Zoetermeer, South Holland, Netherlands
I am a driven and resilient International Business student with a strong ambition to build a career in the financial sector and ultimately earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Originally from South Africa and currently based in the Netherlands, I bring a global perspective shaped by cultural diversity, challenge, and persistence. My interest in finance is rooted in a genuine fascination with markets, capital allocation, and value creation. I am particularly drawn to asset management and investment banking, where analytical thinking, discipline, and long-term decision-making are essential. I continuously seek to deepen my financial knowledge through academic study, independent learning, and real-world exposure. Beyond the classroom, my mindset has been shaped by extreme sports such as skateboarding and freestyle snowboarding. These pursuits reflect how I approach both life and work: embracing risk, learning quickly from failure, and committing fully to improvement. Falling, adapting, and getting back up stronger is part of the process whether on a board or in a professional setting. I also have an entrepreneurial spirit and have explored multiple start-up ventures. While not all were successful, each experience strengthened my adaptability, problem-solving ability, and resilience. These lessons have reinforced my desire to pursue opportunities that go beyond traditional student roles and offer meaningful responsibility, growth, and impact. I am actively seeking opportunities within finance where I can contribute, learn from experienced professionals, and continue building toward a long-term career in investment management or banking.
I work here at the bakery making sure operations run smoothly and customers are satisfied with their purchases. This gave me a bigger insight into supermarket operations.
I still work here parttime as a rental and slopes employee. At rentals you rent out clothing to customers which means constant face to face communication. In the slopes you have to make sure everything is running smooth and customers are behaving themselves. I have learned technical problem solving when ski-lifts break down to communications skills that leaves customers happy and satisfied.
At MCi I designed an integrated benchmarking model combining commercial market data with manufacturing cost drivers (CBOM, labour, overhead and capital). I analysed global market share, evaluated product competitiveness across regions, and compared MCi products with competitor products using a custom “Fear Factor” scoring equation that I developed. I worked closely with the research director and cost engineering team, applied Excel-based analytical modelling, and gained experience in manufacturing processes, product costing, competitor analysis, and strategic decision-making support.
I Gained valuable experience in a high-pressure, customer-facing environment by working long, fast-paced shifts during peak hours The job taught me to stay adaptable, focused, and efficient under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude with customers and colleagues I developed a strong work ethic, endurance, and commitment to quality service, even in physically demanding conditions
I started skateboard company as a teen. Being a skateboarder myself I understand what is important to skaters and what their demands are. I sold custom skateboardsfor 3 years up until closing the company due to low exposure to the market. I ganed a tremendious amount of experience from marketing to basic finances and running a company in general.