Elise Stedenburg, Class of 2016

Hi Elise! You graduated from Amsterdam School of International Business (AMSIB) with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Management Studies in the year of 2016, what have you been up to since your graduation?

After graduating, I took the time to really think about what I wanted, instead of accepting the first job offer that came my way. It became clear to me that I love helping people, but I also have a strong passion for IT. I started my career as a consultant at Capgemini, where I implemented ERP software for various clients. After three amazing years filled with learning and experience, I was invited for a coffee at Microsoft and ended up transitioning to pre-sales for their CRM solution. It was an incredible and enriching experience to work at such an amazing company, surrounded by ambitious individuals - I obviously never had to explain where I worked. Although I enjoyed it a lot, after three years, I got a new opportunity to learn about pre-sales outside Microsoft. It has now been just over a year since I joined the Australian software vendor Atlassian, once again in a pre-sales role.

You work as solutions engineer (pre-sales) Atlassian. Can you walk us through a typical day in your professional life?

Atlassian operates as a remote-first company, and my team is spread across Europe. This setup means we don't bump into each other in an office, so we make a conscious effort to stay connected. Some of my days begin with informal virtual coffee chats. This not only helps us build relationships but also facilitates asking for help and sharing insights.

In addition to connecting with colleagues, my primary focus is engaging with customers. This involves understanding their workflows, processes, objectives (such as cost savings, efficiency improvements, and enhancing developer experiences), and the challenges they face. This requires active listening and asking the right discovery questions. Atlassian's product suite supports teamwork, including streamlining modern software development, knowledge management, and project management. Once I grasp their current operations and pain points, I prepare for our next meeting with tailored presentations or demonstrations showcasing how Atlassian solutions can address their challenges and align with their strategic goals.

I also allocate time to address pending customer inquiries. Before making a purchase, customers often seek clarification on security measures or specific features. I respond by either scheduling a call to explain our products' functionalities, creating a short video using Loom to avoid additional meetings, or resorting to 'old-fashioned' emails (although I rarely use email since joining Atlassian, to be honest).

Lastly, due to our products' rapid evolution, I dedicate time to staying up to date on the latest developments.

Reflecting on your time at AMSIB, what are the key take-aways from your studies that you find useful in your career and day to day life?

I've always dreamed of working in international environments, so I've chosen my jobs with this goal in mind. I thrive on being surrounded by diverse individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. While it's not always easy, the value of working in such a diverse environment, much like the group work I experienced at AMSIB, has been a great learning for me. Different backgrounds bring different approaches, and this diversity has nothing to do with intelligence. Today, as I continue to work in an international setting, I strive to maintain an open mind, ask questions when needed, and always approach others with respect. 

During your experience at AMSIB, can you recount a particularly memorable moment or period that stands out as your favorite?

An easy one, and probably a common experience for many alumni: the exchange program. I spent 6 months in Madrid, and I had the best time ever. I learned a great deal about navigating a different culture, adapting to new environments, and enjoying a wonderful time making friends from around the globe. Additionally, the experience deepened my appreciation for AMSIB, given the contrast in educational standards. I'm aware that this has been outside AMSIB mostly, although they have always connected with us whilst away. If I had to think of another thing, I really loved the project where we started our own company. I even made it to CEO!

If you had the chance to tweak or enrich one aspect of your experience at AMSIB, what would it be and why?

I believe it would have been beneficial if I had participated more in the extracurricular programs offered by AMSIB. They provided numerous networking opportunities and engaging guest speakers, which, at the time, didn't capture my interest. In hindsight, these events typically lasted just two hours, so attending would have been worthwhile.

Considering your journey and experiences, what advice would you offer to current students navigating their academic and professional paths?

I've come to realize the importance of networking. In all three of my previous jobs, I either received referrals from friends or was contacted through LinkedIn. Keeping your profile up-to-date and adding a personal touch is crucial—it's your personal online brand, and it's free to use. Remember to check the app or site regularly. You don't have to post daily or brag about your achievements (though you can if you're comfortable), but sometimes just a single like from a connection can bring a new job posting to your attention right when you need it. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to your network, especially when you're applying for jobs or already in the hiring process. Slide in their DM's and ask about their experiences or any tips they might have. People often enjoy discussing their work anyway. 

As an established professional and alum, what wisdom or guidance would you share with fellow alumni as they embark on their own careers?

I feel that many people fear making the wrong decisions, but I believe (to a certain extent, of course) that there's no such thing as a truly wrong decision. Even if you choose the wrong job or face failure at work, it provides an experience you won't find in a textbook.

To give a personal example, which I've shared with many students, I didn't enjoy my internship, but I'm still grateful for the experience. I always assumed finance was my passion, so I did my internship in an Accounts Receivable department. It became clear that I lacked the patience for number crunching, an obvious crucial aspect of finance. It didn't spark my joy. 

Reflecting on that experience, I discovered I did have the patience and interest in understanding the IT side of things. Eventually, my first job combined IT with some finance. Just remember, no job is permanent; a complete career shift is always an option. Every experience teaches valuable lessons, so there's no need to worry about time spent exploring different paths.

Lastly, to add a bit of fun to our conversation, could you share an interesting or quirky fact about yourself that others might not know?

This one's a tough one! Maybe a fun fact about one of my first jobs... It was a sort of promotional job where I had to approach random people at parties and festivals. I took on this job because I always felt a bit too shy, and I wanted to work on that. I learned a lot from this experience, and it helped me feel more comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone. As they say, 'A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.