From student to young professional

Working is a little different from studying. "I now work in the Wholesale & Retail External Reporting department at Rabobank, where I collect data from various systems and convert it into reports for the ECB, for example. I had no work experience when I started and had never done an internship, so the first few months were a bit of a switch," Dirk says. "How does communicating via Teams actually work? How do you deal with tight deadlines? In the beginning everything felt new, but soon it fell into place."

Tip: if you start working on creating a strong CV even before you graduate, you'll soon be 1-0 ahead of the rest! How to do that, Recruiter Cindy gives you tips.

Analytical challenges

"In the meantime, I have found my niche. My work is dynamic and challenging. The reports we produce go directly to regulators such as the European Central Bank (ECB) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). That means that everything has to be correct. We check, analyze and correct data before it is shared externally. I dive deep into the figures and work a lot with tools like Excel and SQL to make analyses. That analytical work really suits me."

Working in the reporting department

In addition to analyzing and reporting, Dirk is involved in process optimization. "We are constantly looking at how we can work smarter and more efficiently. For example, by automating reports or improving processes. The other day I worked on a project in which we created a clearer overview of non-repaid loans and tangible assets taken as collateral."

Combining analytical work, process improvement and project challenges makes his work especially interesting. "It's not just entering numbers and reporting - you really think about improvements and are given room to take initiative. That also makes your own work increasingly easier."

 

Develop quickly

For Dirk, the traineeship at Solid Professionals was a great starting point for his career. “What I found really valuable were the training sessions I took part in. For example, a SQL course that now helps me analyse data more efficiently. But also the two-day Secure Base training, where you learn how to create a sense of safety in a new working environment, was a real eye-opener. During MBTI (a model that helps you discover your personality type), I learned how to work better with different personalities – something that really helps in a team. It also helped me get to know myself better.”

“I’m someone who enjoys working independently during the day by diving deep into datasets. At the end of the day, I like discussing the outcomes and having team conversations – I’m really glad that this traineeship gives me the freedom to work in that way. It just goes to show: the better you get to know yourself, the more you can shape your work to suit you.”

 

Sharing Struggles

Another big advantage? The community of fellow trainees at ING, ABN AMRO and Tikkie, for example. "You're all in the same boat. A bank is much more complex than you think when you start. Sometimes you just don't know where to find an answer to a question you have, or who to go to for that. That's when it's nice to spar with other trainees and find out that they run into the same things. The get-togethers and outings also keep things light-hearted; it's nice to be able to laugh now and then about the struggles we go through together."

Curious about more experience stories? Check them all out or read the story of Financial Risk Specialist at ING Beshoy.

 

Work-life balance

"I work 36 hours, which is great. That free Friday afternoon gives me space to play sports or just chill out. I'm free to work at home or at the office, sometimes we have set times at the office but in general it's really flexible. Keeping a good work-life balance is what really keeps the work fun. In the beginning I thought: I want to work forty hours, I'm young and have energy. But I like this balance better than I expected."

Talent manager Floris helped him with the balance. "With Floris I talked not only about work, but also about my private life. He is a good mirror and advisor on where I could still grow, then together we drew up a plan on how I could practically tackle that in the time to come. Really nice when a talent manager thinks with you and is also involved in discussions with your manager."

Dirk is very satisfied with his choice of a traineeship as the first step in his career. "You get guidance, learn a lot of new things, and you come into contact with companies you wouldn't otherwise just enter. I'm totally in my place!"

 

Could this be something for you?

Ready to sink your teeth into financial reporting and collaborate with teams like Risk and Controlling? As a Junior Reporting Specialist, you’ll work on sharp analyses, external reporting, and process improvement. Think this could be a good fit for you? Take a look at the Junior Reporting Specialist vacancy!

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