Remco Stam, product designer at SE Factory, remembers his first days at the company well: "It all started with a graduation assignment from my Industrial Product Design course at the Hanze. I made a redesign of one of SE Factory's products, because the company wanted to see what options were available to update the components of their EMDR Kit. Before I knew it, my design was put into production and I was hired after graduation!” SE Factory once started as a small initiative from the psychology practice Psy-zo!, also located on Zernike Campus. Peter Meems, marketing manager: “We are now a thriving company on Campus Groningen with a wide range of responsibilities and opportunities for young talents such as Remco."
Remco: "We sell and design the EMDR Kit, a collection of therapeutic equipment consisting of a lamp, pulsators, and headphones. These parts are available in two models: wired and wireless.” His work is multidimensional: "It is not just redesigning our products," Remco emphasizes. "It is also listening to feedback from therapists and customers and incorporating it into the designs. This is how we keep our products relevant and effective."
What makes SE Factory an attractive internship and workplace on Campus? "We have assignments for students and young professionals from different fields of study," Peter explains. "You can not only do an internship here, but also participate in real projects, for example the sales process through our webshop. It is a place where you can learn about the manufacturing process, finances, sales, design choices and even entrepreneurship."
Open and lots of opportunities
Both gentlemen see many development opportunities for students and young professionals at Campus Groningen. Remco encourages students to contact companies: "Companies that are located on Campus Groningen, are open to spontaneous visits and contact. Otherwise they would not be on campus, but elsewhere where there is less interaction."
Peter points to the design of several buildings on campus as an example of openness: "You see that companies, such as Avebe, want to radiate an open character. Our new building also has an open facade, which hopefully makes people feel welcome to walk in and we also want to be actively involved in the campus community. For example, we are the start and finish location of the Campus Trail this year, literally opening the doors of our building.”
Surprisingly skilled
Peter has great appreciation for the competences of young professionals who are starting their careers: "What I like most is that they can often do much more than you expect. Young people who are enthusiastic and motivated often have a surprising number of skills, such as Remco. He really is a true inventor."
