Choosing your first job is exciting. But it's also a little daunting. You wonder if you have enough experience, whether you'll fit into the team, and if you'll have the opportunity to grow.

A year ago, several of our young colleagues were asking themselves those exact same questions. Today, they're looking back on their first year at Den Berk Délice. And one thing they all agree on: no two days are ever the same.

From internships and job fairs to a first career opportunity

Everyone has their own path to Den Berk Délice.

Anna joined us through her professor while completing her Master's degree in Bioscience Engineering, where she carried out both her internship and master's thesis at our company. Flore discovered Den Berk Délice through a friend who encouraged her to spend a day getting to know the company. Riet met us at the LBK career fair in Leuven, while Ine first got to know us through the same career fair and by working with us during her summer holidays.

What convinced them in the end? Not just the job itself, but above all, the people.

"After spending a day at the company, I was convinced by the great atmosphere. There are so many young people full of energy and passionate about the same things." – Flore Quirijnen

Responsibility from day one, but you're never on your own

Whether you start in crop management or as a team leader, you'll be given responsibility from your very first day. But you'll never have to figure things out alone.

Every new colleague follows a comprehensive onboarding programme, receives training and is coached by experienced team members. This gives you the time and support to grow into your role step by step.

Anna started as a Crop Manager and has since completed additional training in energy management. Ine continues to take on more responsibilities within her role, while Riet quickly developed her leadership skills and now manages several activities in the greenhouse together with her team of assistants.

Formal training is only part of the learning process. Most of what you learn happens on the job. Experienced colleagues guide you, share their knowledge and help you build confidence through practice. For example, our labour team leaders spend many hours working alongside their teams in the greenhouse during their first months. Some things simply can't be learned from a course – you master them by doing them every day.

"From day one, you're given a lot of responsibility, but there's also plenty of support. There's always someone you can turn to with your questions." – Riet Briers

No two days are the same

Working in greenhouse horticulture is anything but a typical office job.

One day you're walking through the greenhouse checking the crop, the next you're analysing data, leading a team or working on a new improvement project. The changing seasons, the weather and the crop itself ensure that every day brings new challenges.

For Anna, it's exactly this combination of hands-on work and data analysis that makes the job so rewarding.

"I love being among the plants and observing how they grow, but I also enjoy analysing data and using it to make decisions. That combination makes my job incredibly interesting." – Anna Van Mechelen

Flore also discovered that her career took a different direction than she had originally expected.

"At first, I thought I'd end up working more in crop management, but I now work as a team leader. I've learned so much about leadership, people management and teamwork – skills you simply don't learn from textbooks." – Flore Quirijnen

Learning doesn't stop after graduation

Graduating doesn't mean you've stopped learning.

At Den Berk Délice, you'll have the opportunity to attend training courses, work on new projects and continue developing yourself. Not only in technical expertise, but also in communication, collaboration and leadership.

If you take initiative, you'll be given opportunities. And perhaps even more importantly: every idea is welcome, whether you've been with the company for one month or one year.

The people make the difference

When we ask our colleagues what they enjoy most about working at Den Berk Délice, one answer keeps coming back: the people.

Our young and enthusiastic team makes it easy to feel at home. During onboarding, you'll get to know not only your own colleagues, but also the different locations and departments within the company. That means you'll quickly build a network across the organisation.

"I've built a close bond with the other starters. Wherever I go within the company, I know someone, which made me feel at home very quickly." – Anna Van Mechelen

Their advice for future graduates

Everyone was new once. Nobody expects you to know everything on your first day.

That's why our young colleagues have one message for students and recent graduates:

"Give yourself time to grow. You don't have to know everything from day one. Stay curious, ask questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes and seize every opportunity to learn. Your degree is just the start of your career – the real learning begins on the job." – Our young starters

Ready to take your first career step?

Are you about to graduate or have you recently earned your degree? Are you looking for a first job where you'll be trusted with responsibility, have plenty of opportunities to learn and become part of a young, enthusiastic team?

We'd love to meet you. Who knows? A year from now, you might be looking back on your own first year at Den Berk Délice.