Climbing the Ladder: How Interns Became Key Players at VA Imaging
Kim Wessels
Every career has a starting point. For many at VA Imaging, that starting point was an internship that quickly turned into something much more. What begins as a few months of learning often evolves into long-term opportunities for growth, responsibility, and impact. Meet five of our colleagues who began as interns and are now shaping the future of VA Imaging in full-time roles.
From First Intern to COO: Max Reijngoudt
When Max joined VA Imaging, the company had only just been founded, and he was the very first intern. His project was to create a marketing plan for machine vision cameras in Benelux, but his internship quickly expanded into much more: building the website, reaching out to customers, and even shipping the first orders.
After completing his internship, Max was asked to stay on as the company’s first employee, starting as an Inside Sales Engineer. His dedication and leadership led to steady growth: first Manager of Operations, then COO. Along the way, he hired and trained new team members, built the company’s foundation, and helped guide its expansion.
Looking back, Max is still amazed by the journey. “We are about ten times bigger than what I forecasted in my internship plan. The growth of the company, and the personal development that came with it, has been the most rewarding part of the journey.”
From Cold Calls to Team Lead: Rico van Leeuwen
Rico’s internship focused on introducing a new product to the Benelux market. His research and customer calls quickly sparked a talent for sales. What started as pitching to survey participants soon grew into cold calling prospects and managing client relationships.
After his internship, Rico joined full-time as an Account Manager. Within three years, he became Key Account Manager, handling major clients across Benelux. Today, he leads the Benelux sales team as Team Lead, where he supports colleagues and makes strategic decisions to drive growth.
For Rico, the machine vision industry itself has been a major motivator. “It’s such an innovative, fast-growing market with endless applications. The diversity of projects makes the work exciting, and VA Imaging offers plenty of opportunities to keep developing yourself.”
From Graduation Project to All-Round Marketeer: Jade van Geloven
Jade started as a graduation marketing intern, where she worked on a marketing plan for VA Imaging and contributed to the company’s rebranding. That experience gave her deep insight into the business and sparked her passion for marketing within VA Imaging.
After her internship, the supportive culture and growth opportunities convinced her to stay. Today, Jade manages the entire marketing department as an all-round marketeer. “There is so much room to grow and keep learning here, which is exactly what I wanted.”
What surprised her most was how quickly things move. “Every task is different, and it can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned to adapt fast and stay organized. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown in such a short time.” For Jade, the highlights also include the fun team events that strengthen bonds beyond work.
From Sales Practice to Operations Assistant: Benas Liniauskas
Benas began his VA Imaging journey as a sales intern before moving into operations, where he now works full-time. He also took on the role of intern coordinator, helping new interns navigate their own steps.
For him, the main reason to continue at VA Imaging was the team. “I love working with the people here, especially since the team is so diverse and international.” Along the way, he gained valuable skills, particularly patience and clarity in communication: qualities that continue to help him in his daily work.
What surprised Benas most? How enjoyable working full-time turned out to be. “I love having a proper schedule and being part of something meaningful.” Outside the office, he is just as enthusiastic about the community: escape rooms, VR games, and international dinners make VA Imaging feel like more than just a workplace.
From Thesis Pages to Account Manager: Joep Bitter
Joep joined the Benelux sales team during his internship, while focusing his thesis on the Italian market. That flexibility showed him early on how VA Imaging values personal preferences and strengths. Today, he is still part of the team, now as Account Manager Benelux.
For Joep, the biggest reason for staying was the culture. “The working environment is perfect. The team feels like a second family, with people from all over the world working closely together.” Alongside this, he discovered a fascination for the machine vision industry itself, which kept him motivated to learn and grow.
Looking back, he sees how much he’s developed since his internship. Time management was a key skill he carried forward, but what surprises him most is how many of his colleagues share the same path. “It shows that VA Imaging values interns, not just as temporary support, but as future colleagues.”
Looking Ahead
Each of these journeys started with an internship, but none of them stopped there. From sales to operations to marketing, interns at VA Imaging are given the chance to make real contributions and grow into impactful roles.
The common thread across all five stories? A supportive team, opportunities for personal growth, and the excitement of working in an innovative industry.
At VA Imaging, we don’t just welcome interns, we invest in future colleagues.
Interested in starting your own journey with us? Explore our internship opportunities.
