Curiosity is the beginning of everything I do

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My name is Hassan Haroon Ur Rashid, and I am a Global IT Trainee at FrieslandCampina.

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, before moving to the Netherlands for my master’s in Business Intelligence. Technology, data, and understanding how systems evolve have always fascinated me, and joining FrieslandCampina became the perfect opportunity to explore all of it.

I am currently part of the SAP Centre of Excellence, where I support our transition to S/4HANA through Project OPTIMUS. My work focuses on AI use cases, responsible AI governance, and preparing our ERP landscape for the future. The pace of innovation is incredibly fast, and that constant sense of discovery gives me energy every day.

Growing up, FrieslandCampina was already part of my daily life, even without me knowing. In Pakistan, my family always bought Olpers, and in Saudi Arabia we used Rainbow products. Realising that these familiar brands were part of the company I now work for felt like coming full circle. And yes, I love vla, I still pick up two cartons every time I go to the supermarket.

Curiosity, creativity and growing at FrieslandCampina

If I had to describe myself through our company natures, I would choose Curious and Innovative. Curiosity is the foundation of how I learn and how I work, and I believe that growth starts with wanting to understand more. That is why the EVP pillar Nourishing Growth fits me so well.

Since the start of my traineeship, I have been encouraged to explore different teams, topics and technologies. My manager has never placed me inside a strict frame, instead he has given me the freedom to learn, ask questions and discover where my strengths lie. That level of trust has shaped my development more than anything else.

Outside of work, I have always been passionate about filmmaking and photography. For me, photography is not only about capturing an image, it is about capturing an emotion and a moment. It teaches you to look at familiar places from angles that others might overlook. That mindset flows naturally into my work, because finding new angles often leads to creative solutions.

I hope people feel that when I talk about my role. Just like a photograph can express a feeling, I want my enthusiasm to reflect what it is like to work here.

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A global learning journey and the future ahead

Being part of a global traineeship has opened my perspective in ways I never expected. Working closely with trainees from Malaysia, Europe and many other regions teaches you to value different ways of thinking. It makes discussions richer, and it prepares you for working in a truly international organisation.

Over the past months, I have grown much more than I expected. I remember a moment earlier this year when I realised how confidently I now talk about AI, governance and complex system architecture, topics that felt overwhelming at first. That awareness made me understand how far I have come.

Looking forward, I see myself in a role that connects the business and technical world. I want to help teams implement AI solutions, understand their needs and translate them into systems that create real impact. One of my biggest role models at FrieslandCampina is our former Director of Data and Analytics. The clarity, energy and leadership that he brought into every meeting truly inspired me, and it shaped how I see my own future.

When students or young professionals ask me for advice, I always say the same, if you are curious and eager to grow, this traineeship is one of the best choices you can make. If I were in the same position again, I would choose it again without hesitation.

Want to know more about traineeships at FrieslandCampina

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