Presenting thesis at DNB

“I actually came across DNB as a potential employer because of my thesis. I did a Master’s in European Business Law and Financial Economics at Radboud University and wrote my thesis on the relationship between quantitative easing and stock market bubbles. One of my lecturers gave me a heads-up that DNB president Klaas Knot was coming to give a guest lecture and that it would be a good idea to attend. This is how my thesis eventually ended up on Klaas' desk, and not long after I was invited to present my thesis in-house at DNB. Following that presentation, the ball got rolling and I eventually got an offer for my current position. Many roads lead to Rome, of course, but my road to DNB is certainly quite exceptional. 

Policy advisor and external PhD candidate

I have now enjoyed five years as a policy advisor in the Monetary Operations Department of the Financial Markets Division. My team works at operational, policy and analytical levels to implement European monetary policy. I am mainly involved in the analytical endeavours and work on long-term issues, making generous use of the unique data we have as a central bank. I also publish regularly, and a few years ago the idea arose to write a dissertation as well. I'm really enjoying writing it. My dissertation provides a dynamic change from my daily work. I plan to defend it in the spring of 2023. DNB gives you the space to work on your dissertation. As an external PhD candidate, though, it also often comes down to writing in your own time. 

"Questions" talent programme

The great thing about working at DNB is the short lines of communication, the subject matter and the development opportunities. After about three years at DNB, I was asked to join Questions, a talent programme for ambitious young professionals from a variety of the bank's divisions in which you spend ten months working on on your personal development. You join the talent programme with nine others and start by setting your learning goals. What kinds of challenges have you experienced over the past few years? In what ways and areas can you take steps forward? And how can your programme peers and the coaches help you take those steps? Engaging with each other intensively on these topics, you get to know your qualities and pitfalls and make greater strides in your personal development compared to more standard, short courses.  

The programme has also helped me grow my network at the bank. I also benefited greatly from the narratives, experiences and suggestions of the others on the programme Sometimes it's really nice to discuss the challenges you face in your work with others than just your manager. And besides that, the entire programme was really fun. I met new people I would otherwise not encounter so easily, from supervisors to someone from the security department. Our group still gets together regularly for drinks. 

On to Frankfurt

At DNB, it is common to take on a new position every five to seven years. To broaden your outlook, or to gain new expertise and experience. Right now, I am wrapping up my work and dissertation, because after a short holiday, I am boarding the train to Frankfurt for a secondment at the European Central Bank (ECB). The plan is to stay at least a year, and maybe as long as three years. My focus in recent years has been mainly analytical. In the coming period, I want to focus more on policy. The ECB makes policy proposals and writes papers which national central banks may comment on. So at the ECB you're really at the heart of policy-making and involved in nearly every area of finance. I am extremely excited to dive into the deep end at the ECB and develop myself even more broadly.”