Meet Young Professional Jolijn
The IT industry can be pretty intimidating, especially for those with no background in technology. However, Jolijn Hurkens' story shows how a supportive environment and a structured onboarding program can make a world of difference.
“IT is not just about programming behind a computer; it's about people, business processes and finding the right place within the system for the customer's needs.”
First steps at HSO
When Jolijn began her journey with the HSO Young Professional Program she was immediately embraced by a warm atmosphere. The induction day was filled with speed dating sessions with employees, and a series of presentations that gave a clear picture of the culture and people at HSO.
The following week she started the Master Class, an introduction to Microsoft's systems and the consulting world. Despite concerns about her non-IT background, Jolijn found the learning curve manageable, with knowledge conveyed at a comfortable pace.
The program emphasizes a balance of hard and soft skills, where the young professionals not only become familiar with the systems they will be working with, but also develop the communication skills needed to have effective conversations with customers.
A highlight for Jolijn was the business case exercise during the Master Class, where they worked together in a team to create a real life customer case and presented the solution to the trainers.
Working on a project
After the Masterclass, Jolijn started working on a project right away.
"I have now started in an after-sales project, dealing with customer service and field service. I really enjoy the customer contact and experiencing many different activities."
That she would have meetings with customers and provide training right away, Jolijn did not expect. "I just start on assignments that are open in the sprint and gradually I learn how things work in practice."
Fortunately, Jolijn gets a lot of support from her buddy Robin. “We work together most of the time, with Robin giving me assignments. Eventually we review the assignments together and he gives me tips and tricks on how I could do better. This suits my way of learning."
Why choose HSO as a Young Professional?
Looking back on her experience, Jolijn encourages future young professionals to look past any preconceptions about the IT industry. “IT is not just about programming behind a computer; it's about people, business processes and finding the right place within the system for the customer's needs.”
With the support of HSO and the knowledge gained during the Young Professional program, Jolijn looks confidently to the future. "What I like is to experience the start-up phase of a project and help outline the customer journey. I am ready to take on the challenges of the IT world and find my place in this dynamic sector."
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