Pioneering in the IT Early Career Program

Why I chose the IT Early Career Program

When I was starting my career as an engineer, I was looking for more than just a job. I was looking for a place where I could grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact. Rabobank’s IT Early Career Program offered exactly that: a combination of working on challenging projects while investing in both personal and technical development. What appealed to me most was the opportunity to be part of a team from day one, with room to learn and contribute. For me, it was a logical step to kickstart my career here.

From coffee chats to training days

My first week went surprisingly smoothly. I was immediately paired with a buddy who helped me get started, from picking up my laptop to navigating the organization. I even received a warm welcome package, which made me feel right at home. I quickly got to know my team and met colleagues from other teams. Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. Scheduling a coffee chat to get to know someone or ask questions was more the rule than the exception.

After onboarding, the real work began. I spoke with our Business Analyst to gain a clear understanding of the ongoing and to get a better picture of the different roles within the team. Before I knew it, I had completed my first pull request and presented my work during a sprint review. One thing that makes the IT ECP particularly special is that, as a member of the first cohort, you have a dedicated training day each week. This is coordinated with your team and includes a mix of technical and soft skills training. That combination significantly supports your professional development.

Growing as an Engineer

Within the IT ECP, I quickly got the opportunity to work on real projects. My main focus was on backend integrations for the sales flow of debit and credit cards. I was also involved in building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for our deployments. Initially, I mainly worked with Java and Spring Boot, but soon I joined projects that were developed in Kotlin, a language I already had some experience with, which came in handy.

From a technical perspective, I gained a great deal of knowledge. I gained a deeper understanding of Java’s core features and how Spring Boot operates in an enterprise environment. But perhaps even more valuable was learning to understand the functional side of the applications we were building. Knowing who we were building for and why helped me make better technical decisions. That insight really accelerated my growth as an engineer, something I’d recommend every junior to strive for.

Growing as a colleague

During my time in the IT ECP, I quickly realized how fast you can grow when given the right support and space. Initially, I was still finding my footing, but I gradually gained confidence in independently picking up user stories, which became increasingly complex over time. I took on more responsibilities and even supported other teams by helping them implement solutions I had developed for my own team. That not only boosted my confidence but also made me feel like I was truly adding value.

A key part of my growth was actively seeking and applying feedback. Thanks to the soft skills training from Lepaya, I learned how to communicate more effectively, give and receive feedback, and reflect on my own development. Not every training was equally challenging. Some felt a bit basic, but they provided useful tools to build on. Ultimately, these are tools you need to adapt and apply in your own way.

Collaboration with colleagues went smoothly. Everyone was open to questions, no matter how busy they were. My mentor also played a significant role, regularly assisting me with technical challenges. I also enjoyed working with the other ECP participants. We’ve now started our first business challenge, where we’re learning about each other’s strengths and growing together in our agile way of working.

Outside of my team, I also had the opportunity to grow in other ways. During the program, I became a board member of iTalent, an internal community focused on connecting and supporting young professionals at Rabobank. Organizing events and mentoring other YPs has been incredibly energizing, expanding my network and strengthening my leadership skills.

What I Learned and What You Can Take Away

What I take away most from my time in the IT ECP is that being visible truly pays off. If you put in the effort and make it known, people will notice. Share your knowledge, your ideas, and your achievements with your colleagues. It not only makes your work more enjoyable, but also more impactful. A great piece of advice I received from my former manager and my current manager was: You’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re allowed to fail. Enjoy your work. That helped me let go of perfectionism and focus on enjoying the journey.

My advice to future participants? Use this time to learn as much as you can, meet new people, and make the most of every opportunity. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go smoothly right away. That happens to everyone. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is which technologies Rabobank primarily uses. If you’ve never worked with something like Spring Boot before, it can be a steep learning curve. Your colleagues will give you the time to learn, but being aware of the tech stack in advance can really help you prepare and get a head start. In the end, both the technical and soft skills trainings are valuable tools, but it’s up to you to make them your own and apply them in a way that works for you.

Closing Thoughts

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the first cohort of the IT Early Career Program. It not only helped me deepen my technical skills, but also grow as a person. For anyone at the start of their IT career: seize opportunities, ask questions, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You don’t need to have all the answers right away. What matters most is that you keep learning and continue to challenge yourself. And who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be writing your own story too.