Different career paths, same drive: Ruben, Stef and Jens

Our recent hires Ruben, Stef and Jens joined our team from different backgrounds, each with their own expectations and ambitions. One year into the job, they share their stories about how their expectations have matched reality and what they’ve learned so far in their respective career tracks.

All three of our interviewees joined Addestino fresh out of university, each of them with their own job expectations. Jens, an AI-focused computer science engineer, explains: “I first looked for a job in the start-up world, but I quickly realised I’d benefit from more guidance and structure rather than being left to my own devices from day one. When I found out I could join Addestino’s expert track – which is different from the general consulting track – as an AI specialist, I was immediately sold.”

Ruben, who studied civil engineering and computer science before earning an additional master’s in management, had a similar hiring experience: “I’ve always wanted to combine business and analytics in an environment with a dynamic work culture, where ambition is truly valued. During my interview process here, the focus was on my personal fit within the team and the bigger Addestino picture. From the very start, I could express what kind of projects I wanted to work on, and that gave me confidence.”

Stef, a mechanical engineer by training, agrees: “The HR team and co-founders Stefan and Dominique probed very deeply during their interviews, and they were great at assessing my capabilities and strengths.”

“The first few weeks on the job were quite a reality check,” laughs Stef. “As a new hire, I was thrown into a running assignment from day one, with real expectations and deliverables. I was asked to create slide decks and analyses for client feedback sessions right away; my work actually mattered from the very first week.”

Ruben says: “From the first meetings, I was taking notes and contributing ideas. You’re immersed in a new company and a new sector from day one. It’s exciting, but definitely not for the faint of heart.”

For Jens, as part of the expert track, his first assignment was less consulting-oriented and more technical in nature. “I worked alongside the more experienced consultants to get up to speed on our project’s requirements before developing my first application. Soon after, I was already conducting client interviews myself, defining technical needs and translating them into practical solutions.” Today, Jens is working on a data-driven demand and delivery forecasting project. “We’re building a smarter system that determines which products should be delivered to which stores and when. It’s a great example of how I can apply my data science background to make a difference in the real world.”

Ruben explains that there’s much learning to be had in one year’s time at Addestino: “After only three months, my responsibilities had already increased significantly. Every quarter, I take on more and more tasks, and now I already feel like a fully-fledged team member.” Stef continues: “My first assignment was a full-on management consulting project. I’m well-supported in my role, and my responsibilities have grown. Asking for feedback from my senior project members comes naturally: even though everyone’s always busy, people are happy to take time out of their schedules for a quick strategy session.”

As other team members have mentioned in previous career stories, the learning curve at Addestino is steep but rewarding. Jens explains: “My current assignment is exactly what I’d hoped for. Initially, I focused mostly on the AI side of things, but I quickly realised there’s so much more to it than algorithms. It’s not just about building models. It’s about understanding how and where they fit within an existing structure. A big part of my work involves considering the company’s current systems and integrating algorithms into that environment. That extra layer has broadened my perspective beyond what I experienced during my studies. The growth curve is steep, but if you’d told me a year ago how much I’d learn, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s great to build on my academic skills so quickly and confidently take ownership in a client-facing role.”

“I’ve really improved my critical thinking here,” adds Ruben. “This is a skill that transfers easily across sectors. I can set my own pace for growth, based on my ambitions, and that’s something the team genuinely supports. While I’m studying for an additional degree, for example, I can adjust my working hours and set aside time for studying. Side projects for personal growth are supported by the team and the HR department.”

When asked what they’d tell students and young professionals considering a consulting role at Addestino, Stef is quick to reply: “Students with a healthy dose of curiosity will feel right at home here. You’re surrounded by bright minds every day, and that drive is contagious. It pushes you to think more creatively and challenge yourself.”