Data & Analytics
Figures that are actually useful
“How did I end up here? I studied econometrics at Tilburg University, and during that time I took some data science courses and did an internship that also focused on data science. That was when I realised this was what I wanted to do. Econometrics is obviously very focused on theory and maths, but I’m mostly interested in its practical applications. Data science offers the perfect balance of algorithmic thinking and solving data puzzles in a business context. Those skills come in handy in every part of the bank, so it's a win-win situation.”
Puzzling over data
“After I graduated I looked for a position as a data scientist. A traineeship at a large company seemed perfect to me, as it allows you to gain practical experience and work on many aspects of your development. ABN AMRO offered exactly what I was looking for: interesting work and plenty of opportunities to grow. At the moment I’m at Finance & Risk Data, and the combination of business and data is particularly interesting to me. I really enjoy puzzling over data and untangling complex connections.”
Learning about the field while you learn about yourself
“The traineeship lasts for two years. It includes three seat rotations, and each seat lasts for eight months. From time to time there are moments to evaluate what I’ve learned and the areas in which I’d like to grow further. There’s a lot to deal with in a short space of time, but fortunately you have a manager, a coach and a buddy who give you all the support you need. We’ve also been given training in hard and soft skills. This included a personality test, training in giving presentations and in data-driven communication, and also a data bootcamp. They all prepare you for working in the real world, and you learn so much!”
“I’d like to learn more about AI applications in finance or marketing in the next seat I move to, but nothing’s been fixed yet. The great thing about the traineeship is the fact that you can take it in many different directions. That being said, having so many options also makes things difficult. Perhaps I should talk to the other trainees about this because they probably have the same problem. In any case, we are all very close: we do things together for fun, and some of us have joined our internal network Young ABN AMRO. We’re also a very international group, so we learn a great deal about each other’s cultures. We also help each other out when it comes to work. It’s really great to have that kind of mutual support.”
Preconceived ideas and plus points
'Many people are surprised when I tell them I work at a bank. They say things like, ‘Wow, that’s so corporate! I guess you can’t wear jeans and trainers to work.’ But that’s a very outdated image. When I joined, I noticed straightaway how open everyone is and how the culture is really informal. The people here take time to get to know you and explain things, help you on your way, or simply have a coffee with you.”
Grow with us
“If you’re thinking about applying for a traineeship at ABN AMRO, I’d say you should go for it, especially if you have a curious mind and enjoy learning lots of different things. You get an opportunity to grow within your field, and you also learn how to put your know-how to good use for the business. And above all, don’t worry about it too much, because you’ll be working in an environment where you’re encouraged to ask questions and your colleagues are always willing to help you.”
