The motto of Upkot is for students to have the time of their lives. It’s a place where students grow, form friendships, and create memories. Behind the scenes, our coaches are ready to guide them along the way. They are the driving force behind the community, a listening ear, and a helping hand. Today, we take a look at the job of Virguine, one of our enthusiastic coaches. What exactly does her job involve? And what makes it so special?
What does your role as a coach entail?
“It’s not easy to briefly explain what a coach at Upkot does,” Virguine laughs. “It’s a mix of handyman, mentor, and Property staff member. But above all: you are a point of contact and a trusted person for the students. My responsibility lies with the building itself, its maintenance and management. But also with the atmosphere and the community. I want students to have an amazing time here and develop into independent adults.”
How do you give students the time of their lives?
“I had to figure out how to put my own stamp on the job. Upkot is known for its fun activities and Vibrant atmosphere, but I’m not exactly the biggest party animal. Still, I learned that my talents lie elsewhere. I create a warm, comfortable atmosphere where students feel welcome. Everyone has a different energy, and that attracts different tenants as well. That’s what makes it so beautiful: as a coach, you really get to determine your own approach.”
That’s what makes it so beautiful: as a coach, you really get to determine your own approach.
How is the contact with the other coaches?
Although a coach has a lot of independence, nobody is alone. “It’s a job where you do a lot yourself, but it’s so nice to have a team you can rely on. We all learn from each other, you can just call and ask, ‘How would you handle this?’ It’s very nice to be able to be vulnerable and share your experiences.”
How can you shape the job?
The coach role is extremely diverse. “In one day I can be busy clearing blocked showers, thinking about rental strategy, and having conversations with students who are struggling. That contrast is what makes it so interesting. And the freedom you get to shape it in your own way is a huge gift for me. It’s nice that there is this interaction. I adjust my schedule to be there for students in the evenings. At the same time, that opens up my schedule to, for example, study for another bachelor’s degree and be there for my little daughter on Wednesday afternoons. There’s a lot of freedom, but of course there are also expectations.”
Have you recently organized a big event?
“A few months ago there was a big hype around Barbie. And we can’t let a hype pass without doing something ourselves. So, we held a big Barbieland evening. Together with the projects in Antwerp, Hasselt, and Brussels, we organized this in a nightclub in Brussels. Everything was pink, there was a professional makeup team for the students, and there was just not enough glitter to cover everything. It was a fun and successful evening.”
What gives you the most satisfaction?
“The greatest satisfaction I get is from seeing students grow. Sometimes it’s in something small, like teaching them that mopping is a practical skill they really need later when they live on their own. But sometimes it goes further. The best part is when I get to be someone who believes in them, when a student hears: ‘I know you can do this, as long as you believe in yourself.’ And then to see how that person grows and gains more and more confidence in themselves—that is priceless.”
And then to see how that person grows and gains more and more confidence in themselves—that is priceless.
What does the coach team look like?
“As coaches, we are a large group of people who all have the same goal but work in our own regions or buildings. We meet regularly by region, which creates smooth cooperation and a strong team spirit. Within each region, we have a team leader and a community manager. Besides the coaches, we also work closely with the back-office team, which handles administration and rentals. We also work very intensively with the facility team. They ensure that everything we can’t fix ourselves gets solved. For example: I went with an Upstudent to put new stickers on a window, but it didn’t work. Then facility came by, and it still didn’t work, so we called in professionals. But failing is part of growing. And it’s cool that you can do that together with colleagues.”
In what way do you feel like an employee?
“I really feel like an employee when I meet other teams and can quickly connect with them about silly things but also about values and norms. It’s a nice company to be part of. You feel that we are all pulling in the same direction here. Everyone believes in what we are doing. There’s a lot of camaraderie among colleagues, even if you don’t see each other very often. And that’s nice. Even remotely, you feel part of the team.”
You feel that we are all pulling in the same direction here.
Virguine’s enthusiasm and drive to give students the time of their lives shines through everything she does. She plays a crucial role in making the concept of an Upkot come true. Would you like to give students an amazing time in their student housing? Then quickly check out the vacancies at Upgrade Estate.
Want to make an impact?
Interested in working at Upgrade Estate? Check the open vacancies and maybe you’re the perfect match!