Afstudeerstage UX Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Afstudeerstage UX Design Company: KPN Location: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands Job Type: Intern Category: UX Design / Customer Experience Operations Date Posted: 2025-11-04T13:52:45.625 Experience Level: 0-2 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on enhancing the digital user experience for KPN's business customers, aligning with GTM strategy through improved customer journeys.
• You will actively contribute to the expansion and maintenance of the KPN Design System and a dedicated UX library, fostering brand consistency and operational efficiency.
• The role involves collaborative work within the Customer Centricity team, specifically with the UX Guild, to develop and implement customer-focused solutions.
• This position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in process improvement initiatives that directly impact customer satisfaction and operational effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original title is "Afstudeerstage UX Design" (Graduation Internship UX Design), this role is being framed within an operations context due to its focus on customer processes, design systems, and contributing to a "Customer Centricity" team. This team's objective of improving customer experience for business clients directly supports Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by ensuring a smooth and effective customer journey. The emphasis on a "Design System" and "UX Library" also relates to operationalizing design standards for efficiency and consistency across customer touchpoints.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Customer Centricity team to identify and streamline complex customer processes, aiming to simplify the experience for KPN's business clients.
• Contributing to the development and enrichment of the KPN Design System and a comprehensive UX library, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across digital platforms.
• Proactively generating and proposing innovative ideas and initiatives that have a tangible impact on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
• Working closely with experienced UX professionals within the UX Guild to learn best practices and contribute to the design and delivery of customer-centric solutions.
• Participating in cross-functional collaborations within the Customer Centricity department (Customer Journey/UX, Content, Customer Experience) to leverage diverse talents and experiences for optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are expanded to highlight the operational impact of UX design within a corporate setting. "Improving customer processes" is framed as a key operational objective, and "designing a UX-library" is linked to creating standardized operational assets. The collaboration aspect is emphasized to reflect the cross-functional nature of operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Multimedia Design (HBO Communication & Multimedia Design).

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 months of full-time availability for the internship. A 4-day work week can be discussed.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Dutch and English (spoken and written).
• Experience with design tools such as Figma.
• A strong digital mindset with a creative and curious approach.
• Excellent attention to detail and a structured method for task execution.
• Demonstrable ability to share ideas and contribute to team discussions.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior exposure to UX research methodologies and user-centered design principles.
• Familiarity with design system principles and component-based design.
• Understanding of customer journey mapping and process optimization techniques.
• Experience in collaborating within a team environment, particularly on digital projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements are detailed to emphasize the practical application of design skills within a business context. "Structured approach" and "attention to detail" are highlighted as critical for operations roles. Experience with Figma is specified as a key technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of projects demonstrating your ability to translate user needs into intuitive and effective digital designs.
• Examples of contributions to design systems or style guides, illustrating an understanding of consistency and scalability.
• Case studies highlighting your process from problem definition to solution, emphasizing user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• Projects that demonstrate your ability to work with collaboration tools and incorporate feedback from stakeholders or team members.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design decisions, user flows, and interaction patterns clearly and concisely.
• Understanding of how design specifications are communicated to development teams for efficient implementation.
• Experience in contributing to or managing a UX library or component-based design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, an operations-focused internship often implies a need to demonstrate structured thinking and the ability to contribute to scalable design assets. The portfolio requirements are tailored to reflect this, focusing on process, systemization (design system), and clear documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• A monthly internship allowance of EUR 600,- (based on a 40-hour work week).

Benefits:

• Hybrid work arrangement: 2 days in the office (Rotterdam or Amsterdam) and 3 days working from home.
• A laptop provided by KPN, which can also be used for your school assignments.
• Reimbursement of travel costs for train or car if you do not have a student public transport card.
• Dedicated professional coaching and guidance from a fixed supervisor throughout your internship.
• Access to a broad network of KPN experts who are willing to share their knowledge and contacts.
• Opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills through the KPN Academy and various workshops.
• Engaging social activities organized by Jong KPN and the intern network.
• Regular social gatherings and activities at the office, fostering team camaraderie.

Working Hours:

• Full-time commitment expected (minimum 5 months, 4 days per week is negotiable). The standard working hours are 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is provided as a fixed amount. Netherlands has a strong social safety net and benefits for interns, which are detailed here. The hybrid nature of the role is emphasized, along with the specific office locations for KPN.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications Company Size: Large (KPN is a major telecommunications provider in the Netherlands, indicated by its significant employee base and market presence). Founded: KPN has a long history, tracing its origins back to 1852, evolving into a modern digital services provider.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the relatively new Customer Centricity department, established less than 1.5 years ago, emphasizing a "build-as-we-grow" environment.
• This department is structured around three key pillars: Customer Journey/UX, Content, and Customer Experience, with strong interdependencies and a focus on continuous collaboration.
• The UX Guild operates as a specialized group of experts within this department, providing a hub for digital user experience knowledge.

Methodology:

• A strong "digital first" and "customer-centric" philosophy guides the department's operations.
• Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing between different functional areas within Customer Centricity.
• A balance between high-quality work and a positive, social work environment is actively promoted, with a motto of "working hard and laughing hard."

Company Website: https://www.kpn.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is built from KPN's established presence in the Dutch telecommunications sector. The description of the Customer Centricity department as "young" and "building together" is interpreted as a dynamic, evolving operational environment where new processes and structures are likely being refined.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, designed for students to gain foundational experience in UX design and customer-centric operations within a large corporate setting. Reporting Structure: You will report to a dedicated, fixed supervisor within the Customer Centricity team, who will provide professional coaching. You will also work closely with the UX Guild, offering exposure to experienced professionals. Operations Impact: While an internship, your contributions to improving customer processes and expanding the design system can have a direct, albeit localized, impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This role provides a view into how UX design underpins GTM strategies by influencing customer adoption and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen UX design skills, gain practical experience with Figma, and learn about design system implementation. Access to KPN Academy and workshops for broader skill enhancement.
• Networking: Build a professional network within KPN, connecting with experts across various departments and with fellow interns through Jong KPN and the intern network.
• Industry Exposure: Gain insight into the operations of a major telecommunications company, understanding how UX contributes to business objectives and customer engagement.
• Career Foundation: This internship serves as a stepping stone, providing valuable experience and references for future roles in UX, design, or operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Growth Opportunities" section is tailored to reflect the developmental nature of an internship and how it can serve as a launchpad for a career in operations-adjacent fields like UX design. The focus is on skill acquisition, networking, and understanding the broader business context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, blending office-based collaboration with remote flexibility. Office Location(s): KPN operates in both Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The internship allows for working from either location, with a required minimum of 2 days per week in the office. Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as social and collaborative, with opportunities for fun activities and regular informal gatherings.
• You will have access to KPN's technology infrastructure, including a provided laptop, facilitating seamless work on design and development tasks.
• Close interaction with experienced UX professionals and other team members within the Customer Centricity department is encouraged, fostering a supportive learning atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• The internship requires a minimum of 5 months of full-time availability, with flexibility for a 4-day work week if negotiated. The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, allowing for structured workdays that align with business operations and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of the modern work environment, and its implications for collaboration and work-life balance are highlighted. The provision of office locations and the expectation of in-office days are important details for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR screening followed by an interview with the hiring manager (Julie Kleijzen) to assess your background, motivation, and availability.
• Skills Assessment: You may be asked to present your portfolio and discuss specific projects, demonstrating your UX design process, problem-solving skills, and familiarity with tools like Figma.
• Team/Manager Interview: An interview with members of the Customer Centricity team or UX Guild to evaluate your cultural fit, collaboration potential, and understanding of customer-centric principles.
• Final Discussion: Potentially a final conversation to confirm details, discuss the internship's scope, and answer any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project – from understanding the problem and user needs to ideation, prototyping, and iteration.
• Highlight Figma Use: Be prepared to discuss specific Figma features you utilized, such as component libraries, auto layout, and prototyping capabilities, demonstrating practical tool proficiency.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: If possible, include projects where you collaborated with others (team members, stakeholders) and explain how you managed feedback and integrated diverse perspectives.
• Focus on Impact: While it's an internship, frame your contributions in terms of potential or actual impact on user experience, process efficiency, or design consistency.
• Tailor to KPN: Research KPN's brand, services, and customer base. If possible, subtly align your portfolio examples with telecommunications or digital service contexts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical UX challenges related to customer processes or digital product design within a telecommunications context.
• Prepare to explain how you would approach simplifying a complex user flow or improving a specific feature based on user feedback.
• Practice articulating your design choices and rationale clearly and concisely, as you would in a team meeting or design review.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is detailed to provide actionable advice for operations-centric internships. The emphasis is on demonstrating process, tool proficiency, and collaborative potential, which are key indicators of an operational mindset.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating and utilizing design systems, components, and interactive prototypes is expected.
• Collaboration Tools: Likely use of internal KPN platforms for communication and project management (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence), though not explicitly mentioned.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this UX design internship, understanding how user behavior data (e.g., from analytics platforms) informs design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Awareness of how CRM systems and automation tools might impact customer journeys and user experience is advantageous, though direct experience is not required.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Other operational tools are inferred based on the context of a large tech company and a hybrid work environment, highlighting the technology stack that a UX designer would interact with or be aware of.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: The core value driving the department. All efforts, including design, are focused on understanding and serving the business customer.
• Digital First: A commitment to leveraging digital solutions and platforms to deliver services and improve experiences.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working together across different functions within Customer Centricity and with the UX Guild.
• Innovation & Fresh Perspectives: Encouragement for interns and team members to bring new ideas and challenge existing approaches.
• Quality & Efficiency: A drive to produce high-quality work while optimizing processes for better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with content creators, customer experience specialists, and other UX designers.
• Open Communication: The culture encourages sharing ideas and feedback openly. "Hard work and hard laughter" suggests a direct yet friendly communication style.
• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and share your unique perspectives as an intern.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are extracted directly from the job description's narrative about the Customer Centricity department, emphasizing the operational ethos of customer focus, digital integration, and collaborative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a New Department: The Customer Centricity department is young, meaning processes and structures may still be evolving, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach.
• Balancing School and Internship: Managing the demands of a full-time internship alongside academic requirements for graduation can be challenging.
• Translating Theory to Practice: Applying academic knowledge of UX design to real-world business problems and corporate environments.
• Contributing to a Design System: Understanding the complexities and best practices involved in building and maintaining a scalable design system for a large organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Design Specialization: Gain hands-on experience in a professional UX design setting, refining skills in user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
• Corporate Operations Insight: Understand how design functions within a large telecommunications company and its impact on GTM strategies and customer operations.
• Professional Networking: Build connections with industry professionals and fellow interns, expanding your professional circle.
• KPN Academy & Workshops: Access to KPN's internal learning resources to broaden your skill set beyond core UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the internship's challenges as learning opportunities, a common theme in operations roles where problem-solving and adaptability are key. The growth aspects focus on skill acquisition and understanding business operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach simplifying a complex customer process for a business client, and what UX principles would you apply?" (Focus on structured thinking, user empathy, and process mapping).
• "Describe a project where you used Figma. What were the key features you leveraged, and how did they help you achieve your design goals?" (Prepare to detail your Figma workflow, including components, prototyping, and collaboration).
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX design trends and best practices, and how would you bring fresh ideas to our team?" (Showcase curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in KPN and specifically in this UX Design internship within our Customer Centricity team?" (Research KPN's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Connect your interests to their customer-centric approach).
• "How do you see yourself contributing to our team's goal of improving the customer experience for business clients?" (Highlight your proactive attitude and alignment with their objectives).
• "Describe a time you had to work with constructive criticism on your design work. How did you handle it?" (Demonstrate resilience, openness to feedback, and a collaborative spirit).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation around the story of each project. Start with the problem, explain your approach, showcase your solutions (visuals are key), and discuss the outcomes or learnings.
• Figma Demonstration: If possible, show live examples within Figma or use screen recordings to illustrate your workflow and how you use its features effectively.
• Process Justification: Be ready to explain why you made certain design decisions. Connect your choices back to user needs, business goals, and UX principles.
• Conciseness: Keep your presentations focused and within the allotted time. Highlight the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe for operational thinking, problem-solving skills, tool proficiency, and cultural fit, all crucial for internship success in a corporate environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX Design internship:

• Complete the application through the provided link on the KPN jobs portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX design process, Figma skills, and ability to contribute to a design system or improve user flows.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your academic background (HBO Communication & Multimedia Design), availability, and any relevant project experience, using keywords like "UX Design," "Figma," "Customer Experience," and "Process Improvement."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes clearly. Prepare to discuss your motivations for joining KPN and your understanding of their customer-centric approach.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with KPN's services, target audience (business clients), and recent digital initiatives. Understand the importance of a Design System in maintaining brand consistency and operational efficiency.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.