Careers after graduation
From LinkedIn Message to Brand Marketer: How a HAN Alumna Built Her Career in the Netherlands
Having an updated LinkedIn profile helped me land my first job almost immediately after graduation.
A first job before the graduation celebrations were over
For many international graduates, finding a first job can feel daunting. For this Communication alumna, however, the transition from student to professional happened surprisingly quickly.
"Getting my first job was relatively easy," Slavena recalls. "I received a LinkedIn message from a Marketing Manager who was looking for someone to fill a position at his company."
After 2 interviews and a small assignment, she was offered the role and started work only a week after her graduation ceremony.
"What helped me most was having an updated LinkedIn profile," she says. "The manager found me through the platform, which shows how important it is to invest time in your professional online presence."
Still, securing a job was only the first step in discovering what she wanted from her career.
The value of networking and persistence
A few months into her first role, Slavena realized the position was not the right fit.
"Unfortunately, after a couple of months, I realized it wasn't the right place for me," she says. "That's when I started looking around again."
This time, her professional network played a key role.
"Through my network, I heard about a vacancy, applied, and got the job," she explains. "Having a network proved really helpful, so that would definitely be one of my main pieces of advice to students."
As her career progressed, finding new opportunities became more challenging. When applying for her most recent role, she was aiming for mid-level positions rather than entry-level jobs.
"The process lasted much longer and required a lot of patience," she says. "I had to stay persistent, keep looking for new opportunities, and really focus on presenting myself in the best possible way."
She spent time refining her CV, researching interview techniques, and finding ways to stand out to recruiters.
When you're aiming for the next step in your career, persistence becomes just as important as qualifications.
Learning skills that last beyond graduation
Reflecting on her time at HAN, she believes the Communication program prepared her well for professional life.
"Absolutely," she says when asked whether her bachelor degree helped her in her current career. "The subjects provided important theory, but all the assignments were very practical and prepared me for the real world."
One lesson has proven especially valuable over the years.
"The most useful skill for me was learning how to multitask and organize my time effectively," she explains. "Between assignments, exams, my part-time job, and trying to maintain a social life, I somehow developed strong time-management skills."
Today, those skills continue to support her both professionally and personally.
The time-management skills I developed at HAN still help me every day, both at work and in my personal life.
Is speaking Dutch important?
As an international professional working in marketing, she has seen firsthand how language can influence career opportunities.
"From what I've noticed, in most marketing jobs in the Netherlands, it's always beneficial to speak Dutch," she says.
Even at international companies, she explains, the primary audience is often the Dutch market.
"Quite often, organizations need employees who can create content for Dutch audiences, so fluency is a real advantage."
Her advice to current students is straightforward: invest in learning the language if possible.
"My tip would be to either learn Dutch or focus your search on international companies that are not solely focused on the Dutch market. There are plenty of those."
She also points out that many employers offer professional development budgets that can be used for language courses.
Bringing the Interrail brand to life
Today, Slavena works as a Brand Marketer at Interrail in Utrecht, where she coordinates brand-related projects across multiple channels.
"I ensure that we're consistent across all channels, both B2C and B2B, particularly from a visual perspective," she explains.
The role involves collaboration with teams across the organization, including PR, social media, partnerships, and the company's creative studio.
"It's a great, dynamic job," she says. "No two days are the same."
What does she enjoy most? The opportunity to connect directly with Interrail travelers.
"I love our brand activations and events where we get to meet our travelers," she says. "We've been around for more than 60 years and have built a very loyal fan base. They're just as passionate about train travel as we are."
Meeting those travelers and seeing that enthusiasm firsthand makes the work especially meaningful.
"It's the most rewarding part of my job," she says. "I hope I can continue experiencing that for a very long time."
Meeting Interrail travelers and seeing their passion for train travel is the most rewarding part of my job.
Advice for international students
Having successfully built her career in the Netherlands after graduating in 2021, her advice to international students is clear: keep your LinkedIn profile updated, invest in your network, stay persistent throughout the job search process, and continue developing your skills.
"Opportunities can come from unexpected places," she says. "The important thing is to keep putting yourself out there and be ready when they do."
