On behalf of ROM InWest, Pieter Ziani and Quinten Stol participated in the ROM Young Talent Program. How do they look back on the program?<\/p>\n
Pieter: \u201cThe ROM Young Talent Program came my way when I applied to ROM InWest as an investment analyst. The HR Manager at the time told me that I would be able to participate as a trainee from my first week of work. I was more than happy to do so. It was the first edition, so I had little idea of what to expect. I did know in advance that I would spend one day a week on it, usually a Thursday or Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quinten: \u201cAt the end of my studies in France \u2013 where I lived for fifteen years \u2013 I had done an internship at an investment fund in impact investing, when I came across the vacancy for investment analyst at ROM InWest on LinkedIn. The ROM Young Talent Program seemed like a great opportunity to start my career in the Netherlands and immediately build a strong network. The program is set up so that each ROM sends one trainee, but two ROMs had no candidates for this first edition. So there were still two places left. That's why Pieter and I were able to participate together on behalf of ROM InWest in this edition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pieter: \u201cBecause I only had a bachelor\u2019s degree when I started working at ROM InWest, I saw the program as a great opportunity to continue learning in parallel with my work. What immediately appealed to me was that it is a long-term and structured program with a certificate. Its broad scope was perfect for me to discover which parts of investment management suit me best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quinten: \u201cThe program seemed like an opportunity to grow faster professionally within the field of ROMs in a broader sense, because you see much more than just your job. For example, you also have a lot of contact with other ROMs and work on research projects, which gives you extra knowledge of venture capital.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pieter: \u201cWe started with a three-day introduction, including a personality test to get a clear picture of your natural talents and how you behave in a team. In between, we followed training courses on topics such as communication, conflict management and productive working, and each ROM organises the Tour de ROM for one day. Finally, there were two projects that we worked on as a trainee group. In our case, one project was about the lead process and the other about investment conditions. At the end, we did the personality test again so that you could see how you have changed over time, both professionally and personally.\u201d<\/p>\n Pieter: \u201cFor the Tour de ROM, each trainee organises one full day with a certain budget, during which all trainees visit his or her ROM. Quinten and I did that together for ROM InWest. In addition to a few mandatory components such as a knowledge session and a visit to a portfolio company, you have complete freedom to fill in the day in your own way. In the morning, we visited the United Repair Centre in Amsterdam \u2013 the first company that ROM InWest invested in \u2013 and concluded the evening with a joint dinner and Jeux de Boules at Mooie Boules in Haarlem. It was a very fun and educational day.\u201d<\/p>\n Quinten: \u201cWhat I like about the Tour de ROM is that you immediately get the opportunity to proudly present a portfolio company, even if you have only been working at your ROM for a short time. By getting to know peers from other ROMs, you also effectively expand your network. I already notice that I am an important link for contact with other ROMs. <\/span>What did the programme entail in broad terms?<\/h5>\n
What did the Tour de ROM involve and what did you think of this part?<\/h5>\n
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