Ferdinand's internship at Janus
After completing my psychology degree in the Netherlands, I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how psychology is applied in practice. I was particularly interested in companies that specialize in the development and consulting of people and organizations. Through a friend, I eventually came across Janus and was thrilled when I was offered an internship.
The move to Munich went smoothly, and right from the start, I was warmly welcomed into the team at Janus, which made my transition much easier. The culture is characterized by personal responsibility, a willingness to experiment, and an open, constructive feedback culture—something I’ve come to appreciate very much. Over the past few months, I’ve gained fascinating insights into the world of consulting, coaching, and training, provided organizational support for seminars, collaborated on smaller projects, and observed the trainers’ work firsthand. It was also exciting to observe workshops and seminars and to lead smaller content-based exercises. I am particularly grateful to Martina Goldhorn for the engaging exchanges that gave me especially deep insights into the day-to-day work of coaching, as well as for the trust she placed in me and the appreciation she showed for my perspectives and ideas.
My personal highlight was participating in the open seminar “Group Dynamics” and the highly interesting discussions with David Dombkowski and Eva Forler that came with it. During the seminar, I learned not only a lot about others but, above all, about myself. This experience and the time spent with the other group members had a lasting impact on me and continues to resonate even now.
When I started my internship, I expected to be more deeply involved in conceptual collaboration with the trainers—whether in preparing workshop content, developing new seminar formats, or conducting research or brainstorming on various coaching and training topics. However, many of my tasks had an administrative focus. Even though I realize that these are part of the daily routine of an intern, I noticed that the mix of content-related and administrative tasks wasn’t what I had hoped for in terms of my personal development. The internship was undoubtedly an enriching experience, yet after careful consideration, I decided to end my internship early because I’m looking for something different for my future path.
Even though my time at Janus was shorter than planned, I’m taking away so much: I’ve learned to better reflect on my own expectations and needs and to communicate even more clearly how I can contribute my strengths and what I hope for from my professional environment. I will cherish the inspiring conversations, the relaxed yet professional atmosphere, and the trust that was placed in me.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for your openness, the shared lunches, and the many valuable experiences. Even though our paths are now parting sooner than planned, it was an enriching and wonderful time at Janus!
