Amber Eerland (26) studied Entrepreneurship & Retail Management in Utrecht, then did a master's degree in Strategic Management in Tilburg and recently became an Associate Consultant at ConQuaestor. How did she end up here? "Via via via. Someone I knew worked at EIFFEL. When I was orienting myself, she put me in touch with a recruiter. We talked about what I was looking for in a job and the conclusion was actually quick: ConQuaestor is a good fit for me."
Being part of a close-knit team here appealed to her. "You really get to know everyone. That gives you room for personal input, allows you to participate in discussions, in building. And that entrepreneurial feeling at ConQuaestor suits me. I didn't want to get in somewhere where everything is already fixed."
Starting before the YEP program
Amber started even before the official start of the Young Executive Program (YEP). That gave her a chance to get to know the organization well beforehand. "In my first week, I had coffee with almost everyone. This immediately gave me a sharp picture of the team. Who does what, how do we work together? That way you really become part of the team in a short time."
Then it went quickly: "Because you get to work with everyone for a while, you can see a lot of what is going on. So I was soon able to help out with projects or pick up something myself."
Delivering value immediately
Amber has been involved in a variety of initiatives from day one. "For example, I am involved in developing an AI vision for ConQuaestor. Together with a colleague, I look at how we make that vision concrete and how we communicate to clients where we stand on this topic. It's cool to contribute directly to that."
She also works on project proposals for clients, thinks about internal processes and turns in assignments. For example, she recently analyzed an organization's Order-to-Cash process and advised on improvements that could reduce working capital by a potential 3 million euros. "Nice that you can really make a difference at such an early stage."
She will soon start on the next project, where she will manage the ORAT of a large construction project as part of the project team.
Not interim, but consultancy
A key point for Amber was the difference between consulting and interim work. "In consultancy, you look at the organization from the outside. You are not working in an existing role, but rather helping to achieve goals, improve processes or set a course. You often do this as a team and you maintain an external perspective. That fits well with how I want to work: analyze, puzzle, advise."
Learning in practice
Although the YEP has yet to start for Amber, she is already noticing the attention being paid to her development. "I have already been assigned a performance manager. With her I discuss where I want to grow, what I want to learn and how I approach it. It helps that you are taken seriously in this, even though you are still at the beginning."
What strikes her most? "The people. I learn a lot from colleagues who already have more experience. When I see them busy in talks or presentations, I immediately see: that's where I want to go and that's where I can still grow. That motivates me."
For those considering ConQuaestor
Amber doesn't have to think long when you ask her if she would recommend ConQuaestor. "If you're looking for a fast-growing organization with an open culture, this is the place to be. You get opportunities to develop as well as help build."
Curious about the Young Executive Program?
View the job posting on Team EIFFEL's career website.
