Interns are strongly supported here

Are you looking for an internship to gain work experience? CM offers a variety of functions and provides a strong framework. Those involved tell how it went.

Kimberly

Kimberly Sterckx (28)

'After studying as a beautician, I worked in various jobs such as sales and catering. Due to a serious back operation, that work was no longer possible. But I wanted to get back to work. The consulting doctor, with whom I was in contact during my period of illness, suggested that I do a work experience internship at CM. CM offers a range of jobs and also pays a lot of attention to ergonomics, according to the doctor.'

Colleagues have made me grow

Kimberly

'With a small heart, I started an internship at the service that arranges and pays the replacement income to people who become ill. Completely different from what I did before and what I was trained for. I was super motivated to learn. And I immediately felt welcome among my colleagues. In the beginning I mainly collected certificates and documents, but gradually I was given more responsibility for managing files. My colleagues have supported me fantastically. They wanted to see me grow and pushed me to learn and do more. I needed that to move forward. Both on a professional and personal level. Through this internship I learned to work accurately, I became more assertive and my self-confidence increased.'

'When a vacancy arose, colleagues encouraged me to apply. I never thought that a year after my internship I would be permanently employed. Opportunities for further growth were discussed from the beginning, provided I made an effort. With intense guidance and follow-up, my colleagues have brought out the best in me. I could always contact them. My internship manager is now my team manager. “Everything will be fine,” was her motto. And everything turned out well indeed.'

Internships at CM

Dilara Solak (23)

'For the internship in the final year of my social work training, I chose the Zorglijn at CM. You can help people over the telephone and that appealed to me. The fact that CM is also involved in very diverse themes made the organization extra attractive as a working environment.'

'Gradually my colleagues prepared me, I didn't have to answer phones straight away. First I was given an explanation about all kinds of legislation that CM must follow. Quite tough to understand and remember all those rules. But I could contact my colleagues with any question. Afterwards I was allowed to follow telephone conversations. This is how I heard how colleagues reacted. I learned a lot from that. And I was allowed to start with administrative tasks such as registering conversations and answering emails. Because the Zorglijn can also be contacted by email. Once I became more familiar with the subject, I was given the opportunity to answer telephones myself, with a colleague listening in. The roles were now reversed. Towards the end I was allowed to answer telephone calls independently. That was very exciting. Staying calm is important. And that worked because my colleagues showed me how and where I could quickly find information. They had prepared me very well step by step. And if I couldn't answer a question, I could immediately count on my colleagues.'

'I was very satisfied with the internship at CM. I learned a lot there and was also treated very well. When I graduated and saw a vacancy for the Zorglijn, I didn't hesitate to apply. I am very happy that I can now do this job as a full-fledged employee. The experience during my internship has come in handy for me. And I still use the tips that colleagues gave me then.'

Prepared step by step

Dilara

Guillaume Vanhoudt (24)

'We have had a lot of contact with the health insurance fund at home all my life. I have cystic fibrosis and diabetes, which means I often need medical treatment. I don't actually know what goes on behind the scenes at CM. To gain more insight into this, I wanted to do my final internship of my social work training at CM.'

'It took a while before I found the people at CM who decide on an internship. Once I got the approval, everything went smoothly. I have been working as an intern in services and assistance for a month now and am gradually discovering the broad spectrum of CM. I receive fascinating assignments to get to know and use the different tools. And I follow the consultants' contacts with CM members. For example, I experience what questions people come to CM with, how consultants respond to them and how they use tools to provide adequate help. I find that very educational. If I want more explanation about something or have questions, colleagues are happy to make time for me. I've never been told no. That's why I dare to say it if I don't understand something. As an intern, CM gives me a lot of confidence. I get a laptop and can consult a lot of information to carry out assignments. I learn a lot from that. The professional and technical support here is excellent. Later, a job as a consultant at CM is certainly an option.'

I gained a lot of confidence here

Guillaume

Vljora Demiri (48)

'I completed my office training a long time ago and have worked in all kinds of sectors. I found that fascinating. A hernia in my neck and back forced me to stop working. When things got better, I wanted to get back to work quickly. But that was a disappointment. I have been unemployed for three years.'

'VDAB gave me the opportunity to do internships in companies. The first internship with another employer was not so successful, because I had to take on many tasks without guidance. As a result, I started the second internship that I could now do at CM with some hesitation. That was a huge difference. I processed applications for reimbursement of physiotherapy and received very good support. I first received training and afterwards I was also closely monitored. I could call on my colleagues for any question. That put me at ease. If you have been unemployed for a long time, it affects your self-confidence. I may not be able to do it anymore, you start to think. You are afraid of making mistakes. If you can always ask your colleagues for help, that doubt will be reduced.'

'After the 6-month internship period, the team manager pointed out vacancies at CM to me and encouraged me to apply. She believed in me and even indicated that I have more to offer and can also apply for other positions. That gives a good feeling. I was hired on a temporary contract. That has now been extended. It happens that colleagues now ask me for advice when they have doubts about a file. Then I'm doing well.'

Colleagues removed doubts

Vljora

Toon Lissens (31)

'As a team leader, I will consider every motivated request for an internship at the Social Work department. Depending on the candidate's education, I look at which positions he or she can possibly take up. And I always plan a meeting to discuss the expectations of both parties. If they match and I see that the person is capable of working within our complex service, then I will give the intern every opportunity.'

'I involved someone from the team from the start. This could be someone who has ambitions for a managerial position later. Then internship supervision is a good preparation because that is coaching. The team member can already practice this skill. He or she will also be present at the selection interview and will help decide whether the internship will continue. If that is not the case, we explain to the intern why we gave negative advice.'

'As a team leader, I support the employee in guiding the intern, especially if he or she is doing this for the first time. In between, I inform both the intern and the supervisor how things are going. I do that more often when the internship goes less smoothly. I try to adjust the internship supervisor's duties where possible so that he or she has sufficient time to coach the intern. We do not leave interns to their fate. Sometimes interns already have experience and function almost like colleagues. They are a help to the team and can even critically assess their work. That's educational. It happens that things don't go as well. We want the intern to grow through feedback. And we can learn from it ourselves to approach things differently in the future.'

'I present vacancies within the social work department to interns who we are very satisfied with. Or I will look internally for opportunities for them. You have to keep talents.'

Coaching from the start

Toon