Trainee HR
Discover Trainee HR
Works in Utrecht and from home
Lives in Rotterdam
At VodafoneZiggo since March 2025
When Merijn Briegoos started as a Discover Trainee in HR at VodafoneZiggo, he had a clear goal: discovering what gives him energy, and preferably by actually doing it. By having the space to try, fail, learn, and then keep going. Now, almost a year later, he says, "This traineeship continuously challenges you to take the next step."
"In the onboarding, the new trainees get to know more about all the different departments within VodafoneZiggo", says Merijn. "During one of the breaks a strange feeling came over me: I suddenly wondered whether I could handle this. And why had they hired me? " Back in the room, the director of one of the business units took the floor. In the Q&A, Merijn asked her whether she ever experienced imposter syndrome. It turned out she did. "Then I thought: if even directors sometimes feel insecure, then I’ll be fine too."
Merijn’s first project was with the Learning & Development team. He worked on the learning platform all colleagues use for training and education. "I love preparing everything down to the smallest detail and I’m my own toughest critic. Sometimes, that holds me back from taking action." Until his teammate said two words: just start. That advice worked. "I noticed how quickly you learn by doing. The project turned out great, it was mostly in my head."
This is exactly what Merijn needed. "It showed me that I can do this, it was a very nice feeling." And the project? It had an immediate impact. "My work is being widely used. I think it’s awesome. There’s even a chatbot rolling out that helps you figure out which skill you want to develop and then recommends a specific training on the platform."
Besides his projects, Merijn also participates in deep dives every half year. Together with other trainees, he spends two intense days at a stunning place in Zeist. They stay in beautiful hotel rooms and follow in-depth training sessions. "We reflected on who you are as a person and how that shows up in the workplace. One of the deep dive was about teamwork and it made a big impact. For example, a dominant colleague might be really direct without meaning to hurt anyone. Realizing that everyone reacts differently has helped me a lot. I now receive feedback differently and give it more effectively myself. Sugarcoating doesn’t help anyone move forward in the long run."
Merijn started the traineeship with a close group. "We quickly built a solid network. I love bringing people together and making them happy. Since I like going the extra mile, I joined the Disco Squad. Together with five others, we organize activities and events for trainees. Think workshops and social activities." One highlight was the boat party he organized. "Sailing through the canals of Amsterdam with thirty trainees was fantastic. It felt almost like our student days. Since we’re all in the same boat, both literally and figuratively, conversations flowed naturally. It was such a nice experience!"
Different departments, projects, deep dives, and parties. Quite a busy schedule! Merijn laughs, "And I haven’t even mentioned the events organized by Young VodafoneZiggo. Soon, I’m going skiing with a group of colleagues. I’m not exactly talented on the slopes, so maybe the first aid course I was able to take via Unlimited Learning will come in handy. The après-ski, though, will definitely be a success."
"I’m very aware that not everyone gets this opportunity. I can schedule coffee chats with any colleague at any time to learn about their role and the path they took to get there. I feel really lucky to be in this position."
The traineeship is also helping him discover his strengths and where he can best apply them. The conclusion? "I get energy from working with people, coaching, and helping colleagues grow. For now, I’m exactly where I want to be in HR, and I’m excited to explore even more opportunities at VodafoneZiggo."
