Bart Volbeda
ControllerMy wish to complete a master’s degree has always been encouraged by HTG. I have noticed that the combination of working and studying has altered my way of thinking. It helps to take a step back from the actual situation and consider it from an outsider's perspective.
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Hi Bart, can you tell us how you ended up at HTG?
That’s quite a story. During the final year of my Business Economics studies, I was busy looking for a great graduation internship. I still lived in Winsum at the time, where the “Winsumer Baistemaart” takes place every year in October. That’s where I got talking to the Finance Manager at HTG and the ball started rolling. After an introductory meeting, we agreed on the structure of a graduation project and my internship was arranged! While working on my project, I also purposely spent time getting involved in work at the department, so that I could really gain a comprehensive understanding of the company. I really enjoyed it, and luckily it was mutual. After a formal recruitment process, I eventually started work as a Trainee.
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There was a great opportunity for you after your internship.
Definitely! After my internship, I started work as a Finance Trainee for the Perfumes & Cosmetics/Health & Beauty department. I was there for about 7 months and during that time I got to know the ins and outs of financial administration, which gave me a really good foundation. Incredibly informative, but of course I wanted to progress and be a Controller. That was 2 years ago and I am currently working as a Controller at the HTG Liquors department. It’s great to see how the work is generally the same even though the departments are different.
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What do you like best about working at HTG?
The bond within the team and the organization as a whole: we really want to progress together. Drive and passion! It’s a dynamic organization, with standard work and then a lot of extra activities and hubbub – that’s what really keeps the work fun for me. HTG is my first “real” employer, but I when I compare myself with others in my social circle, I have noticed I am progressing quite quickly here. That’s really important to me, because I have ambitions I want to achieve.
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You have just started a degree program again, haven’t you?
From the beginning I have been very open about my doubts, whether to start work or continue my studies. One the one hand I wanted to continue and do a master’s degree straight after I graduated from the university of applied sciences, but I wasn’t sure which discipline to choose. As it stood, I just missed the registration deadline at the university. That was tough, but it did mean I was in a position to discuss options with HTG. They knew I wanted to complete a master’s degree at some point and always encouraged this. Last year, I made concrete progress on this goal and both my supervisor and HR were supportive. I am now studying part-time at the University of Amsterdam. It’s ideal, because I only have lectures on Fridays. Many topics and situations from my studies also occur at work, which is nice. Although I am doing a pre-master’s course, I am already noticing that the study adds a lot of value to the way I think. It helps to take a step back from the actual situation and to consider situations from a bird’s eye point of view.
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Are there any plans and projects for the future you are looking forward to?
I am currently doing a lot of work for other companies that are part of HTG, such as our locations in Amsterdam and Germany. The best thing about that is that I am gaining even more knowledge about the organization as a whole and I am in regular contact with colleagues over there. Sparring together, traveling and making connections between HTG and its subsidiaries: a job that suits me perfectly!