Early Careers Profiles: CFO Camilla
Camilla is part of the Chief Financial Office (CFO) at Deutsche Bank. After completing her bachelor’s degree at Maastricht University and her master’s at Nova SBE Lisbon, she started her career as a CFO Graduate in Frankfurt.
After four rotations within the division, she found her final placement in Treasury.
Why did you choose the Graduate Programme in the Chief Financial Office?
After my studies, I knew I wanted a career in finance, but I wasn’t sure about the specific options or which department I wanted to work in. That’s why a Graduate Programme seemed like the best way to start my career. The CFO Graduate Programme appealed to me because I was interested in finance and, through the rotations, I could get to know different teams, such as, but definitely not limited to, Treasury, Investor Relations, and Cost Performance Management. Also, the Programme duration of about 13 months is perfect for orientation within the division and the bank itself. After the application process and meeting some potential colleagues, I was sure I wanted to join Deutsche Bank.
Which project during your Graduate Programme are you particularly proud of?
During my first rotation, I worked in Treasury on a project where a tool previously programmed in Excel VBA was converted to Python to make it more agile and future-proof. I had no prior programming knowledge and had to learn everything from scratch, but with the help of AI, I was able to successfully complete the project during my three-month team assignment. Even though it’s not a groundbreaking insight that AI can help with programming, it was very exciting for me to experience it in practice. I received feedback that after me, other colleagues also started programming with Python or Excel VBA, something they had never considered before due to lack of prior knowledge. Through AI, developing solutions independently is becoming accessible to more and more people in the bank.
How did your work environment support you as a Graduate?
I received support from all sides throughout my Graduate Programme. From the beginning, everyone was open to conversations, answered questions, and made me feel welcome. During my rotations, I met many people who are now part of my network and we regularly stay in touch. I found a mentor who has already helped me with important career decisions, former Graduates were always helpful, and overall, the CFO network made starting at the bank much easier because I never felt alone or lost. I constantly get opportunities to develop myself further, present my results, and expand my skills. The opportunity to present my own insights and topics in a Next Gen CFO forum gave me visibility and strengthened my presentation skills. I feel that new ideas and approaches are always welcomed at Deutsche Bank, and if you want to make a change, it’s always very much encouraged.
What was the most valuable learning for you during the Graduate Programme?
I learned a lot about myself and, above all, about what I expect from my workplace, my team, and my tasks. Through the various rotations, I had the opportunity to work in different teams with various colleagues and managers, and thus find out what I personally need to feel comfortable and satisfied at work. By working on different tasks – from generalist to highly specialized to project-based – I was able to build new skills and deal with different challenges. And I learned that no matter how young you are or how new you are to the company, you shouldn’t let that intimidate you. You should always believe in yourself, your own ideas and abilities.
What advice would you give to students considering applying to Deutsche Bank?
Do it! If you are looking for an open, warm, and welcoming environment with colleagues who are always ready to help and take the time to make you feel at home right away, this is the right place for you. I moved to Frankfurt for the Graduate Programme and have never felt lonely. It was extremely easy to make contacts, and the network I was able to build in a very short time is something I wouldn’t want to miss. So, if you still need direction for your career start, joining as a Graduate is the perfect opportunity to find your place.
