From HAN Student to Product Manager: Francisco's Journey into Sustainable Mobility

Originally from Spain, Francisco spent part of his youth in Australia, where he completed high school before moving to the Netherlands. At HAN, he chose to specialise in Business and Powertrain, now known as Mobility, Energy & Business, combining his passion for automotive technology with an interest in the business side of the industry.

During his studies, Francisco chose a less common path by exchanging his third-year internship with his fourth-year minor. This allowed him to focus on securing a year-long placement where he could complete both his internship and graduation assignment at the same company.

"It was not the most common approach and is usually advised against," Francisco says. "However, I believed it would increase my chances of finding a job after graduation."

That decision led him to Allego, where a full year of hands-on experience across different areas of the business gave him valuable insight into the role of a product manager.

"I quickly realised that product management suited me very well."

After completing his graduation assignment, Francisco was offered a part-time position at Allego, enabling him to continue gaining professional experience while considering his next steps.

Although he had already secured a position at Allego, Francisco decided to continue his education and pursue a Master's degree in Management in Rotterdam. To gain admission, he first completed a part-time pre-master program. While not essential for his role, the degree aligned with his long-term career goals.

In September 2025, he left Allego to focus on his studies, returning in February 2026 in a part-time position while completing his master's. After graduating, he moved back to Arnhem and started working full-time as a Product Manager in Charging Technology at Allego.

Today, six years after starting his bachelor's degree at HAN, Francisco develops and implements Energy Management Systems for EV charging infrastructure, supporting Europe's transition to sustainable mobility.

Unlike many graduates, Francisco's transition into professional life was remarkably straightforward.

"My experience finding a job in the Netherlands was actually quite easy," he says. "I wanted to stay with Allego, the company where I completed both my internship and graduation assignment, and fortunately I received an offer immediately after graduating."

In fact, the interview for his internship at Allego remains the only job interview he has ever completed.

"I never had to actively search for a job after graduation because the experience and relationships I built during my internship led directly to a full-time opportunity."

His story highlights the value of gaining meaningful industry experience during studies and building strong professional networks early on.

Francisco credits HAN with providing a strong foundation for his career. The program gave him a broad understanding of the automotive industry and exposed him to various career paths. Although he started as a traditional automotive enthusiast, his growing interest in sustainable mobility led him to specialize in Mobility, Energy & Business.

This combination of technical and business-focused subjects helped him develop knowledge of powertrain technologies, EVs, and the wider automotive industry, all of which are relevant to his current role. However, he found HAN's project-based learning the most valuable. "HAN's project-based learning gave me practical experience that has been invaluable in my career," he says. Working with students from different backgrounds helped him develop collaboration and communication skills that are essential in professional life.

Francisco also appreciated HAN's close ties with industry, regularly working with companies on real-world challenges. "That practical experience was incredibly valuable," he says.

As an international graduate, Francisco is often asked whether speaking Dutch was essential for finding employment in the Netherlands.

"In my personal experience, it wasn't necessary," he says. "Many companies in the Netherlands operate internationally and English is often the primary working language."

This allowed him to build his career without being fluent in Dutch. Nevertheless, he encourages international students to invest time in learning the language.

"After six years in the Netherlands, I do regret not putting more effort into learning Dutch. It opens more opportunities and helps you integrate into Dutch society."

Today, Francisco works as a Product Manager in Charging Technology at Allego's headquarters in Arnhem.

His role involves managing the development and implementation of technologies that support public EV charging infrastructure. His current focus is on Energy Management Systems, an increasingly important component in the growing electric mobility ecosystem.

"I collaborate with colleagues and suppliers from across Europe and get to see first-hand the latest developments supporting the transition to electric mobility."

What motivates him most is the impact of his work.

"Knowing that my work contributes to a greener future makes it incredibly rewarding. Being able to play a tangible role in the energy transition gives real meaning to what I do every day."

Francisco's journey demonstrates how combining academic learning with practical industry experience can create strong career opportunities. His willingness to take an unconventional route, embrace international experiences, and invest in both professional and academic development has helped him build a successful career in a rapidly evolving industry.

From a HAN student studying the Automotive Engineering Bachelor to a Product Manager shaping the future of EV charging infrastructure, Francisco's story is a powerful example of how education, ambition, and practical experience can come together to create a meaningful career in sustainable mobility.