Degree in hand? Time for the next step: your first real job! You may have heard of our traineeship, but what’s it really like? What does a typical workday involve, and what support will you receive? Nevin Morcy, now a Junior Network Architect at ABN AMRO, shares her story and offers a glimpse into her world. 🔍

Nevin works in the Private Infrastructure Platform (PIP) department, where the team is responsible for the core of ABN AMRO’s IT environment. “The department manages critical IT infrastructure, such as networks, data centres, mainframes, and private cloud systems. Stability, security, and performance are paramount here, as ABN AMRO processes millions of transactions and petabytes of data every day. It’s a high-tech environment that constantly challenges you.”

Within PIP, Nevin is part of two teams: the Network End User (NEU) team and the Network Design Innovation (NDI) team. “In the NEU team, we assist end users with network connectivity and troubleshoot network issues. The NDI team, on the other hand, has a forward-looking focus, working on designing and innovating network structures. While I currently handle tasks mainly within the NEU team, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute more to the strategic work of the NDI team in the future.”

Nevin works mostly from home but also goes to the office regularly. “Mondays and Wednesdays are my set office days, and once a month we have a larger team day where the whole team comes together. This balance is perfect: I get the calm and flexibility of working from home, but also the energy and connection of being with colleagues at the office. It feels very liberating – I can work wherever I feel at my best.”

The tasks in Nevin’s team are organised using a Kanban board. “Every Monday and Wednesday, we have brief stand-ups to discuss who is working on what and to prioritise tasks. On Tuesdays, we hold a longer Kanban meeting to review progress and address any bottlenecks. It’s a great way to work because it gives you constant clarity and allows you to adapt quickly if something gets stuck.”

In this way of working, assertiveness is key. “You need to have the confidence to ask questions and highlight where you need support, as there’s so much to learn. At the same time, you also need to demonstrate what you’re already capable of. By finding that balance, you not only gain support but also show that you’re proactive and genuinely eager to contribute to the team. That mindset helps you quickly find your place.”

Nevin has ambitious plans for her technical development. “I’m currently working towards my Cisco CCNA certification. It’s an important step to make a greater impact within my team. In the long term, I also plan to pursue other Cisco courses, such as CCNP Enterprise and Cisco DNA Spaces, to become a true specialist in network technology.”

Nevin learned how to stay in control during job interviews – a skill she gained from Solid Professionals. “Jorn advised me not to view the interview as a one-sided process. Ask your own questions: What’s expected of me? What does a typical workday look like? Why is this team the right fit for me? It was reassuring to know that I could also evaluate whether the role truly suited me.”