Bibianne van Teylingen Bakker on young professionals in the asset management industry: ‘Our generation wants fun and impactful work’
This interview was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.
How difficult is it for employers to attract and retain young talent? The labour market in the Netherlands has been under pressure for some time. Recent figures from CBS show that for every 100 unemployed, there are over 106 vacancies. How do young employees, who have only recently entered the sector, experience this labour shortage? Financial Investigator spoke to Bibianne van Teylingen Bakker, Office Manager at AF Advisors.
What makes working in the asset management sector appealing to you?
'A speech therapist in the asset management sector? That's not something you hear every day. My career began in speech therapy, but my passion for organisation and marketing brought me to AF Advisors. Here I discovered just how versatile this sector actually is. As office manager and marketing manager, I learn something new from my colleagues every day and see how sustainable investments can make the world a little greener. That social aspect really energises me. For me, working in this sector is about making an impact, continuing to learn and working with people who are enthusiastic about what they do. What also appeals to me is that almost no one here has the same background. Whether you come from a background in speech therapy, data analysis or engineering, if you can do something and you know something, you are encouraged to apply it. That diversity makes the work even more fun and challenging.'
How can the asset management sector better respond to the tight labour market?
'I think that the image that many people have of the sector does not always tell the whole story. Sustainability and innovation are playing an increasingly important role, but these themes are often unknown to potential new colleagues. By collaborating with colleges and universities, offering traineeships and sharing personal stories, you can show how inspiring this sector is. It is also important that companies offer room for development and listen to ambitions. Our generation prefers to work for something we enjoy and where we can make an impact, in combination with a good work-life balance. That makes the sector more attractive to new talent and future-proof.'