Moving to a new country comes with exciting opportunities, but also with challenges, especially when it comes to finding your place in the job market. For Natalia, a Ukrainian refugee with two university degrees, the journey to meaningful work in the Netherlands was not an easy one. In her own words, she shares how volunteering, perseverance and the support of JobOn helped her rebuild her career and her confidence. 

Two degrees, one big fear 

“My name is Natalia. Like many Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands, I was afraid I would not be able to find a job in my field,” Natalia begins. She had years of study behind her and holds two university degrees, one in foreign languages and another in psychology. In Ukraine, she worked as a schoolteacher and later in a sales department where she sold business courses and trainings. “After arriving in the Netherlands, I could recover from the effects of the war thanks to the Dutch government. Just one month later, I was ready to work again.” 

Volunteering and the urgent question 

Natalia began volunteering as a translator at the crisis center for refugees in Utrecht. There she quickly noticed the most pressing concern for many Ukrainians. “I can truly say that the main question refugees asked was: ‘How can I find work in this country?’ My Dutch colleagues were often surprised by how urgent this question was.” 

She explains: “In Ukraine, there is no functioning social system. No job simply means no food. Despite the stress of war, people are motivated to move forward. We also don’t know what burnout means. It’s simple: work is survival.” Her volunteering eventually opened doors to a job at Veiligheid Regio Utrecht, where she worked for 2.5 years and gained invaluable experience and understanding of refugee issues. 

Facing new challenges 

When her contract ended, Natalia was once again confronted with the difficulties of job searching. “After several unsuccessful interviews, I began to wonder: What am I doing wrong? Why am I not being hired? It felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle.” She knew her goal was clear: to find the right place in the social sector, where she could realize her potential and contribute to people’s lives. 

The breakthrough with JobOn 

Her turning point came when she met JobOn at a location where Ukrainian refugees were living. She vividly remembers her first training with Adelina. “The information Adelina shared was comprehensive and to the point, which I appreciated a lot. She gave real-life examples, explained the differences in work culture between Ukraine and the Netherlands, and offered concrete recommendations.” 

Natalia realized she had been missing an external view of her situation. She also joined the JobOnTrack program, where she attended several group trainings and received individual coaching. “Together, we identified my strong points and worked on my weak ones. The JobOn specialists helped me structure my career priorities, prepare for interviews and most importantly, feel confident again. It was as if they helped me unlock the chakra of self-realization.” 

A meaningful job today 

With new confidence, Natalia rewrote her motivation letter and this time, it worked. “Today, I work as a youth coach at Nidos, supporting teenage refugees. I really enjoy my job, and the young people also appreciate me as a mentor.” She adds: “The most important thing I realized is that the value of every person is inside themselves. Sometimes it is difficult to see this on your own. That is why you should not hesitate to ask for help. Career advisors and coaches can give you clarity and confidence.” 

Natalia’s advice 

Natalia’s journey shows that setbacks can become stepping stones when paired with resilience and the right support. “You will definitely be lucky. The most important thing is to stay open to new opportunities. I haven’t only found a job, but also started to believe in myself again. And that is the real key to building a new life in the Netherlands.”