After completing her studies at VU Amsterdam, Sabina Atzei built a career that took her from financial positions to international development cooperation. Today, she works as Senior Manager in Cordaid’s Expertise, Innovation & Learning unit, focusing on projects in fragile and conflict-affected regions. “I work on themes such as peacebuilding, inclusivity, and policy, topics that are increasingly relevant not only internationally but also nationally,” she says.
Choosing VU Amsterdam
Sabina chose the bachelor’s in Economics and Business Economics because of its combination of business and human perspectives. “What appealed to me was the clear link between economics and the human side of business. Courses like Business Psychology, Organisation & Leadership, and Marketing beautifully brought those two worlds together.”
During the open day, she immediately felt at home. “The presentations gave a clear and honest impression of the programme, and there was room for humour and relativity. That atmosphere made me think: this is where I belong.”
Valuable courses and experiences
The courses that connected theory and practice proved most valuable. “I found Business Psychology, Organisation & Leadership, and Marketing very interesting, but I also enjoyed the more quantitative courses such as Advanced Accounting and Cost & Profit Analysis.”
After graduation, she travelled for a while and completed an internship in Vietnam through VU’s Development Cooperation Service. “I wanted to work in the development sector but didn’t get in right away. In the meantime, I helped a fast-growing ICT company get its accounting in order. My studies were really useful there, and it was a great learning experience.”
One topic that particularly struck her during her studies was the position of women in business. “For a paper in Business Psychology, I wrote about the glass ceiling, why women are less likely to advance to leadership positions and how companies can promote inclusivity. I found that theme so fascinating that I linked my internship to it.”
For her research internship, she joined the Amsterdam Department of Spatial Planning, studying the possibilities of part-time leadership, a topic well ahead of its time. “It was inspiring to work on issues related to diversity and equality.”
She also fondly remembers a study trip to Mexico, where she and her fellow students researched the market potential of Dutch cheese. “It was a fantastic experience, educational but also great fun. It brought together students from different disciplines.”
From finance to social impact
In the first fifteen years after graduation, Sabina worked in financial positions where she could directly apply her economics background. Later, she moved into project management and international development cooperation. “In my current role, I still use the skills I developed during my studies, from managing budgets to leading teams and contributing to policy development.”
She emphasizes the importance of analytical thinking. “During my studies, I learned to break down complex issues and approach them from different perspectives. That reflective mindset really helps me now in situations where there are no easy answers.”
Sabina sees the bachelor’s at VU Amsterdam as an excellent foundation for a diverse and meaningful career. “It’s a broad and flexible degree that allows you to specialise later on, whether that’s in business, government, or the non-profit sector.”
