What has your career been like so far?

After graduating, I started as a Consultant Supply Chain Strategy at Deloitte. I mainly did projects in the field of Network Design in various sectors. At a certain point I started to miss the practical side, because as a consultant you are usually only involved in the plan & not in the execution. Then I became a Network Planner at KLM Cargo, which fitted in well with my experience at Deloitte. In the past year I have made a career switch, by doing something different in terms of both industry and function. Now, as Operations Manager at Picnic, I am responsible for the operation at a Fulfilment Center.

Why did you choose the industry you work in now?

During COVID, my job at KLM suddenly changed from a strategic/tactical to an operational character. I liked this so much that, after the operational part at KLM decreased when the COVID situation stabilized, I started looking for another job. In addition, I wanted to work for a company that has a lot of change and growth. The reason I now work for an online supermarket is not so much driven by the industry, but more by the phase that the company is in.

How do your expectations about your career during your student days differ from today?

During my student days I was very focused on my career, and I had high expectations of working & making a career. I’m now more focused on having a nice job and not so much making a career itself. I also found out that the ideal job does not exist, which I thought during my student days.

A technical business expert often knows how to see the bigger picture. Suppose you can exchange with Mark Rutte for a week and the Netherlands is your BV, which 2 things would you find important and tackle?

As the Netherlands, we are becoming more and more a knowledge-driven economy. However, it remains essential that we have enough people who can & want to work with their hands. This will be necessary to be able to tackle, for example, the housing & climate crises.

In addition, I would like to tackle the tax & surcharge system. It has become impracticable for the government, and incomprehensible to the citizen. I advise those interested to read Pieter Omtzigt’s book, after which it becomes clear how complicated this system has become.

What advice would you give current students?

Try not to make too much of an image of an ideal company or job. Go for a job that appeals to you, and where you have a good feeling about the company & your future colleagues. In the end, you only really know what it’s like when you experience it yourself.

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?

Old question: A technical business expert often knows how to see the bigger picture. Suppose you can exchange with Mark Rutte for a week and the Netherlands is your BV, which 2 things would you find important and tackle?

New question: A technical business expert often knows how to see the bigger picture. Suppose you can exchange a week with the Minister of Climate, how would you tackle the current crises in the field of CO2 and nitrogen?

Why: I think that a specific question on a particular topic can yield interesting points of view. I’m curious how someone with TBK glasses on looks at these crises.

What has your career been like so far?

During my studies, I knew that I aspired to a managerial position. My first employer is MSD, Merck Sharp & Dohme, a large American pharmaceutical company. I had three leadership positions there. Started as a supervisor of a packaging department to grow through manager of this department to manager planning. For me, these years have laid a solid foundation for my leadership skills and working with and/or motivating employees. A very nice intensive period in which working weeks of 60 hours was self-evident.
And then children came. It had to juggle my attention for work and home. With the arrival of my third child, I changed course. It was a difficult choice to let go of ‘my career’. Stephen Covey’s second characteristic ‘Begin with the end in mind’, has helped me enormously. I opted for the most enjoyable part of my job: letting people grow in their personal development, empowering them.
I can now say that it was a good choice. Personal development is central to my second half of my working life. Since 2014 I have my own training agency Savvy Training, which focuses on in-company training focused on personal leadership, practical leadership and personal effectiveness (time savings, workpressure, burnout and stress management).
In addition, I also focus on supporting members of l’Attaque Attique. I was at the cradle of this Industrial Engineering dispute, which has grown into a wonderful network of female BDK engineers.
Finally, I recently joined the group of coaches of the GURU program of the TU/e Innovation Space, supporting starters who are working on sustainability in setting up their team / business.

What makes you happy in your work?

Personal development, always continuing to grow is one of my core values. The fact that I can play a role for others gives me energy.
In order to be able to continue to do this, my own development is also going on. By following training courses, reading books and intervision groups, I keep my own inspiration at a high level.

What was the most important moment in your career and why?

For me, three moments stand out. The moment I realized that I wanted to balance work and home life more, was a very important moment for me. Letting go of my primary focus on work. It has given direction to the rest of my career.
A second important moment is starting Savvy Training. Really standing on your own two feet: running your own business. I had to grow in that, a little more every year.
The third moment is not so long ago. The realization that I want to pass on my knowledge and experience to the younger generation. That has led me to set up the reunion club C’est l’Attaque and to work as a GURU coach.

How could the training in Business Administration at TUE be further improved?

In terms of content, I thought it was a great education. An active alumni network is what would make the programme even stronger. The further I get in my career, the more I realize that with a strong network you can really make a difference.

How do you distinguish yourself as a business manager from managers with a different background? In which aspect is the greatest added value as a business administrator?

My education has taught me to think broadly, to put things in a bigger picture. Although I often don’t know the details of the coachee’s work, I can think broadly and spar with coaches at that level.

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?

Old question: ‘How could the Business Administration programme at TUE be further improved?’

New question:
‘Looking back on your career, would you make the same choices with today’s knowledge?’

Why:
Reflecting is, in my opinion, one of the most important ways to learn. I like to reflect and by sharing your reflections with other BDK-ers, you might be able to give them new refreshing insights.