- 29.06.2022

How Lennert's internship led to his first job

Every year, our bank offers final-year students the opportunity to get a taste of the business world and thrive by working with a team of professionals. It’s the perfect springboard for their careers! This was the experience of Lennert Van Hove (24), who is now an insurance advisor with us.

“Banking and insurance are in my blood,” says Lennert enthusiastically. “My father and uncle both have an insurance agency and have passed on their passion for the profession to me. So I studied finance and insurance at Arteveldehogeschool in Ghent. It was the logical choice for me.”

For his final-year internship, Lennert applied to BNP Paribas Fortis. “I did a 13-week internship at the Gent-Centrum agency and was very well received by my internship supervisor Catherine Goetghebuer,” Lennert recalls. “She encouraged me to develop my skills and quickly allowed me to receive clients under her supervision. I learned a tremendous amount.”

An ideal way to prepare for the "real job"

This internship was above all an opportunity for Lennert to develop personally. “I learned how to conduct a commercial interview and how to approach different types of people. This gave me a huge confidence boost. And I also made a lot of progress in terms of time management. I wasn't very good at that during my studies,” Lennert admits with a smile.

Finding the job that's right for you

When choosing a job, it’s important that it matches your personal interests. “You shouldn't apply for a commercial role if you don't like sales,” explains Lennert. “But it goes further than that. The company's values should also resonate with you. For example, I'm happy with the attention the bank pays to sustainability, an issue that's close to my heart.”

Meanwhile, Lennert has since become a bancassurance advisor at the Sint-Niklaas Centrum agency. “I applied internally immediately after my internship. This experience gives us a considerable advantage over other candidates. We already know a lot about the inner workings of the bank and have even built up a network.”

Career prospects

Finally, career development opportunities also play a crucial role in choosing an employer. And at BNP Paribas Fortis, there are plenty. “There are so many different functions and areas of expertise that you can easily build your entire career within the bank. Over time, I can see myself evolving into a personal investment advisor and later a Private Banker. Because I firmly believe in the advisory role of the bank. That's the message I always give to my friends: the bank certainly has a bright future ahead of it.”

Giving young people a springboard for their careers through stimulating and instructive internships, that's what Positive Banking is all about. Interested? Discover our offer here.