Learning and working at the same time; as a trainee at NLO, Thalia is developing daily as a trainee patent attorney. Besides the official training to become a Dutch and European patent attorney, she works under supervision on various client cases for the Pharma team. For example, she is currently co-writing a patent application. This brings freedom and responsibility, a combination that creates job satisfaction for Thalia.

Why did you choose NLO as your employer?

From the first moment of contact, Thalia felt that NLO is an accessible organisation, informal but professional.

"With my background in Pharmacy, I was looking for an office with an international working environment. My previous job was in London, where I was working in international teams. I also conducted a multidisciplinary PhD research in the Netherlands; after which I wondered whether I wanted to become a 'real' scientist, working in a specific niche, as a professor, for example? Or shall I continue to develop more broadly and work with a wide range of clients, cases in various fields of work? I realised that I like being involved in scientific projects and that I always look for depth; the world of patents seemed like a good match for me."

"I feel at home at NLO. The mix of different nationalities at NLO gives NLO a unique company culture."

Do you also like your new role in practice as you expected?

Thalia feels at home at NLO. There are ample opportunities to work together with international colleagues; e.g. an Indian colleague and a Turkish colleague have just started working in her team. Several colleagues from England also work at the NLO office in Ede. The mix of different nationalities at NLO gives NLO a unique company culture. Everyone brings different work experience; for example, we discuss the differences in liaising with customers in India compared to the Netherlands.

NLO has a non-hierarchical, personal organisational culture. Thalia feels comfortable to approach her supervisor or senior colleagues if she has questions or wants to discuss her ideas. There is an open and accessible working atmosphere. For example, associates do not have separate workplaces, since everyone is allowed to work anywhere. There is no specific dress code, you can be who you are at NLO.

Another aspect that appeals to Thalia is the internal collaboration. Colleagues can consult each other for advice, all expertise is present within one office. Teams join forces when a case requires it, for example the new insights of a mechanical engineering attorney on a technical innovation, while a patent was originally applied for at the Pharma team.

How do you like working in Ede?

NLO's head office is in The Hague, where most colleagues are based. Ede is one of the smaller offices, with a very nice workspace. There is a lot of space - literally: large desks, spacious rooms and nearby the woods. Here, everyone knows each other. 

"From rowing on the Thames to rowing on the Rhine; for me, I needed to get used to the switch from London to Ede. Fortunately, I  easily make new friends and quickly feel at home. Here I enjoy nature, there is so much greenery around me. I regularly put on my running shoes to go for a run in the woods."

Plus points at NLO: the NLO Academy and company socials

Thanks to the internal training programme called the NLO Academy, Thalia and other trainees have visited all six NLO offices in the Netherlands and Belgium. There are also very enjoyable quarterly drinks with delicious snacks that you can join as an NLO employee. It’s an easy way to get to know everyone and also to learn more about the company culture.