Juan’s internship journey: Learning combined with real-world impact

Over the past six months, Juan Gallego has combined his International Business Studies at Hogeschool Rotterdam with a graduate internship at MarineSolar. Working on market research and strategic positioning for NanoDeck™, he has gained hands-on experience while contributing valuable insights to the team. We caught up with Juan to reflect on his experience.

Q: What attracted you to an internship with MarineSolar?

A: What attracted me to MarineSolar was that it is a growing startup with an innovative product. I liked the idea of joining a company where I could take on real responsibilities and contribute to something that is still evolving. The combination of sustainability, innovation, and the opportunity to make an actual impact made it an exciting place to start my professional career.

Q: How did the experience compare to your expectations?

A: It exceeded my expectations. Working closely with Joep allowed me to learn a lot, not only about the maritime industry but also about how a growing business operates. I had the opportunity to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders, travel to Manchester twice, and work alongside the team behind such an innovative product. Seeing how different departments collaborate towards the same goal was a valuable experience.

Q: What has been your favourite project or task to work on?

A: My favourite project was definitely the data analysis for my graduation thesis. It taught me how to process large datasets, identify meaningful patterns, and turn complex information into practical insights that can support business decision-making. It was rewarding to see how research and data could be translated into recommendations with real value for the company.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about your thesis?

A: My thesis focused on developing an evidence-based market-entry framework for MarineSolar’s NanoDeck™ technology, designed to support strategic decision-making for its expansion into the European maritime market. The framework combined desk research, EU regulatory analysis (including the impact of FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS), operational vessel data, and industry expert interviews to evaluate and rank vessel segments using a structured multi-criteria decision-making approach.

Rather than relying on assumptions, the research assessed market attractiveness, regulatory exposure, technical feasibility, and commercial potential to identify the vessel segment that offers the strongest opportunity for initial market entry.

It was a valuable experience because it allowed me to solve a real strategic business challenge while applying academic research methods to develop practical recommendations that can support MarineSolar’s future growth.

Q: Were there any unexpected benefits or challenges?

A: One of the biggest benefits was learning from such a close group of experienced professionals. Because the team is relatively small, I had the opportunity to learn something from almost every department and gain a much broader understanding of how a business operates. It gave me exposure to areas that I would probably not have experienced in a larger organisation.

Q: What skills have you developed since joining the team?

A: I have mainly developed my analytical skills by working with large amounts of data and transforming it into useful business insights. At the same time, I improved my communication skills by working with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders, which taught me how important clear communication is in a professional environment.

Q: What did you enjoy most about being part of a company at this stage of growth?

A: I enjoyed seeing how everyone contributes towards the same objective with a high level of dedication and professionalism. In a growing company, every team member has an important role, and you can clearly see how everyone's work contributes to the company's progress. That creates a motivating environment to be part of.

Q: Has this experience influenced your career goals or future plans?

A: Yes, it has. It showed me that I enjoy working in an environment where responsibility is earned through initiative and performance rather than hierarchy. Throughout my internship I was trusted with significant responsibilities, which gave me confidence in my ability to contribute to meaningful projects and solve real business challenges.

Q: Would you recommend this type of internship to other students?

A: Absolutely. It gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, take ownership of meaningful projects, and learn directly from professionals who are actively building the business. It is an environment where you can develop both professionally and personally.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?

A: One thing that stood out to me is how much MarineSolar invests in its interns. Rather than limiting students to a specific role, the team encourages you to learn about different parts of the business and always takes the time to explain and share their knowledge. Everyone is approachable, supportive, and genuinely passionate about bringing NanoDeck™ to the market, which creates a positive environment to learn and grow.