Emma Hermans (23), Management Development Trainee at Broekman Logistics
“After completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in strategic management, I still felt I wasn’t done learning. I got to know Broekman at a logistics recruitment event. While other companies were trying hard to sell themselves – ‘look how great we are’ – Broekman came across as refreshingly down-to-earth. I decided to join their traineeship programme, where over two years, I work on four different projects. There are so many branches within logistics; this way, I can learn a lot and get a taste of everything. In the first two weeks, I visited all the Dutch locations, which gave me a good overview of the company. Each location is completely different, but the culture is the same everywhere: open and approachable. I was warmly welcomed everywhere and given extensive tours. Everyone is so proud of what they do that they could talk about it all day. It was amusing to hear that some people, like the current CEO, also started as trainees.
During the traineeship, you are entirely free to choose which projects you want to take on. For my first project, I went to the terminal. I was quite impressed when I saw all those massive ships, container stacks, and cranes during a tour. I had the same feeling as a child when we walked around the Maasvlakte. They asked me beforehand if I could hold my own in such a male-dominated environment, but I have no problem with that. I actually appreciate the directness. Anyway, things have definitely not stood still here, and a lot has improved in that area over the past few years. It’s not at all an old-fashioned, rigid world. Now that I’m almost done with the first year of my traineeship, I’m completely convinced that Broekman is the place for me. I’ve already learned more in a short time than I did in four years of study. I also like the whole culture of short communication lines. After each project, you present your findings to the CEO and CFO. That makes me feel that what I do is really important and that everyone is very involved.
I keep a hard hat, vest, and shoes in the back of my car. It’s always funny when friends ride along. When I got a tour from a captain on his cargo ship and stood on the bridge, I snapped a picture. Everyone reacted: ‘What are you doing there?!’ People often don’t expect a young woman to be walking around those container stacks, but that’s why I find it all the more fun. I’m the only one in my family who works in the port. When I come home with stories, they think it’s really cool. I’m genuinely proud of what I do. When I walk around the terminals and see everything that’s happening, I feel a sense of warmth inside. I’m a part of this! I understand why port people share that feeling among themselves. You’re all working towards the same goal. And the Port of Rotterdam is something the Netherlands can be very proud of.”
Here you can read the full article (Dutch) from Onze Haven, in which five colleagues are interviewed. The photos we have used are from this article and were taken by photographer Vincent van Dordrecht.
