From aircraft to railways: the career adventure of NS trainee Karim Bayoumy

Reading time: 5 minutes

Why is a traineeship such a great way to kickstart your career? And why is it often a smarter choice than jumping straight into a regular job? We sat down with Karim Bayoumy to talk about how his traineeship at NS is helping him grow, experiment, and make a real impact on train travel in The Netherlands and beyond.

Karim’s career path to NS: a journey fueled by ambition

Karim always had a passion for transportation and technology. He started out with an MBO in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, gaining hands-on experience at KLM and Lufthansa, and moved on to study Aviation Engineering at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. There, he interned as a Warranty Engineer at TUI and even designed and tested his own drone.

Despite his drive and accomplishments, Karim struggled to find a job after finishing his bachelor’s degree due to limited work experience. That’s when a technical traineeship at NS turned out to be the perfect fit. “This traineeship helps me sharpen my technical skills while also growing on a personal level.”

Karim is now a tech trainee in the Maintenance Development department, where he works on real-time data analysis to improve maintenance processes. “Together with my team, I develop innovative technical solutions. It’s an incredible learning experience and a solid foundation for my future at NS.”

Why Karim prefers a traineeship over a regular job

In hindsight, Karim’s decision to choose a traineeship over a standard office job turned out to be a great one. “In a regular job, you’re usually limited to one role. A traineeship, on the other hand, gives you variety and exposure to different projects. That way you gain a much broader skill set.”

During his traineeship, Karim quickly realized how impactful his work can be. “Right now, I’m working on a project that uses real-time data to detect wheel irregularities on trains. The analyses I create feed an algorithm that flags issues early, helping us make train maintenance faster and more efficient.”

Growth on every level at NS

The NS traineeship has three key elements, Karim explains. “First, there’s personal development, where you focus on leadership skills, competencies, and self-growth. Then, there’s the functional track, where you spend two years getting hands-on experience with your team’s daily tasks. And finally, there’s the NS business track, where you complete two major assignments: one as part of a team in the first year, and another solo in the second year.”

“This traineeship helps me sharpen my technical skills while also growing on a personal level.”

For Karim, the traineeship offers the perfect mix of challenges. “It’s not just about professional growth—there’s so much personal development too. I’m improving my communication skills, learning to collaborate effectively with my team, and building a strong network within NS.”

Karim’s advice to students and starters

Karim’s advice to students? Keep an open mind and stay flexible, especially at the start of your career. “If you’re unsure about your next step, a traineeship is an excellent choice. It helps you develop your skills and figure out what you’re passionate about.”

His second tip: don’t rush. “Take your time to find a role that truly fits you, even if it takes a little longer than you’d like. Spending an extra year is completely worth it if it leads to the right opportunity.”

Ready to start your career at NS?

Would you like to put your skills to work helping travelers reach their destinations with top-notch service? And are you ready to learn, grow, and connect with new people? At NS, you’ll find traineeships in Technology, Finance, Procurement, Operational Management, and IT—plenty of opportunities to kickstart your career. The 2025 traineeships go live this spring. Want to stay in the loop? Connect with NS on Magnet.me!