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Teun‘s story

Data & Technology Trainee

From planets and stars to the Power Platform

‘I studied physics and astronomy, and I have a Master’s degree in Experimental Physics. I’ve always enjoyed doing puzzles, programming and thinking analytically. But while I was doing research for my Master’s thesis, I realised that I did not want to go on to pursue a PhD. And then, quite by chance, I came across the job vacancy at DNB. The more I read, the more enthusiastic I became. At DNB, if you have a background in data and technology, you can really make a difference. In my first placement, I’m working on the Power Platform for bank supervisors. We work in sprints, build forms with validation rules, and ensure that supervisors see the correct data. Very practical and a fantastic learning experience.

Putting AI into practice

Physicists learn to think with limited information. Just give it a go, make mistakes, and see what works. That’s what I'm doing now, too. Alongside my work on the platform, I am exploring how we can incorporate Microsoft Copilot and AI agents into our applications. I’m looking into where generative AI can add value, what the best use cases are, and how we can set things up. I really enjoy that kind of in-depth technical analysis. You’re also encouraged to try new things. And the work is always varied: today, for example, I’ve got a meeting with another department to discuss my next placement. As a trainee, you’ll have plenty of freedom to explore your own path.

What I like about DNB is the combination of expertise and openness.

More confident every day

At first, I found it nerve-wracking to ask questions. During meetings, the technical discussions would get quite in-depth, and I’d think to myself: never mind, I don’t want to hold things up. But when I did ask, it turned out that people actually appreciate it. You’re showing that you’re interested, that you want to understand what’s going on. That was quite eye-opening, and you build confidence every day. Now I ask questions all the time, and my coworkers genuinely value my inquisitiveness. You really do get that space to learn and grow here. And if something does go wrong – like that time I let a small error slip through in the application – the immediate reaction is: well done for spotting it, and thanks for fixing it.

Smart people, a relaxed atmosphere

What I like about DNB is the combination of expertise and openness. People are good at what they do, and at the same time very approachable. There’s a real sense of team spirit: we work using agile methods, help each other out, and have a Scrum Master who brings everyone together. The atmosphere is relaxed, and I get on well with the other trainees too. And the facilities at DNB are fantastic: plenty of natural light, comfortable workspaces and room to relax. Table tennis, a pool table, a top-notch gym – you even get a half hour of gym time every day during working hours. The 36-hour work week is also great – my weekend starts on Friday. That’s when I go swimming.’

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