Nikol Parvanova, Marketing intern

Cheerful, proactive, organised, communicative and an activist. A huge lover of nature and bulgarian traditions. Hobby – zoology.

Favourite quote:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world!” – Mahatma Gandhi.

What made you apply for the intern program in Walltopia? Why?

I was driven by my interest for new things and innovations. I wanted to experience the “Walltopia” feeling during my summer 2017, instead of wasting my time. Walltopia for me is the company which every young person with entrepreneurial spirit should taste and experience.

Tell us more about the department you are in?

The marketing is very communicative department. All the information about events and advertisement materials goes through it and you catch up fast with the processes in the company. The people are extremely funny and happy, which makes the work easy and pleasurable.

Describe your job in one word only?

Varied.

Tell us about a cool/fun story you had ’till now with our team?

One friday after work we gathered at the pool with several people from other departments, and we swimmed with pool rafts (inflatable flamingo, swan, ice cream and donut), trying not to get wet, because the water was cold but at the end this was the most unsuccessful thing.

What is your first impression of climbing?

Complex and challenging sport. I am glad that I have the opportunity to practice and get to know it.

Advice for interns year 2018?

Be patient and proactive

Silviya, Marketing Intern

I was born in Varna, but I have spent a greater proportion of my conscious life in various places with this dynamic pace having made me an open-minded and thirsty for new knowledge and sensations person. I graduated high school in Veliko Tarnovo at “American college Arcus” and continued with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism & Marketing at University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Both courses are really interesting – marketing develops proactiveness and out-of-the-box thinking, while tourism reflects my dream to travel across all countries. I also value the little beautiful details that construct our world and am I wild cat-lover. One day I hope I’d be given the chance to get up on the TED stage and share my personal inspirational story. 🙂

Favourite quote:

Christopher Columbus has said an everlasting quote concerning one’s success and getting out of your comfort zone: “You shall never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

What made you apply for the intern program at Walltopia? Why?

One of my most valuable childhood memories is how my family and I spent our summer days in Sinemorets- I’d love to climb on the rocky shore as a monkey.

Years later, I opened jobs.bg and I saw Walltopia’s advertisement about the internship program. It completely encompassed what I was looking for in the sphere of marketing and in a company that is considered as a leader in the climbing sector. I am being stimulated with each day to expand my knowledge and skills in this area by learning from the experience and professional skills of my colleagues while working in the coolest environment there could possibly be!

Tell us more about the department you are in?

I started working as part of the marketing department of Walltopia and I joined the HR one later on. Since the very beginning I was excited by the fantastic atmosphere here- there’s quite few of us, but all of us are amazing young people who have vision and strong internal drive to progress.

Each day holds new and interesting things to be completed by the end of it. Regarding marketing, this includes tasks of various nature- I would have to call with questions or propositions to various companies, most of theм foreign. Other time, I’d have to urgently look up for information about accommodation and end dates for events. We put an emphasis on organising our presentations during the largest and most influential global conferences with the purpose of promoting the company.

Concerning my HR duties, I am responsible for coordinating the hours for the interviews, communicating first- hand with the applicants and keeping track of their documentation. I’ve recently started to attend the interviews and this has given me valuable insight into the skills and qualifications a company with the size of Walltopia’s looks for from an interviewee.

Describe your work in one word only:

Dedication.

Tell us about a cool/fun story you had ’till now with our team?

My brightest memory so far is from the party organized for our agents and clients hosted at the end of June. The whole atmosphere was filled with laughter, a gorgeous sunset, super music, delicious food (I’ve lost track of the number of times I went to grab some more), breathtaking views revealing the mountains and, overall- it was just an out-of-space experience! The photos taken say it all 🙂 I won’t exaggerate if I said that this was definitely one the best parties I’ve ever been to! The dances, the cool emotions, simply everything kept me from going back home until the very end, which is somewhere around 5 am. And I was ready for more!

What is your first impression of climbing?

That’s my new favourite sport! It requires not only physical endurance, but it also has an intellectual part in it- you must give yourself some time before starting to climb in order to review the route, to notice which holds are better to be grabbed and which- to step on. And there’s always this “Damn, that’s high!” moment when you reach the top- but that’s exactly from where satisfaction is derived because it’s like your personal victory. You come to the gym driven by the motivation to compete- with yourself. You aspire to internal and external progress!

There’s also a social element to it because we help each other by giving advices while climbing, we laugh together and we rest together when we feel our arms pumped.

Advice for interns year 2018?

One of the most important advices would be to be courageous and to believe in yourself and your capabilities to learn and develop! Here at Walltopia, you succeed with  the right attitude- that is, to desire to grow and to never stop striving for more. The successful results of the company are based explicitly on the amazing teamwork spirit of my colleagues and on their desire to manifest every project they start into a complete, usable and provoking excitement facility which could serve as a standard for the professionalism of Walltopia.

Boyana Boynovska, Marketing intern

I was born in Troyan, graduated high school in Veliko Tarnovo in the “American college Arcus” and afterwards I continued my studies in Reading, England, where I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. After graduating, I moved back to Bulgaria and I dedicated the past year to my professional growth in the tourism sector where I gained a lot of knowledge about business development in Bulgaria and working with people.

Favourite quote:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

What made you apply for the intern program in Walltopia? Why?

As an individual who is interested in the field of entrepreneurship, the first reason was that I was extremely impressed by the Walltopia CEO Ivaylo Penchev, specifically, by his way of thinking, frankness and, of course, success. As his public manifestations grew in number, I told myself “I would like to work exactly for this man!”. While I was reviewing the company’s website, I saw the post about the internship program and it was the only available position that matched my qualifications and skills. Although I already had a job I liked, my interest towards Walltopia prevailed. I applied for this place, because for me the company is completely unique in terms of the fact that it stimulates one’s proactivity and entrepreneurial attitude. Driven by my desire to work for a Bulgarian company, which is the leader in their field, I came for an interview at Walltopia and here I am now. 🙂

Tell us more about the department you are in?

I initially began within the Marketing and Human Resources department, with the latter occupying a larger proportion of my tasks as it was a priority for us to find a new Executive Assistant working for Mr. Penchev. As the process was taking way too long, I was temporary offered this position and I accepted it with great pleasure. I can confidently say that this job is extremely dynamic and interesting as each day exposes something different from the rest in terms of daily tasks, subjects of conversations, etc. Bearing in mind I work at Mr. Penchev’s office, I learn new and useful things every day I am here, which is of great importance for a person, who has just started working at Walltopia and would want to continue here in the future.

Describe your job in one word only?

Development.

Tell us about a cool/fun story you had ’till now with our team?

After my first 3 days spent at work, I understood there was going to be party organised for our clients and colleagues and hosted at the rooftop of our new office at Sofia Tech Park. Eventually I found out that this was going to be a rooftop pool party (come on, which business building has a pool on its roof?! 🙂 ). It was amazing- a super cool start, because I realised how positive and open-minded my colleagues are. Everyone, apart from being professionals, knows how to have fun. And what could possibly be cooler than getting into the golden mean?

What is your first impression of climbing?

Although I have climbed only once, I can say that it’s really interesting and it’s a great way to work out. Apart from the physical intensity, there is also a strategic moment, because it is essential to consider your next step. In my opinion, this is what builds one’s growth and improvement. Perseverance and the strive for development are the basis not only in climbing, but in each work as well.

Advice for interns year 2018?

My advice is to derive the maximum of this program because there truly is a lot to learn. To be active, curious and not to be afraid to ask questions, because without them there are no answers.

Teofil Dzhambazov, R&D Intenrn