What is it Like to Take Part at the AECOC Summer Camp?

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I discovered this opportunity thanks to the Career Service department at my home university, ESCI-UPF. They are truly amazing: whenever an important event or networking activity takes place, they immediately inform students. In this case, they told us about AECOC’s annual Summer Camp, which was held on 25–26 June. Last year it took place in Madrid, while this year’s edition was hosted in Burgos (Castile and León).

The event brought together some of the most important companies in Spain’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, many of which have an international presence. They presented their companies and offered students a wide range of opportunities, from internships to graduate positions. Moreover, the event was not limited to business students. There were also students from fields such as Law and Nutrition, among many others.

Since I had just graduated, this opportunity was perfect for me. I had the time, and I was actively looking for job opportunities. Furthermore, I really enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone and discovering new places. At that point, I had never visited Castile and León, although I already knew about its impressive castles and rich history, as my grandmother was born there. This willingness to explore is something I developed during my Erasmus+ experience in Germany.

Because of that, I decided to apply without any hesitation. The application consisted of a written submission and a video explaining my motivation for participating. If I’m not mistaken, around 300 students applied, but only 100 were selected, and I was fortunate to be one of them. I genuinely felt that everyone there was highly motivated and eager to make the most of the experience.

Not only that, but the AECOC team even contacted me afterwards to offer me a job opportunity. Unfortunately, I was preparing for my Cambridge C1 exam while also volunteering, so I was unable to accept the offer.

AECOC and its partners were incredibly considerate. They covered everything we needed, including transport, accommodation, and meals. I was also impressed by their professionalism. The organisation, planning, and attention to every detail were outstanding. Special thanks to Ylenia Gómez and Cristina Guillaumes, who always replied quickly and did everything possible to help us with a positive attitude.

Before travelling, I was a little nervous because I thought I would be the only ESCI-UPF student attending the event. However, from the very first moment, I met many amazing people, and we are still in touch and continue meeting whenever we can.

The journey began with a flight from Barcelona to La Rioja. From there, a charter coach took us to a student residence in Burgos. After leaving our luggage, we had some free time to explore the city. Burgos Cathedral was absolutely breathtaking.

Later, we went to the Faculty of Law at the University of Burgos (UBU). The building itself was spectacular, resembling a castle, as it was originally a hospital for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.

There, all the participating companies had stands where they introduced themselves and explained their internship and graduate opportunities. Interestingly, we discovered that some of the company representatives had attended the Summer Camp themselves the previous year. In fact, Carlos Cerra, a delegate at ESCI-UPF and a friend of mine who attended last year’s edition in Madrid, recommended that I apply. I am very grateful for his advice.

After the networking session, we attended a variety of presentations and talks. One of the highlights for me was the conversation between Javier Dueñas, CEO of Campofrío, and Ignacio González, CEO of AECOC. They emphasised the importance of developing dynamic capabilities, as today’s geopolitical environment and consumer preferences are constantly changing in unpredictable ways. This immediately reminded me of topics we studied in Strategy with Professor Tomislav Rimac.

There were many other inspiring speakers as well. Jesús Blanco Martínez, Employment Manager for Castile and León, gave practical advice about gaining international work experience before returning home. Meanwhile, the CEO of AI Experience highlighted the importance of writing clear and precise prompts when using artificial intelligence to obtain accurate answers.

One of the talks that had the greatest impact on me was delivered by Alfredo García Cuevas, Director of the Mahou San Miguel production centre in Burgos. His advice became even more meaningful during our guided tour of the production facilities.

He encouraged us to diversify our efforts rather than concentrate exclusively on one area. For example, he argued that it is often better to earn a 6 at university while simultaneously learning English and German than to achieve a 9 by focusing only on university studies. Another practical recommendation was to keep a daily calendar, schedule everything we want to accomplish, and eliminate or delegate tasks that are not truly important.

Over the two days, we combined networking sessions, company presentations, practical workshops, and inspiring speeches, together with breaks to relax and enjoy meals with the other participants. The return journey was also enjoyable. We travelled from Burgos to Madrid by coach and then from Madrid to Barcelona by Renfe, where some of us even had the chance to experience First Class.

Overall, I would strongly encourage ESCI-UPF students to apply for future editions of the AECOC Summer Camp. In short, you will gain:

1. Networking: Meet representatives from leading companies such as ALDI, Mercadona and many others

2. CV + LinkedIn: Being selected for such a competitive event differentiates you

3. Friends: From the very beginning, you will meet students who are at a similar stage in their careers. I even unexpectedly met a former neighbour whom I had never really known before

4. Discover a new place: The location changes every year, making it a perfect excuse to leave your comfort zone and explore a different part of Spain

5. Personal business mentality growth: Listening to CEOs and senior executives from some of Spain’s leading companies provides practical insights that are difficult to gain in the classroom

I would rate this experience 9.5 out of 10. The only reason I am not giving it a perfect score is that I wish it had lasted longer. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!