Arthur Burggraaf and Jeroen Smeets

Jeroen leads the UX Design & Content team at Wholesale Banking. Through the Unknown Talent programme, he was able to offer him a job opportunity and find a good use for Arthur’s talents in his team. For Arthur, it’s a chance to not only demonstrate what he has to offer, but also to learn a lot. 
 

Arthur has a congenital disorder that caused his kidneys to fail immediately after he was born. He has been through a lot since then: dialysis, his first kidney transplant in 2003, various viruses, back on dialysis again when the donor kidney stopped working after 18 years, and his second transplant in 2022. All this has had a major impact on his physical and mental well-being.  

Arthur: “Despite all my medical problems, I gained a college diploma in graphic design, specialised in illustration. I even did some internships, including one with an illustrator. I was very eager to start work after leaving college.” 

His job search didn’t run particularly smoothly, especially as he had to go back on dialysis shortly after finishing his diploma. He was only really able to start applying for a job after his second transplant, and even that was difficult. Arthur: “I worked at a graphic design agency in my village for a year, and later as a graphic designer for a charity on a voluntary basis. But I noticed that they sometimes found it challenging to work with me because I couldn’t always deliver on my promises.” 

“Then I came into contact with Emma at Work through the Dutch association for kidney patients, and that led me to ING’s mentoring programme in the Netherlands. I thought it could possibly play a part in my mental health rehabilitation. And it turned out to do more than that: it was the stepping stone to my current job in Jeroen’s team.” 

Jeroen: “I heard about Arthur from a colleague who had seen his presentation at the mentoring programme’s final session. In our very first meeting, I saw that he was very motivated and able to add something to the team. After one try-out day and a trial assignment, it was clear: Arthur was welcome in our team. And thanks to the Unknown Talent programme, we were able to arrange the onboarding quickly and smoothly.” 

Transparency is the keyword in Jeroen and Arthur’s professional relationship. Jeroen: “The programme is for a one-year period. That’s been clear from the start, and so too has the fact that Arthur needs to improve his UX design skills. So far, he has mainly done illustration work. He has made some beautiful and useful things for us, but he now needs to take the extra step.” Arthur: “It’s nice that we’re so open with each other. In return, I make no secret of my situation in terms of what I can or can’t do right now.” 

When asked about the benefits of his job, Arthur replies: “It has boosted my self-confidence. Work gives you a purpose, a routine, makes you feel valued. And I’m learning a lot that I can use in my future career.” Jeroen adds: “As a designer, Arthur has an amazing eye for detail, and the patience of a saint. And as a team member, he brings a new dynamic. He speaks openly about how he feels, both physically and mentally. Others can learn from his example. Personally, I think we should talk more about diversity. Because we all have some kind of issue, right? For example, I have severe dyslexia.” 

The focus now is on preparing for the future. Arthur: “This year is a nice springboard to some cool, paid work in my own field of expertise – either at ING or elsewhere. I’m already expanding my network and meeting various people for coffee. I’m confident that something wonderful will turn up.” 

Unknown Talent is an ING programme facilitating the recruitment of colleagues with a chronic disease, handicap or neurodivergent condition such as autism.