Are you considering a career in the dynamic world of data & technology? The field offers countless opportunities, but understanding the personal journeys of those who have embarked on similar paths can be insightful. Gain insights from Marjet Welleweerd, an Associate Manager at Accenture Technology. With a background in Economics and Business Administration, Marjet discusses her five-year journey at Accenture, where she currently leads projects for one of the largest banks in the Netherlands. From managing agile teams to internal responsibilities as a people lead and vice-chairman of Accenture Netherlands’ Works Council.
What did you do before starting at Accenture?
I started at Accenture immediately after University. I have done a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Business Administration with the specialization of Leadership and Management. During my studies I always had a side-job at Albert Heijn, where I was a teamlead. I’ve built up communication skills and leadership skills there which are useful now in my job.
How has your experience been in your current role?
As an employee within Accenture, you work on projects. I am currently working on a project at one of the biggest banks in the Netherlands. I am performing the role of Project Manager for two teams currently. A Project manager is the person who identifies the customer needs and the larger business objectives that a product or feature will fulfill. Next to that you are guiding an agile team of developers to make sure that these needs and requirements are prioritized and in the end being delivered. One of my teams is working on the app and the web version of the bank by developing several features and my other team is a data capability team which serves other teams within the bank with their data needs.
I really like this role due to its diversity; there is no typical day to describe. Typically, my day begins with a standup meeting with my teams, discussing progress, challenges, and areas where assistance is required. The remainder of my day involves numerous meetings with stakeholders to explore their product-related expectations and potential solutions. Next to that I have a lot of one on one conversations with team members and my manager. I truly believe that fostering strong connections leads to an open and transparent work environment, which in the end results in better collaboration and project delivery.
Next to my role at the client, I also have some internal responsibilities. Within Accenture I have the role as people lead of several employees in which I am responsible for their employee journey. This entails their performance, their health, coaching and making sure that people are working at the right projects for them. Furthermore, I am currently serving on the Works Council of Accenture in the Netherlands as vice-chairman. This role has been a part of my responsibilities for four years, as I consider it crucial to advocate for the needs of our people to the leadership and actively contribute to making Accenture a positive and enriching workplace.
What is your experience working for Accenture?
During my master’s degree, I was uncertain about my post-graduate career path. The reason why I started at Accenture is because their clients are the big companies within the Netherlands. Working with Accenture afforded me a unique opportunity to gain insights into these big organizations, understanding their operations firsthand. The individuals at Accenture share a common DNA characterized by a fervent desire to learn, ambition, and drive. This aspect excited me, as it presented an ideal environment to glean knowledge from my colleagues.
So, reflecting on my initial years in my career, I’ve undergone substantial growth, a trajectory I believe wouldn’t have been as expansive in another company. As a consultant serving multiple clients, exceptional soft skills and a profound understanding of content are prerequisites. Accenture facilitates the development of these skills through comprehensive training programs, including technical certifications in Azure, leadership initiatives, and coaching education. Last but not the least, my appreciation for diverse cultures aligns with Accenture’s expansive global network of ambitious professionals, providing an enriching environment to collaborate and learn.
What did you want to know before you started working as an Associate Manager?
As a University of Amsterdam alumnus discussing my career, I often faced a common question from students: Do Accenture consultants work 60 hours a week? Drawing from my own experiences, I can confidently debunk this notion. Working at Accenture is a busy job, you have to multitask and you will definitely be challenged, but working structurally 60 hours a week is not possible and not required from my perspective. While busy periods may arise, the average workweek is a standard 40 hours.
Next to that, I would highly recommend Accenture if you are not completely sure what you would like to do after your studies and if you would like to learn a lot. Accenture is the perfect spot to investigate and discover what you like to do and what your strengths are, this will definitely help you in your further career. Embrace openness, avoid excessive critique of your initial job, and actively seek diverse experiences for optimal growth.
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