Learning, growing, and thriving as a global trainee

foto Sofiia 1

Building a career across borders

My name is Sofiia Chernysh, and I am originally from Ukraine. I moved to the Netherlands to study, and that international journey has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. Growing up and living in different countries made me realise how much I enjoy working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. That is exactly why joining a global company like FrieslandCampina felt like the perfect match for me.

I am currently a Global Trainee within the Business Group FrieslandCampina Ingredients. From the very start of the traineeship, I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities and involved in important projects. I work at the intersection of commerce and supply chain, providing an end‑to‑end overview of whey processing. Through market research, data analysis, and strategic insights, I help strengthen FCI’s competitive position.

What stands out most to me about the Global Traineeship is the continuous focus on learning and development. You are constantly expanding your knowledge and discovering new things often, things you didn’t even know you needed. FrieslandCampina supports you in the best possible way, enabling you to grow while making real impact at the same time.

Where passion meets purpose

If I had to describe myself, my passion for achieving results would stand out the most. In every meeting, I give everything I have. I naturally look at the positive side of situations, and I’ve noticed that I already promote FrieslandCampina without even realising it, simply because I genuinely believe in the company and its values.

FrieslandCampina has a strong culture of collaboration and shared ambition. Aiming high is encouraged and supported, because the company’s goals are clear to everyone. Results are achieved together, not alone. As we say: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go further, do it together.”

Outside of work, I love travelling solo. Being part of a large trainee community while also having the freedom to travel gives me a great deal of energy. You build strong friendships, take on a high level of responsibility, and truly feel that FrieslandCampina trusts you. Travelling helps me recharge, so when I return, I am fully energised and ready to give my all again. It also gives me the time and space to reflect, both professionally and personally.

 

Sofiia 2

Looking forward

One thing I have truly learnt during the traineeship is that you are never alone as a trainee. You achieve things together. Collaboration is essential, and you are always surrounded by people who are willing to support you and help you grow. At the same time, being well‑organised is key. This is a skill I developed through my hobby of solo travelling, and I now apply it every day in my work.

When you travel alone, you need to plan, adapt, and stay calm when things don’t go as expected. You will always face challenges, just like at work. Through travelling, I learnt that even when you encounter difficulties, things will work out in the end if you keep going and stay committed. That mindset helps me enormously in my daily role at FrieslandCampina.

Looking to the future, I would love to work more closely with brand marketing, should the opportunity arise. One of the things I truly appreciate about the Global Traineeship is the possibility of different rotations, allowing you to explore various functions and discover where your strengths lie. In the future, I would also like to take on even more responsibility, as that genuinely excites and motivates me.

I am very much looking forward to the coming years, and I hope to gain a wealth of experience, take on new challenges, and continue discovering new skills along the way.

When we asked Sofiia if she had any advice for people considering a traineeship at FrieslandCampina, she didn’t hesitate: “Just do it. It will be the best time of your life.”

Want to know more about traineeships at FrieslandCampina

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