Close your eyes, and think of the word “tomato ketchup”. What do you see there?
Chances are, the iconic Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottle is what you pictured in your head when you first think of Tomato Ketchup. And why shouldn’t it be? Our Heinz Tomato Ketchup is undoubtedly the most iconic tomato ketchup brand to have ever existed – and for good reasons too!
For 21 years, I grew up surrounded by Kraft Heinz’s most loved brands – Heinz, ABC, Kraft, Kool-Aid, Philadelphia, Jell-O, Capri-Sun – you name it, the list goes on! Never would I have thought that I would be spending 6 months of my life as an Internal Communications Intern Benelux at The Kraft Heinz Company in Amsterdam. It is not an overstatement to say that it is my dream internship – and I got it!
But of course, all great things in life come with great responsibilities – as I experienced myself by being part of the Kraft Heinz team. Trust me, the differences between being a communication student, studying communication theories and framework from a textbook, to applying that knowledge into real-life practices couldn’t be more starking. From day one, I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities that challenged me to put my communication skills to the test.
My main responsibility as an Internal Communications Intern is assisting in executing the internal communication strategy for Benelux and Continental Europe. For one, I took ownership of the standardized weekly newsletter communications, ensuring that important information was effectively communicated to employees. It may sound easy, but collecting all necessary information, doing copywriting, and designing graphics for a newsletter is no simple task – let alone when it’s your first time doing it for more than 1000 recipients! Fortunately, practice does make perfect, and crafting newsletters became less intimidating and time consuming the more I do it.
I also had the opportunity to learn new technical skills, such as graphic designing and video editing. Not only that, but I was also able to further sharpen my event management skills by supporting internal meetings and exciting projects that required discipline and creativity. Each day presented a new opportunity to work on – in short, it was never a dull day at the office!
In life, truthfully, I have never realized the importance of the company jargon, “Our people are our greatest asset,” until I joined Kraft Heinz. Being a part of such an iconic company as an intern, I experienced firsthand how much of a difference great employees and a positive corporate environment can truly make. The support and encouragement I received from my team and colleagues have been invaluable in my growth as a communication professional.
So, to everyone looking for ways to make your life more delicious, an internship at Kraft Heinz might just give you that! It has been a rewarding journey, filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Kraft Heinz family and for the valuable lessons I have learned during my time as an Internal Communications Intern. As I move on to my next challenges, I carry with me the knowledge, skills, and memories that will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors in the field of communication. Thank you, Kraft Heinz, for this incredible experience!