Meet Pepijn Houkes: a sporty and ambitious Human Resource Management student who, alongside his studies at Avans University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch, is gaining valuable hands-on experience as a Talent Sourcer at ENTER. Although he wasn’t actively searching for a job in the HR field, an exciting opportunity came his way and he grabbed it with both hands.
A Learning Environment
Pepijn wasn’t specifically looking for a side job when Melle, a good friend and teammate, told him about an open position at ENTER. “He mentioned the role of Talent Sourcer, and it immediately sounded interesting to me,” Pepijn recalls. After interviews with Dieka and Wim, his interest only grew. Not long after, he joined the team at ENTER, where he’s now found his footing.
What Pepijn appreciates most about working at ENTER is the learning culture and the supportive colleagues. “Sometimes the software terms fly right over my head—especially when I talk with Koen,” he laughs. “But if you ask questions, it all starts to make sense.” He feels completely at home within the software team. “We have a weekly team meeting where we go over key topics and results. We also get to see performance metrics, which really motivates me—especially when I see improvement.”
Learning by Doing
The first few weeks took some getting used to. “At first, you don’t really know what profiles you’re looking for or which clients you’re supporting.” But with time, guidance, and commitment, things started to click. “The longer you work at it, the easier it becomes to connect the right candidates with the right roles.”
Pepijn also finds that his work experience feeds directly into his studies. “You learn how to persuade people, like by writing compelling messages. Those communication skills are definitely useful in my degree program as well.”
Since starting in April, Pepijn has grown significantly—both professionally and personally. “I’m starting to really understand the work, and that makes it even more enjoyable.” With his curiosity, drive to learn, and team-oriented mindset, he’s laying a solid foundation for a successful career in HR.
Work Hard, Play Hard
Pepijn manages to strike a healthy balance between work, school, and sports. “So far, it’s been easy to combine with school. It helps that I truly enjoy what I’m doing.” Outside of work, he also connects with colleagues. “Recently, I joined a company padel tournament. Bas and I teamed up—we didn’t win, but we laughed a lot and had a great time.”
Sports and physical activity play a big role in Pepijn’s life. As a dedicated hockey player, he trains three times a week with his team at Basko. In addition, he regularly hits the padel court and goes running. But he’s also someone who enjoys the good life. “I love good food and a nice glass of wine. Going out to eat with my girlfriend, family, or friends is something I really enjoy.”