More than banking: how Niels is discovering what suits him
- Niels ZijdenbosRetail Banking Trainee
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When Niels Zijdenbos started the Retail Banking Traineeship in April 2025, working at a bank made him think primarily of savings, investments, mortgages, and debit cards. Since then, he has discovered just how much more goes on behind the familiar world of banking. Through different rotations, he has not only explored new sides of Rabobank, but also gained a clearer idea of the kind of work that suits him.
Looking beyond the familiar
Niels already knew Rabobank before starting his traineeship. As a member of the Members’ Council in Leiden, he was involved in discussions about how the cooperative dividend could be used. It introduced him to a side of the bank that goes beyond financial products and services.
Still, before joining the traineeship, his idea of working at a bank was fairly traditional. Savings, investments, mortgages, and debit cards were the first things that came to mind. During the traineeship, he discovered just how many different topics and areas of expertise exist within Rabobank.
“In all my rotations, I haven’t done a single thing I would have associated with working at a bank beforehand.”
During one of his rotations, for example, Niels contributed to an initiative involving housing on farmland. It was not a topic he would have immediately associated with a bank. Projects like this showed him how varied the work within Rabobank can be.
Learning by exploring different areas
Throughout the traineeship, Niels has worked in several different parts of Rabobank. During a rotation in marketing, for example, he spent a day on the set of a year-end commercial. The production took place across eight different locations, and Niels even got a small role as an extra.
In his current team, which focuses on relationship marketing for Private Banking, he organizes activities for clients. These range from cycling-related events to a platform that gives clients the opportunity to invest in startups and scale-ups. He particularly enjoys the project-based nature of the work.
The different rotations are helping him discover which direction suits him best. Product development, strategy, public affairs, and marketing have all caught his attention. So while gaining hands-on experience during the traineeship, he is also developing a clearer picture of his own interests and strengths.
Being trusted with responsibility
In his current rotation, Niels has experienced firsthand how much responsibility a trainee can take on. For Wealth Management and Private Banking clients, he is organizing an event in collaboration with cycling team Visma | Lease a Bike. He is responsible for coordinating the event from start to finish.
He reaches out to speakers, coordinates with a colleague who will discuss sponsorship strategy, and works with the chef on the dinner. There will even be a live orchestra performing during the evening. It is up to Niels to make sure all the different elements come together.
I think it’s really cool that the team has trusted me to take full ownership of it."
For Niels, the project is an opportunity to learn by doing: organizing, making decisions, and working with a wide range of people. At the same time, he is helping create an event where clients can connect and gain new knowledge and experiences.
Creating your own next step
Not everything Niels learns during the traineeship comes directly from his rotations. When he mentioned that he wanted to improve his English, he was offered an additional language course outside the standard program. During the basecamps, he works alongside other trainees on his personal and professional development.
He is also active within Jong Rabo, Rabobank’s young professionals network. As chair of the intercompany committee, he organizes activities with young employees from other organizations, with four hours of his workweek dedicated to this role. For Niels, it is an opportunity to expand his network and gain experience leading a group.
He takes the same proactive approach in his day-to-day work. If he is curious about a particular department, he will reach out to someone to introduce himself, grab a coffee, or ask if he can shadow them for a day.
“I’ve never had someone turn me down when I’ve asked to meet for a coffee or spend a day shadowing them.”
That curiosity continues to introduce him to new parts of the organization.
Staying curious
Niels now sees Rabobank’s size primarily as an opportunity to explore what suits him. There are different fields, projects, and people to learn from. He actively looks for those opportunities by asking questions, sharing his interests, and starting conversations with colleagues.
His main takeaway? Look beyond the expectations you may have of an organization or a particular role. Explore what suits you, talk to different people, and stay curious.