Former Discover Trainee Finance
Joined VodafoneZiggo as a Discover Trainee Finance in September 2021
Is now an Senior Strategy Analyst
Works in Utrecht and from home
Lives in Amsterdam
Throughout the traineeship, Stan Beulen connected with people all over the business and found out what really inspires him. Now, he’s moved from finance to a senior role in Corporate Strategy: proof that you can truly shape your own path at VodafoneZiggo.
Stan'd been with VodafoneZiggo just shy of a year when CFO Ritchy Drost presented a report by his hand to a large group of investors. "I hadn't expected a direct line to our CFO when I started," says Stan "It was my very first project. I worked on Sustainability-Linked Bonds, with which VodafoneZiggo links its financing to climate objectives. I was part of the team that set it up from A to Z Being involved in such a big project, I could make an impact from the start of my traineeship."
Stan’s second project of his Discover Traineeship took him to the Public Affairs and Relations department, which practices a trade that is altogether different from his own scope of professional expertise. Exploring the unfamiliar is an integral part of the traineeship. "I was involved in our external communications at the local level. With municipalities, for instance. It was a great way for me to become acquainted with the world of public policy and PR. Very educational, too, as it was so far removed from what I usually do."
"You’ll work with inspiring colleagues and benefit from an excellent mentoring network. The traineeship offers a solid program full of training and courses to boost your personal and professional growth." Stan adds, "The personal development Deep Dives are the highlight of the program. Three times during the traineeship, the whole group steps out of the daily routine for a night away and two days with external coaches. It’s a great way to focus on your own development and connect with peers." VodafoneZiggo’s Unlimited Learning platform is another big plus. Stan didn’t just enjoy taking courses; he also took the initiative to train others. "I gave a crash course on VodafoneZiggo financials. It felt great to simplify complex topics for fellow trainees and boost their confidence with numbers."
The social aspect of the Discover Traineeship was perhaps the biggest surprise for Stan. "After-work drinks, excursions, there are some terrific events with other trainees. I even helped organize a trip to the UK: 30 trainees traveled to London by train to visit Vodafone Group offices. There, we joined workshops, presentations, and social activities. Great fun and very useful! The more people you talk to, the easier it gets to make connections within VodafoneZiggo and with peers from our shareholders Vodafone Group and Liberty Global, who are to be found all over the world."
After finishing his 18-month traineeship, Stan joined the Corporate Finance team. This felt like a natural fit. "What I love about corporate finance is how it connects the outside world to VodafoneZiggo. As the team is the bridge between our company and our investors, it continuously asks to translate internal achievements into an external narrative." Recently, Stan grasped the opportunity to join the Corporate Strategy team as Senior Strategy Analyst. "Everyone was really supportive. Thanks to the network I built during the traineeship, I already knew a lot of people in my new department. This definitely smoothened the transition. After 3 years in Finance, I wanted to focus more on our internal story, talking to the business and understanding how everything fits into our overall strategy. It’s exciting to see how all the pieces come together!"
