Laure Ruggieri
JUNIOR BUYER, AMSTERDAM
CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
After graduating with a bachelor’s in Political Science and a master’s in International Security, I worked in customer support for a year, until I came across an advertisement for a communications and events role at GÉANT on LinkedIn. I joined GÉANT in 2021, initially working in Marcomms. After raising an interest in joining Procurement, GÉANT created the opportunity for me to move departments. I have been working in Procurement ever since and I am really enjoying it!
“My team creates an environment where I feel respected, listened to and mentored. I feel like a valued member of my team and therefore I feel like a valued member of the bigger picture.”
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A VALUED MEMBER OF GÉANT?
My team. It is a very concrete type of work in Procurement so I know exactly what I’m doing, why I am doing it and what will be the result. My team creates an environment where I feel respected, listened to and mentored. I feel like a valued member of my team and therefore I feel like a valued member of the bigger picture.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT WORKING AT GÉANT?
I love the human aspect and the overall flexibility of the environment. As someone who doesn’t live in Amsterdam the home working policy has been life changing. I can easily spend a lot of my time using public transport, but with the possibility to work from home a few times a week it means I get more time to myself. It’s great being able to work from home or have the choice to go into the office. We also have great interactions between different departments because it’s important to engage with what your colleagues are working on. Overall, I feel like I’m swimming around in an ocean and I can go in whichever direction I want; I feel like I’m free.
WHAT MAKES GÉANT DIFFERENT TO OTHER COMPANIES?
People have been working here for so long that there is a real sense of community at GÉANT. It genuinely feels like we have our own family, something very different to a stereotypical corporate environment. You almost live at GÉANT more than you work at GÉANT.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK LIFE WITH YOUR SOCIAL LIFE?
The special thing about GÉANT is that my work has become part of my social life. I used to think that my work and my social life would always be separate until I started here. I would never have expected that!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY AT GÉANT?
A company event where we travelled together to the UK. During it we had a gala night where we got to dress up, dance and have dinner together - there was so much effervescence and happiness in the air. It was such a unique night for me and everyone else. One of the happiest moments for me during my time at GÉANT so far.
WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE AT GÉANT?
Definitely my colleagues and all the little interactions, conversations and jokes that happen throughout the day. The human aspect of it is great, it’s so involving and touching. Sometimes I find myself at home remembering some moments that happen here - it genuinely makes me laugh or smile. So, I think this is really part of the unique human dimension of GÉANT.
ABOUT LAURE
Originally from France, Laure moved to the Netherlands in 2018. There she studied international relations and completed a bachelor’s in Political Science and a master’s in International Security. Laure completed her studies during the pandemic which meant she didn’t get to attend her graduation - instead her diploma came through the post!
Life @ GÉANT
