Jolien Sap is an Analyst in the Corporate Finance team at Van Oers. She will take you through her (study) career and the developments she has gone through so far within Van Oers.
Study
After obtaining my vwo-gymnasium diploma, I started as a student of the bachelor in Business Economics. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I successfully obtained the Master Accountancy and the Master Finance. In 2023, I received my degree for these. I look back on an instructive period in which I was ready to put my experience into practice!
The right match
During my study, I worked at the audit department of Van Oers in 2021, I discovered that audit was not quite the right place for me. Still, I looked back positively on the period I had worked at Van Oers. This was partly because of the fun culture and committed colleagues.
I was therefore wondering if I could do better in another department. So I started talking to other departments. Van Oers was also actively involved in this process. They really look at where your talents are used in the best way. That is great.
While I was taking the master’s in Finance, I had regular contact with Joost Akkermans from the Corporate Finance department. While completing this master, we started talking again for a position within their team. There I have been working full-time as an Analyst since September 2023.
Lots of variety
There are three disciplines under the Corporate Finance department: M&A, Due Diligence and Debt & Restructuring. As a starter, I entered the department as a general analyst. This means that I help with projects in all departments to find out which discipline suits me best. Because of this, my work is very diverse. Here are some of the projects:
Helped D&R with financing models.
Writing financing
Memorandum
Attending client meetings
Setting up data books for financial analysis and reporting
Valuation of organizations
Writing an information memorandum for M&A
Coordinating a book examination
By working in all disciplines, I really discover what I am good at and where my preferences lie. I really feel that I get all the space I need to keep developing myself!
Room for growth and development
Van Oers is a training company, something that really appealed to me as a starter. Within Van Oers you get the opportunity to learn and develop quickly. From day one, you are actively involved in projects and are given your own responsibilities and go along to customer meetings right away. This way you quickly develop the hard and soft skills needed for the job.
Because Van Oers consists of many different departments, there is a lot of knowledge available. For example, if you have a tax or legal question, there is always someone within the company who can help you quickly. These are factors that help us achieve the best result for our customer. Of course, Van Oers is also a very pleasant company, where we love parties and celebrating successes. Both large and small.
From student life to work life
The step from student life to work life took some getting used to. During college, you are used to arranging your own time more, such as sports and studying when you want. When you start working full-time you automatically start adjusting your rhythm more. Now that I’m used to it, I like having more stability, and not having any obligations after working hours. Then I make time for my hobbies, sports and friends.
The nice thing about working at Van Oers is that hybrid working is possible. Depending on team and client agreements, of course!
Tips for students
I can recommend everyone to work during their studies. I found out that working in an audit department did not suit me at all and that I had to look for something else. Gaining relevant work experience during your studies helps you to find out what does or does not suit you.
It also helped me to participate in events organized by the study association. This enables you to come into contact with companies and to get an idea of what you like and what kind of employer suits you.
Would you also like to realize your ambitions at Van Oers? Feel free to contact one of our recruiters Wendy and Daniëla, or send an email to werken@vanoers.nl. Also take a look at our updated website: https://bit.ly/3vFVMWV]
