Jip Sanders’ Post

Life comes at you fast! These past six months have been a true test of character filled with early mornings, late nights, challenges, and accomplishments. It certainly wasn’t smooth-sailing. Oftentimes, I had to remind myself of my favourite quote from Brandon Sanderson: “The most important step a man can take? It's not the first one. It's the next one. Always the next step.” This mindset helped me grow more than I had anticipated. In March, I became a member of the /// family by joining the Product Launch and Optimisation team of adidas, pushing the Fall-Winter 2024 range live across all channels for our EU Partner Program, monitoring the status of these articles, and consequently achieving all KPIs. From day one I have felt at home in the team. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me with open arms, shared their knowledge, and patiently explained the intricacies of the role to me. Alongside this full-time internship, I wrote my Graduation Project about the “Attitude towards Artificial Intelligence in adidas’ Digital Workforce”, conducting quantitative research into employee acceptance and creating actionable recommendations - obtaining an 8 as a final grade. This also means that my Bachelors degree in International Business is now in the pocket! Finally, I represented Hanze in the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition under Kees Voogd’s supervision in which we designed an app to combat mobile addiction through a personalised and gamified journey that educates the user about philosophy, well-being, mindfulness, psychology, and more. With the objective of replacing screen time spent doom-scrolling and chasing dopamine for personal development and awareness under the mantra: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this adventure! I’m excited to discover what is next.

One thing that became evident to me last year is the importance of data within businesses. As I am now nearly done with my bachelor's degree, I decided to dedicate some of my energy towards learning something that I find extremely interesting - currently working on obtaining a skill set that is becoming invaluable. I have just completed the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, and it's been an incredibly fun challenge. Onto the next one!

I am by no means a programming expert (yet), but I am stoked to announce that I just completed the online course: Python for Data Science, AI & Development from IBM. Being able to code will definitely help me achieve my goal of becoming a Data Scientist!

Just like that half a year at Rip Curl pass by! This has been one big journey for me, with plenty of challenges. I arrived in Australia with a 20kg suitcase, and I left with a 20kg suitcase. The difference? The suitcase is now filled to the brim with Rip Curl products! Rip Curl revolves around “The Search” - a philosophy that embodies adventure, new experiences, and the simple pleasures in life. Living on the other side of the globe for a whole year, I believe that this philosophy is the perfect way to describe my experience. I have now acquired a taste of The Search, and I know that I never want to return to an ordinary lifestyle. There is just so much out there to learn and explore. My role as Marketing Assistant allowed me to work on such a wide variety of tasks - from daily digital marketing activities, to sending products for sponsored athletes, to interacting with affiliates. I got the chance to interact with a lot of the Rip Curl Crew. I would like to thank everyone at Rip Curl for being so helpful, explaining and showing alternative manners to approaching tasks. The entire crew is extremely accommodating and supportive. Caleb Williams deserves all the praise. I truly could not have asked for a better supervisor. Caleb always found a way to patiently explain the intricacies of Digital/Social Media Marketing. As a result, I was not afraid to ask questions and share creative approaches that I thought could work. These past six months have flown by, and it feels like the beginning of a new, refreshing, and exciting chapter of my life. I am so grateful to everyone who helped me with this wonderful opportunity! The whole experience has been invaluable. — #RipCurl #TheSearch

One moment you are anxiously awaiting your interview for an internship at Rip Curl, and the next moment you are walking amongst the best surfers in the world! Working at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach has to be one of the coolest things I’ve done so far! Special thanks to Caleb Williams for helping me, and teaching me how to become a Social Media Guru! 🔔 #ripcurl #bellsbeach #wsl #internship

I am writing this post to express my gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to work as a Digital Marketing Intern at the Rip Curl headquarters in Torquay. I started two weeks ago, but it feels like a lifetime worth of learning and growth. The people I have had the privilege of working with are truly remarkable. My colleagues are not just knowledgeable in their respective fields but are also incredibly supportive, actively involving me in the work they do and taking the time to explain things to me. This has made my onboarding experience seamless and has allowed me to quickly acclimate to the work environment. As a Digital Marketing Intern, I am eager to become an expert in my field and I am confident that I will achieve this goal within the next six months. I am excited about the prospect of learning from the best in the industry and contributing to the growth and success of Rip Curl. I would like to extend a special thank you to Austin Simms and Bart Nollen for making this opportunity possible for me. Their support and encouragement have been instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. I am grateful for this opportunity and for the wonderful team I get to work with. They have made me feel like a valuable member of the team, and I am proud to be a part of such an outstanding group of individuals. Here's to a fantastic journey ahead! #ripcurl #digitalmarketing #internship #promptengineering

*This message was written using ChatGPT, but the funny thing is that I can wholeheartedly agree with anything that has been said below* What is the point of even writing essays anymore? My study exchange at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok has been one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life. It has opened my eyes to a new culture, new people, and new ways of living. It has taught me so much about the world and about myself. I will always treasure the memories I have made here and the lessons I have learned. The warmth and kindness of the Thai people has touched my heart in a way I never thought possible. Their generosity and hospitality have made me feel like I am truly part of the community. I will always remember the laughter and joy I shared with my new friends, and the memories we made together. I am also grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in Thai culture and learn about the customs, traditions, and daily way of life of the locals. It has given me a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the country and the importance of preserving it. The natural beauty of the region has also left a lasting impression on me. The stunning beaches, islands, and rainforests have reminded me of the importance of protecting our planet for future generations to enjoy. This study exchange has not only been an academic journey but also a personal one. I have grown so much as a person and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I will carry the lessons I have learned here with me for the rest of my life and I will always look back with a massive smile on my face. #chatgpt #utcc #future