“My social internship made me realize how important music is in my life”

24 October 2025

Vanessa (16) from Amsterdam Noord has always enjoyed coming to the jam sessions at the youth center De Valk of Stichting Dock. To make music together and meet fun people. In the fifth grade of her pre-university education, the Volunteer Center Amsterdam (VCA) talked about the possibility of doing a social internship. Vanessa thought that sounded interesting, so she went for an interview with Wendy, a mediator from VCA. Wendy mentioned that with her musical interest, she might be able to work at De Valk. And so it happened. Now, six months later, she reflects: “It’s an incredibly exciting and very educational internship!”

No content to translate.The first day was the most exciting: “On my very first internship evening, I opened the jam session with a long guitar session. It was very quiet around me, and I was extremely nervous. After a while, the drums kicked in, followed by the piano. It went very well. When a rapper even started singing along, that was absolutely amazing, and my nervous feeling turned into pride.” In the following weeks, Vanessa’s self-confidence grew.No content to translate.

Set up podium

During a social internship, students do volunteer work as part of the curriculum. At her internship at De Valk, Vanessa learns a lot about the technical side of the jam sessions, which is exactly what she wanted. She got answers to questions like: which cables are important and what are all those buttons on the mixing console for? During the jam sessions, Vanessa helps set up the microphone, the mixing console, the lights, and the amplifiers. In fact, she helps set up everything on and around the stage. “I can’t do it completely independently yet, but I am a good assistant.”This is a non-translatable text.

Music creates a bond

Vanessa plays classical guitar in various styles, from Spanish and South American to pop music and much more. “Music creates a bond between people. And music also helps me to feel better quickly when things are not going well. It distracts me. After school, I always spend half an hour playing the guitar in my room. Then I calm down a bit.” Vanessa mentions that she enjoys being able to spend some time on herself. “Sometimes I am quite introverted and don’t go out much. The interaction with peers at school is fun, but can also be tiring. And there is a lot going on in the world around us, such as climate issues or war. Making music helps me, but also talking to friends and family. That way I don’t keep everything to myself and I also see things from someone else’s perspective.”

Caring and loving

Vanessa already knew her internship supervisor from a musical talent show. “I won the second prize there, haha.” However, before starting the social internship, she first had an official introductory interview. Questions were asked such as: what do you want to learn exactly, and why? During the internship, Vanessa learns all kinds of tasks in a very practical way: the supervisor demonstrates something and then she does it herself. “And if I don’t know something or feel nervous about something, I can ask anything. When I wasn’t feeling so great, the colleagues were very caring and kind. They even brought me a bag of chips when I was sitting in a corner doing homework for school. And they gave me something to drink. It really felt like a community.”

Make money with music

Vanessa knows that only a few people really succeed in making a living with music. After getting her diploma, she wants to study computer science at the University of Amsterdam for a year. “But focusing more on the societal aspect of computer science, rather than the technical side,” she explains. “I am considering choosing music in the second year. Maybe at the conservatory.” Vanessa talks a lot with her parents and teachers about the possible choices for her future. The social internship at Dock also helps her gain insight into the options available.This is a non-translatable content.

Dream

Next year, the final exam year is approaching. “My dream is to find a job later on that I really enjoy and where I can still do fun new things alongside. I love making music with people who are just as passionate as I am. People who deliberately make time for it. For example, I would love to play in a band.” Furthermore, Vanessa wants a partner with whom she feels comfortable, make good friends, and take care of her family. “And now I am certain that I want to keep music in my life!”This is a non-translatable text, so no translation is needed.