in such an advanced company. It helps me discover what kind of work energizes me.
Why did you choose this traineeship?
Sam: Mechanical engineering is broad, and I wasn’t sure yet what direction I wanted to take. This traineeship gives me the chance to figure that out while working on real projects. As a recent graduate, it’s rare to get access to R&D like this. It’s the ideal way to explore my options while building experience in a high-tech setting.
Bart: What appealed to me was the combination of working, learning, and discovering what fits. That balance, especially in such an innovative environment, really stood out.
What were your first impressions?
Bart: But from day one, I felt like a part of the team. We had an intro day beforehand, so I already had a rough idea of what to expect. But from day one, I genuinely felt part of the team.
Sam: Everyone was super open and welcoming. That made it easy to settle in.
How is the support from TMC?
Bart: It’s well organized. Every eight weeks we catch up with our business manager, and every six weeks we meet with our mentor. One looks at the bigger picture, the other supports us more directly. That structure helps you stay on track and keep learning.
Sam: You can tell the program is built around our development. That shows in the personal guidance, but also in the training. TMC offers training on three levels: hard skills, soft skills, and peer coaching. We recently followed a lean manufacturing module that lined up perfectly with our assignment. The soft skill sessions are all about communication and collaboration, and during peer coaching we get to share experiences with other trainees. I brought in a case not long ago and got some great feedback, it really gave me a new perspective.
What’s it like working in an international environment?
Sam: I enjoy it. We work with colleagues from all over the world - India, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Hungary... It brings in different perspectives, and it’s just fun too.
Bart: We recently went out for pizza with some Italian colleagues, a fun way to end the day. The international vibe is everywhere here. We all speak English, which we were already used to from university. And in our field, most of the terminology is in English anyway, so it all felt pretty natural from day one.
What have you learned about yourselves so far?
Sam: I’ve learned that adaptability really matters, especially in your first job. Adjusting to a new environment and expectations wasn’t always easy, but it taught me a lot. Thanks to the soft skill trainings and the support from TMC, I’m starting to understand what motivates me and how I work best.
Bart: I’m learning every day. Not just technical things, but also about myself. I’m becoming more confident in how I work, make decisions, and deal with new situations. That personal growth is just as important to me as the technical learning.
Do you see yourselves more as generalists or specialists?
Bart: I’d say I’m more of a generalist. I like seeing how everything connects and having a broad view. Long term, I could see myself in a role where that overview is useful, maybe something more strategic or business-oriented.
Sam: Same here. I like bridging the gap between technical ideas and real-world implementation.
What surprised you about this traineeship?
Bart: I expected a big company to feel distant or formal. But actually, people are really approachable and happy to help.
Sam: Totally. It’s a supportive environment. You’re never on your own.
Do you already know what you want to do after the traineeship?
Sam: The plan is to stay on at the company we’re working at now, if it’s a good fit for both sides. So far it’s going really well. I’m also keeping an open mind - these two years are a great time to figure out what I want.
Bart: The traineeship is designed to lead to a permanent role. That gives it real purpose. And based on how it’s going now, I’d be happy to stay.
What do you hope to have achieved by the end of the two years?
Sam: First and foremost, I want to do my assignments well and contribute in a meaningful way. And I hope to come out of it with more confidence and a clearer sense of direction.
Bart: I want to grow - both technically and personally. If by the end I know what kind of role suits me, and I feel more confident and independent, then I’ll consider it a success. And secretly, I hope to have become so valuable that different departments are lining up for my input.
And finally, what would you say to someone who’s considering this traineeship?
Sam: Go for it, you’ll learn a ton. Not just technically, but about yourself too. It’s a great way to discover what drives you.
Bart: If you’re looking for a strong, flexible start to your engineering career, this is it.
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