September 4th 2025
NN Group's IT Mentoring Program: strengthening talent and creating opportunities
- Employment best practice
- partnership
- mentoring program
The IT Mentoring Program, a collaboration between NN Group and the Refugee Talent Hub, connects newcomers with experienced professionals at NN Group. They receive personalized guidance in exploring career opportunities, strengthening their resumes, and preparing for job applications.
Bram van Zeijl, a mentor during the latest IT Mentoring Program, shares his experiences with NN Group. Read his story below.
Let me introduce myself
My name is Bram van Zeijl, I'm 36 years old, I live in The Hague, and I've been working as a UX designer at NN for two and a half years. I work on the app team and help develop the NN App, which contains all our products and services.
Why become a mentor?
The mentoring program seemed like a great way to give back. We're doing well at NN, and it feels good to help others who haven't been as fortunate. I have more experience in the Dutch job market than people who are new here, so this is a simple way to give back.
Mentoring in practice
My mentee was a Ukrainian woman who had fled to the Netherlands with her Dutch husband. She had a stable situation, but starting over was a challenge. She previously worked at a bank in Ukraine and has a strong background in project management. In the Netherlands, she had a part-time job at McDonald's and was studying Dutch. I helped her explore career opportunities, improve her resume, and prepare for interviews. The weekly contact gave her new insights and helped her stay focused. The best part was seeing her confidence grow!
What touched Bram the most?
The mentees' personal stories touched me deeply. Especially during the closing event at the end of the program, where they shared their experiences. One of the first speakers was a Turkish man who shyly mentioned what he would like to do in the Netherlands. A mentee who spoke afterward recognized him and told her that he was once the director of the police academy in Istanbul and an important person in her life. Now they were standing together on the same stage, which was a powerful symbol of how life can unfold. It was a moment of realization that bad luck can lead you to a completely different situation.
Lessons learned
"It reminds you how good we have it here and how important it is to show compassion for others. It's not always your fault if you fall behind in life; sometimes things go well, sometimes they don't. It's all about how you handle it."
This article comes from NN Group.
Want to read more stories from Refugee Talent Hub partners? View the full dossier .