“It feels amazing to learn something new every day”

Who are the people who consciously choose to work in the pension sector? What do they do all day to ensure your pension is in good hands? And what do they enjoy about their work? In the series 'The person behind your pension' on apg.nl, we take you behind the scenes. In this episode, Daria Plakhova (23) tells about her traineeship at APG Asset Management. “APG actively encourages personal development.”

You hold a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics and a Master’s in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance. What is it about numbers that attracts you?
“I genuinely enjoy the complexity of a problem. It always feels rewarding when I encounter a challenge that I don’t immediately know how to solve. Sometimes the solution seems out of reach, but often, by breaking it down step by step, I manage to reach it. That gives me so much energy, and it’s what has always drawn me to quantitative fields like econometrics and mathematics.”

Did you have a specific goal in mind when you chose these studies?
“My passion was mathematics, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to focus on it exclusively. So, I opted for Economics and Statistics, which is broader and offers more career options. During my studies, I worked a lot with statistics and econometrics, which also involved programming. My university in Moscow collaborated with the local stock exchange on several research projects, and I decided to participate. This sparked my curiosity about investments and financial markets, and I began investing on a small scale myself. The Master’s in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) with a focus on financial mathematics, stochastic calculus [a branch of mathematics that focuses on modeling and analyzing systems in which uncertainty plays a role, such as financial markets, ed.], and programming, gave me the opportunity to combine my passions for quantitative disciplines and investing.”

Was the master’s program your reason for moving to Amsterdam?
“From a young age, I was interested in opportunities to gain international experience, whether through studying or working abroad. This would allow me to experience other cultures. At seventeen, I visited Amsterdam for the first time and immediately felt at home, even though I had no idea then that I would study here later. After researching academic opportunities in several countries, I decided to pursue a master’s degree at the UvA. Fortunately, I was awarded a scholarship, which made it possible to study here.”

You started working as a trainee at APG Asset Management shortly after graduating. Why did you decide to apply to a pension investor?
“I thoroughly enjoyed my studies but felt uncertain about which career path to pursue. The APG traineeship seemed like a perfect match. It offered the opportunity to explore different aspects of my field within a relatively short time. Over two years, you rotate every six months to a different department. Each of the four assignments involves being part of a team and conducting research. So far, it’s been a great learning experience.”

You’re now in the final year of the traineeship. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
“At the start of each six-month period, you know very little about your research assignment. Where do you begin? How do you approach it? But as the project progresses, you gain more knowledge, learn how the team operates, and become part of it. Sometimes you collaborate with APG’s international offices. You also often get the chance to take training courses. This year, for instance, I earned a Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF). For me, it’s all about absorbing as much knowledge and experience as possible.

Initially, I found networking challenging. I hesitated to approach colleagues, fearing I’d interrupt their work. But everyone encouraged me to go for it. It’s important to build connections in an organization. Fortunately, my colleagues were open and willing to help. They all showed me the ropes and shared insights about their work. I’ve learned that by simply asking questions and staying curious, I can significantly accelerate my learning process.”

What kind of other challenges did you face during your traineeship? 
“Every project during the traineeship brought its own challenges. While my first assignment had a clear structure, later projects were more focused on exploring open-ended questions. My main challenge was figuring out how to approach this kind of research. There was no clear path to follow, multiple approaches could be taken, and the project direction shifted as new insights emerged. I’ve learned to develop my own vision, structure my process, and remain flexible, as research is always subject to change.

During your work, you primarily deal with numbers. Do you also do that outside of work hours?
“It’s interesting because what I do in my free time somewhat reflects my working style. I enjoy alternating between social activities—like meeting friends or attending a comedy show—and spending time alone to recharge. This could be reading a good book or going to the gym. And yes, sometimes I enjoy working on my programming skills during the weekend. Similarly, at work, I enjoy collaborating with colleagues and being part of a team, but I also gain a lot of energy from working independently on research. I find that I need both aspects to stay balanced.”

What do you especially look forward to at the start of a new workday?
“The most important thing for me is learning something new and improving my skills. Right now, I get to do that every day, and it feels amazing. Of course, refining and improving skills is part of the traineeship, but the company also actively encourages personal development. I also look forward to collaborating with colleagues. APG is full of people with incredible experience and expertise, and the organization fosters an environment where collaboration and knowledge-sharing thrive. This exposure to different perspectives is invaluable, especially for trainees. I’ve worked with three different teams so far, which has helped me understand how the company operates and how everything is interconnected.”

Your traineeship will end soon. What are your plans afterward?
“I hope to stay at APG. I’m currently looking for a team where I can apply my skills and knowledge to make as much impact as possible. In the coming years, I want to become an expert in my field. I’ve realized I’m also very drawn to the human side of my work and to leadership. So, who knows? Maybe I’ll pursue a leadership role in a few years.”