Life as … a Business Support Officer – Bert Uytterhaegen
The majority of our Tobania world (called “the galaxy” according to our Tobians) is populated by our consultants. Each with their own expertise strapped to their backpacks, they head out to our client’s workplace to deliver targeted projects. Perhaps at yours as well? Well, time to get to know them personally! Featured in this edition: Bert Uytterhaegen, Business Support Officer.
“A Business Support Officer assists the customer in any way and form required.”
Bert Uytterhaegen
Can you briefly introduce yourself, Bert?
My name is Bert Uytterhaegen. I am 24 years old and I am the youngest in a family of four (three older sisters!). I was born in Aalst and grew up in a neighbouring town, Haaltert. After finishing high school, I went to Paraguay for an exchange year, where I lived with a host family and went to school with the organisation AFS. After returning, I went to the Artevelde Hogeschool where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Office Management – Business & Languages.
In my spare time, I like to play football, both indoors and on the field outside. Every Wednesday I attend boxing lessons, but there is no sparring involved, only technique training. Moreover, I am active as a volunteer in the international exchange organisation AFS Low Lands (Flanders and the Netherlands together). This mainly involves preparing Belgian students for their exchange trimester, semester or year.
“As a Business Support Officer, you can be part of two teams at once: one being Tobania and the other, the customer.”
What makes working as a Business Support Officer so unique?
It’s all about the opportunities you receive. Working as a Business Support Officer at Tobania gives you the opportunity to try out multiple jobs through multiple projects. You can also be part of two teams at once: one being Tobania and the other, the customer. This is brilliant!
How would your colleagues describe you?
Of all the feedback I have received so far, everything has been positive. They have described me as friendly, eager to learn, proactive and above all very clear in my communication.
What is your go-to productivity trick?
Music really helps me to concentrate on my work. Not a day goes by that I don’t have music popping in my ears, accompanied by a nice black cup of coffee. Also, teamwork really makes the dream work: watching colleagues help each other boosts my productivity and keeps me motivated.
How can you stand out as a Business Support Officer?
Good communication skills are a must, both for interactions with colleagues and customers. Be proactive at work and help where you can.
What did your career path look like? When did you join Tobania?
My career path has just begun! In September to December 2020, I did my graduate internship for school at Cottyn Advocaten in Aalst. After my graduation in January 2021, they offered me a job, which I accepted with pleasure. Although it is a very nice team, it already felt like my career opportunities were put on hold, and that is when Tobania came into the picture. In January 2022 I started working at Tobania and I have not regretted it since.
“There is no need to stress, as everything will work out fine when you have the right motivation and resilience to persevere.”
If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself at the beginning of your career?
Enjoy the flow. Every job, every team and every task will teach you something that will be of value later on in life. There is no need to stress, as everything will work out fine when you have the right motivation and resilience to persevere.
What gives you a professional high?
When I embarked on my project, all the information was very overwhelming. The financial sector is highly regulated, so I wanted to make sure I did everything right. As I got further and further into the job, the questions disappeared. Understanding my work well, thinking about ways to work more efficiently and actually finding them, gives me satisfaction in my professional life.
Do you have the ambition to be a mentor for others?
That is definitely something I would like to be and am already trying to be. I love to share what I know and what I have learned. Being able to see someone grow, both professionally and personally, is very pleasurable for me. I think it also contributes to gaining new insights, as a mentor you also keep on learning and developing.
What skill have you developed during your career that has been worth all the effort?
That must surely be investing time in learning languages. It is sometimes quite an effort, but it pays off. It removes many potential roadblocks and opens up many opportunities in my professional and personal life.
What does your desired future look like?
What I desire most is a healthy balance between work and life. To invest time in both, but always keeping them separate.
“Working as a Business Support Officer gives you the opportunity to try out different work environments and tasks.”
Why should a fellow Business Support Officer come work at Tobania?
First of all, you get to know the Tobania culture! That is already something special. Secondly, the job opportunities are endless. Working as a Business Support Officer gives you the opportunity to try out different work environments and tasks. For someone who hasn’t quite figured out what his/her professional life will look like, this is it!
