The IT Mentoring Programme, a collaboration between NN Group and 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 Programme, shares his experiences and the impact he's made 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 programme 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!