Introducing one of ApplyBoard’s fantastic Learning & Development Program Managers, Anneke Pries-Junca. Anneke has been helping ApplyBoard Educate the World as a Learning & Development (L&D) Program Manager since July 2021. In this role, she helps ApplyBoardians integrate learning and professional development into their day-to-day lives. This helps all of us build our skills, so we can better support our global students in achieving their study abroad dreams. She recently sat down for an ApplyBoardian Q&A session to share a little about her Life at ApplyBoard.
Keep reading and watch the video below to learn about her journey!
Why Learning and Development?
Anneke gravitated towards working in learning and development because she’s passionate about bringing learners and colleagues together to explore new ideas and ways of thought. She shares a quote that guides her work: “Teachers have three loves: the love of learning, the love of students, and the love of bringing the first two together.”
Anneke’s passion for L&D is rooted in the belief that learning and development “is about creating opportunities for people to learn and grow.” This fuels her commitment to curating meaningful opportunities for ApplyBoardians to learn and thrive in the workplace and beyond.
Making Learning an Intentional Part of Our Lives
When asked how team members can integrate learning into their daily lives, Anneke shares that it’s important to think about the world through a lens of curiosity. When facing a challenging situation, we should pause to ask ourselves these three questions:
- Why does this matter?
- What’s the opportunity?
- What do I need to do?
She goes on to share that “when we shift into that mindset, we realize that there’s so much learning to be had around us. Through curiosity, that’s really how we become learners in our day-to-day lives.”
In 2023, we shone a spotlight on our company’s core values through our Core Values in Action video series!
Turning Curiosity into Personal Development
You may be asking yourself “What do I do with that curiosity?” You can turn curiosity into personal development by recognizing those moments of interest and leveraging them to foster your personal or professional growth.
“Personal development is different for all of us,” Anneke explains. “When we have an experience that sparks curiosity, we should ask ourselves ‘What is going on in that situation, and how can I tap into that to keep growing?’ Use that thinking to define your growth areas and what skills you want to build on.”
Ultimately, curiosity should be a catalyst for personal growth, because it can prompt you to reflect on your experiences and identify areas for development.
Calling all current and future international students! Don’t miss our ApplyBoardian Q&A with Senior Counsel and former international student Dan Cira for his advice on studying abroad.
Learning and Development in Action
For Anneke, learning and development comes to life through various programs at ApplyBoard. Each program offers unique value. During her interview, she focused on the Change Management Program, a recent addition to ApplyBoard’s professional development offerings, and one which she’s helped to curate. This eight-week intensive program guides learners through understanding change situations and building strategies to:
- Effectively implement and manage organizational change
- Gain insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of change
- Create impactful messaging to increase change adoption
- Foster an environment that embraces change by building resilient teams
Through curating and facilitating this program, Anneke is empowering ApplyBoardians to navigate transitions at work and thrive in a dynamic environment. It ultimately equips them with the tools to answer the program’s core question: How do we lead people through change?
ApplyBoard has been recognized on the 2024 edition of the Global Silicon Valley’s GSV 150 list! Learn more about this achievement.
Delivering an A+ Customer Experience to ApplyBoardians
When asked which of ApplyBoard’s core values resonates most with her, Anneke promptly responded that it was Delivering an A+ Customer Experience. She says that “it really helps govern how I show up at work.”
At ApplyBoard, Delivering an A+ Customer Experience is more than just a buzzword—it’s a commitment to excellence. It’s about going beyond the expected to provide that “wow” moment for our internal and external customers, leaving a lasting impression that exceeds their expectations. Whether it’s resolving an issue or answering a question, we always strive to deliver the best possible resolution.
Ultimately, we’re not just customer-focused; we’re customer-obsessed in everything we do. And Anneke truly lives up to that approach. Each day she does all she can to ensure her customer, all ApplyBoardians across the globe, are getting the best possible learning experience, so they can show up for our customers, international students.
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Anneke for her commitment to ApplyBoardians’ ongoing learning and development. ApplyBoard wouldn’t be where we are today without team members like Anneke. Her leadership, thoughtfulness, and positivity continue to inspire us all.
Want to join our innovative team? Explore open roles on the ApplyBoard Careers page!
