Maaike on her Graduation Project at Learning & Development
“From Tourism to Learning & Development: a surprisingly good match!”
Maaike studies Tourism Management at Saxion University of Applied Sciences and successfully completed her graduation project within the Learning & Development (L&D) department at Booking Experts. It wasn’t the most obvious path from tourism to L&D, but that made it even more exciting for her. Maaike wasn’t entirely sure which direction she wanted to take within tourism until her study advisor pointed her to this graduation opportunity in L&D.
“Because Booking Experts operates in the recreation and tourism sector, it felt like the perfect combination of my studies and something new,” Maaike explains.
How it all started
Maaike: “The vacancy immediately caught my attention. It was a practical graduation project, involving research with users in the recreation sector. Learning & Development is a broad field, which suited my personal interests very well. I knew right away that this was the place I wanted to graduate. It felt great to apply my knowledge in a real-world setting.”
The research
Maaike’s research focused on the training programs for Booking Experts’ reservation system. “Until now, the trainings were mostly based on the team’s market insights and expertise, combined with assumptions and intuition. My goal was to find out what users really need and which learning styles they prefer, so that the trainings would better match their requirements.”
She worked with the ADDIE model, from analysis to design, ending with a concrete final product. “The hardest part was translating the theory into a practical product, but that challenge also made the process enjoyable and very educational.”
Highlights of the project
“The part I enjoyed most was designing the trainings. That’s where I could really use my creativity. The analysis was challenging but also very interesting. The conversations with users were very valuable: they were enthusiastic, gave feedback and genuinely wanted to help. Since I myself come from the industry (I work at a holiday park), I immediately had a good connection with them, which made it even more fun.”
Teamwork and atmosphere
About the L&D team, Maaike says: “The guidance from my graduation supervisor Sanne (Learning & Development Specialist) was really good. I had no prior experience in L&D, but I received clear tools and advice whenever I got stuck. The onboarding was also well organized: I followed a personalized learning path within Booking Experts’ learning management system, which gave me direct access to all the relevant information for my project.”
“The balance between office and home working also worked well. Enschede isn’t just around the corner, so we agreed I would be at the office two fixed days a week and work flexibly from home the rest of the week. That worked really well.”
“What I also appreciated were the afternoon walks where I could discuss my project with colleagues. I was also invited to social activities like pingpong and drinks, but it was always my choice to join. This way I could feel fully involved without any obligation, which I really liked.”
Key takeaways
Maaike: “Everything is still open for my next step, but my graduation project has given me a lot of insight into what I’m looking for in a future job. It’s not just about professional knowledge, but also personal development. Skills like collaborating with colleagues or managing your time effectively are things you truly learn in practice here.”
Tips for future graduates
Are you about to start your graduation project? Maaike shares her tips:
- Create your own structure. Booking Experts offers a lot of flexibility, but having a clear plan helps you stay on track;
- Talk to everyone. Don’t be afraid to approach colleagues. You’ll gather all the information you need and get to know your team;
- Ask for help and be proactive. It’s your graduation project, so taking initiative is key;
- Take breaks from your laptop and brainstorm with someone. It helps generate new ideas and keeps your work moving forward;
- Expect ups and downs. Sometimes they last a day, sometimes a week, but you always get through them!
Ready to start your graduation project?
Maaike’s experience shows that graduating at Booking Experts is more than theory: it’s about learning, developing and collaborating in practice. Whether you’re interested in Learning & Development or still exploring which direction suits you, at BEX you have the chance to grow and experience what the real working life is like.
Curious if a spot could be available for you soon? Keep an eye on our vacancies and discover when you can start your graduation project or internship at Booking Experts or submit an open application! 👇
