Administrative assistant and assistant head of calf husbandry Maria Taling-Versteeg has not gone to work reluctantly a single day. "I work full-time and am therefore at work a lot, so it's important to me that I have fun here. And that is absolutely the case. That's mainly because at the beginning of the day, I don't know what challenges I’m going to have to tackle."

Her colleagues also contribute to her job satisfaction. "Our team is perfect. I have been working here for 13 years now, but am the one with the fewest years of work. That says something. Everyone is hugely committed and we’re all happy to stand in for another person. We don't have a direct supervisor, but we don't need one at all. We are a self-managing office."

Maria joined the VanDrie Group after a reorganisation at her previous employer. "When I saw the vacancy in the local newspaper, I decided to apply immediately. It’s around the corner for me, which is wonderful. I started simply with processing vet bills. I soon advanced in stall administration and after about five years, I also became the right-hand woman to the head of calf husbandry."

Everyone is hugely committed and we’re all happy to stand in for another person. We don't have a direct supervisor, but we don't need one at all. We are a self-managing office.

MARIA TALING - VERSTEEG

She loves learning new things. At the VanDrie Group, she is given the space to do so. "With the help of my colleagues, I have grown in my current position, but I want to make further strides. I naturally like to learn new things. I have no agricultural training or background, which I notice from time to time in my work as assistant head of calf husbandry. I really need to delve into certain topics sometimes. That makes things difficult, but also fascinating."

In her spare time, Maria likes to be creative: diamond painting, drawing and building models. “My husband loves to be out and about, so we regularly go hiking or shopping together. I really enjoy myself both at home and at my work."

Working at the  VanDrie Group
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