Marketing Generalist at Enza Zaden

A degree in International Business in Amsterdam, followed by a sales internship at Kraft Heinz on the Zuidas. Mila seemed well on her way to a career in the corporate world. It was here that she discovered her interest in the food sector. But working in the seed industry? That definitely wasn’t part of the plan.

Still, she felt she was missing out by being confined to a specific role at large corporations. She wanted to broaden her horizons and see and learn as much as possible across sales and marketing. So, for her graduation internship, she went looking for a company where she could do just that. As it turned out, Enza Zaden – where her mother also worked – was a surprisingly good fit. Because behind a single seed lies an entire world of consumer behaviour, data, international markets and strategy. Exactly the combination Mila was looking for. Today, she brings these worlds together in her role as Marketing Generalist at Enza Zaden.

2015: A little entrepreneur in the making

Even as a little girl, Mila was always looking for opportunities and finding ways to seize them. When she was just 14, for example, she asked her dad to buy flowers that she could sell along the roadside for a few cents extra. Some things you learn young.

2020: Discovering the world of business

After secondary school, it was time to study International Business in English in Amsterdam. Mila wanted to work with different cultures, people and languages, and above all, explore as much as possible. Yet one direction quickly caught her attention: the commercial side of things. She threw herself into everything related to marketing and sales. Time to find out what it looked like beyond the lecture hall.

2023: Zuidas unlocked

Third year of university: time to get down to business. Mila landed a work placement at Kraft Heinz on the Zuidas, diving into the world of sales and supermarkets. Thinking on her feet, taking a commercial approach and understanding why a product does or doesn’t work on the shelf. The food sector left her wanting more. But being confined to narrowly defined roles? Not so much. She wanted to take a broader view, spot opportunities herself and have the freedom to do something with them.

2024: Pi-pa-pumpkins

For her graduation research, Mila looked a little closer to home. Her family suggested the seed sector as an option. Her first thought? What would I even do there? No agricultural background, no particular fascination with seeds. Still, the doors to Seed Valley opened, and she eventually applied for an internship at Enza Zaden. Here, she explored the growth potential of pumpkins in Northwestern Europe. She even made a trip to Spain, because good commercial research is best done right in the heart of the market.

2025: From graduate intern to valued team member

Mila did a great job during her graduation internship, and soon after graduating, she was offered a position on the marketing team. And that desire to avoid being boxed into one role? She found just the right place for that here.

As a Marketing Generalist, Mila gets involved in all sorts of things: gathering market data, digital marketing, setting up product launches, organising events and working closely with Sales. She even joins the crowds at the Nijmegen Four Days Marches to hand out thousands of seedless mini peppers. It takes her right back to the little girl who used to sell flowers along the roadside. And just like that, the circle is complete!

Fun Fact: The pumpkin plot twist

Mila used to have no idea how to cut a pumpkin. Now, she knows all about them – and her research is actually being put into practice. #tobecontinued