5 questions to Jip, trainee Advanced Analytics

To start with... Who are you and what do you do at Rabobank?

"I am Jip, and I started at Rabobank as an Advanced Analytics trainee in October 2023. I studied Econometrics in Amsterdam, both my bachelor's and master's, and before that, I completed VWO in Purmerend. I come from Graft, a beautiful village in North Holland between Alkmaar and Purmerend."

Why did you choose this study and direction?

"When I was in the third year of high school, I was very good at mathematics. The career counselor advised me to look into Econometrics, and that's how the seed was planted. Although it was sometimes tough, everything came together at the end of my bachelor's and the beginning of my master's. I realized that with this knowledge, I could really make a difference."

How did you end up at Rabobank?

"After my studies, I didn't initially want to work at a bank. I thought they were big 'money grabbers,' and I wouldn't be doing meaningful work there. But my mother, who worked at Rabobank for 30 years, encouraged me to take a look. The recruiter and the people I spoke to were so helpful and spoke with such passion that I decided to apply for the traineeship. Their enthusiasm and the relaxed atmosphere convinced me. Now I see how I can really make an impact with my work and help people. My work with numbers has a lot of meaning."

What exactly do you do in your role?

"I work at Early Warning Signals within Credit Analytics. We build models to predict when customers might experience financial difficulties, so we can help them in time. We do this by analyzing various variables and developing better triggers than the current rules of thumb. It’s meaningful work because we’re not only helping the bank, but also —more importantly — the customer."

What do you like most about your traineeship?

"The traineeship offers a lot of freedom and opportunities to develop yourself. I have learned to take responsibility and show myself. Additionally, I discovered that I enjoy organizing things, such as content events or fun outings for fellow trainees. It's a nice mix of hard skills and soft skills, and I really feel part of the team. I am also active in networks and come into contact with people who have the same interests. What I learned during my studies, I can apply and further develop here."

And to wrap it up... How do you see your future at Rabobank?

"I definitely see myself working here for a while. Last week, I even got the guarantee that I will get a permanent job after my traineeship, which I am very happy about. I have become much better at programming and, together with my team, developed a handy library of functions and programs. The team I work in is great, and there are still many projects and models we need to develop. Additionally, I have learned to show myself more and take responsibility. I look forward to further developing myself, and maybe in the future, taking on a leadership role. But for now, I am very happy with where I am and what I do."