Careers after graduation
Building a career as a Trade Investment Analyst: Tyrell Fadilla's journey in finance
Her job combines finance and business. "There’s a lot of data, Excel, numbers, and analysis involved," she says. "What I enjoy most is understanding the story behind those numbers and how they connect to the business." While some tasks are repetitive, especially at the end of the month, there are always new challenges and questions to solve.
Creating opportunities before graduation
Finding a job after graduation can feel overwhelming, but for Tyrell, getting started early made a big difference.
Her internship at Kraft Heinz gave her valuable experience and helped her build connections within the company. Instead of waiting until graduation to look for opportunities, she started exploring different career paths while still completing her internship.
"I reached out to quite a lot of people for coffee chats," she says. Through these informal conversations, she learned more about different teams and roles. "By staying curious, showing interest, and putting myself out there, I built a network that eventually helped me secure my current position."
By staying curious, showing interest, and putting myself out there, I built a network that eventually helped me secure my current position.
Learning beyond the classroom
During her Bachelor International Business studies, Tyrell developed the financial knowledge she uses today. Courses covering financial analysis, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements provided a solid foundation, but according to her, the biggest lessons came outside the classroom.
"You can learn a lot from books and lectures, but once you start working, you quickly realize that the real world can work quite differently," she says.
The internships allowed her to put theory into practice, gain confidence, and experience what working in a company is really like. As a result, moving from student life to a full-time job felt much smoother.
Do you need to speak Dutch?
For international students hoping to build a career in the Netherlands, Tyrell's answer is encouraging: not necessarily.
"In finance and at an international company, speaking fluent Dutch wasn’t a must," she explains. In many international organizations, English is the main working language, so a lack of Dutch shouldn't stop you from applying for jobs.
At the same time, she recommends learning Dutch if you plan to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period. It can help you access more opportunities, make daily life easier, and connect with local people and culture.
And as she says: "Uiteindelijk is het toch gezelliger!" ("In the end, it's just more fun and social!")
One important reality check
Tyrell's biggest piece of advice? Don't expect your textbooks to have all the answers.
The theory you learn during your studies is important, but every company has its own systems, tools, and ways of working. Being successful at work is not only about what you know. It's also about being adaptable, communicating well, and being willing to learn.
She also encourages students not to stress too much about finding the perfect first job.
"You don’t need to have your entire career figured out at 22 or 23," she says. "Your first job is a chance to learn, gain experience, and discover what you enjoy. Sometimes the best thing you can do is get started and see where the journey takes you."
What can you expect to earn after graduation?
Salary is often one of the biggest questions for students entering the job market. According to Tyrell, the answer depends on the industry, role, and company you join.
"It depends a lot on the field, industry and type of company you join," she says. "Generally, I'd say a fresh International Business graduate can expect around €33,000 to €50,000 gross per year."
At the same time, she advises graduates not to focus too heavily on a specific number. Salaries can vary significantly, and your first job is only the beginning of your career journey.
"Your first salary is a starting point, not the final destination!"
This perspective ties in with her broader advice for students: focus on gaining experience, developing new skills, and finding opportunities to learn. The right experience early in your career can create opportunities that matter far beyond your starting salary.
