What has your career been like so far?
After completing my bachelor, I had the feeling that on paper I ‘knew’ how companies work, but besides my BEP I had barely seen anything in practice. For that reason, I took a gap year, where I worked both at a publishing house and at the Young Advisory group, a student consultancy where you both run the company and perform the projects, a combination that really spoke to me!

After that year, I started with my master OML and joined the honours academy. For the latter, I had to find a project. I got together a team and we worked on creating our own start-up that would allow students to buy a room instead of rent it. Although with the current market, the idea was financially not feasible, I learned a lot and I think it is cool how the TU/e supports these initiatives (e.g. via Innovation Space).

Due to corona, I was initially not able to go on exchange, so I did an internship instead (later I went on exchange anyway, because I really wanted to go). For this internship, I started working at Taylor Technologies, where I also worked as a controller, increasing my insight into the financial side of a start-up.

I finished my master thesis at Vandelande and after graduation I started looking for the next challenge. Based on previous experiences, I wanted to work at a technical start-up/scale-up and wanted to be more involved with the technique that was produced there. That is how I started at Eleo Technologies, where I work as a production process engineer now already for over 9 months. Within this job, I get the freedom to create and/or improve a large variety of processes, by working together with a lot of nice colleagues in different disciplines.

Which course would you add to the IE curriculum to setup students for success?
During my exchange semester in Trondheim (Norway), I followed a negotiations course. I think this was one of the most enjoyable courses I attended and I think the IE curriculum could use a bit more focus on practical skills like this.

Where do you get the most energy from during and after your work?
I get the most energy of the people around me, both during and after work (as cheesy as it sounds haha). Moreover, during work I like to be challenged, to be thrown in at the deep end, where creative solutions are required to solve the issue at hand. Working in a fast growing start-up company, luckily there is plenty of that!

How did a specific project or experience during your career showcase the practical added value of your theoretical knowledge in a real-world business context?
I think in my current job, the theoretical knowledge from TBK & OML really helps in understanding and optimizing the machine line. Concepts like WIP, throughput, buffers, utilization, etc. are daily business. But then again, I think my job is also a very typical TBK job 😉.

What advice would you give current students?
Maybe a practical one: go for a “studiebiertje” somewhere during the exam weeks. Sometimes it is good to take a break to be able to study more efficiently the day after,

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?
Old question:
Where do you get the most energy from during and after your work?

New question:
What would be your dream job and how do you plan to get there?

Why:
Interesting to see what is someone’s point on the horizon they are working towards!

What has your career been like so far?
For 10 years I worked in Industrial Maintenance in various roles, as project/program manager, improvement manager, coach, consultant and change manager at Stork and Trespa. After that I quit my job to focus on acting & theater making, and I founded my own company 8 years ago. As an actor/theater maker I use my creativity and empathy to create meaningful connections and experiences with emotional impact. I write, direct and play, always connecting myself with others.
In my company I focus on developing personal & professional leadership skills for teams and individuals, combining my analytical, creative and people skills as trainer, coach, director and actor.
Recently I joined Library Eindhoven as Program Director Multilingualism.

What makes you happy in your work?
It makes me happy to work on meaningful development. For me it matters that at the end of the day I was able to make a positive impact on someone’s life, and on society. In my company this translates to working on emotional development, and connecting emotions to content. When emotions can be expressed, addressed and included, people feel truly connected. By stimulating and cultivating vulnerability as a strength, I contribute to a connected future.

Furthermore I love that my full skillset is needed in my work. I have a very broad interest and like diversity, and switching between content, emotion and creativity.

What was the most important moment in your career and why?
After working in the industry for 10 years, I decided to quit my job to study Acting and Theater making. I also became mother of twins in the same time. This was quite a dynamic period, in which I learned a lot on the strength of vulnerability. It gave me the opportunity to develop my emotional hemisphere in a much faster pace than I could have done within the Industry. I feel more balanced and whole now. It helped me embrace and value my sensitivity, that I can now use to help others.

Generation ‘Z’ is joining the workforce. They are digital natives and it is said they approach work differently and strive for meaningful work and push for sustainability. How do you think will Gen Z change your work?
I’m very interested in seeing how Gen Z will fuel the much needed societal and institutional change. I can fully recognize the strive for meaningful work and am cheering for it. In my work I love to stimulate them in creating meaningful connections. If they are willing and daring to burst their bubbles, initiate and join in difficult conversations, connecting people of different ages and backgrounds, work on deep listening and deep reading, slowing down from time to time, I believe they can make a sustainable impact. For my work I believe Gen Z is a catalyst for societal development that I’m very welcoming to.

What (professional) dreams do you have for the future?
I dream of an inclusive society, where, regardless of language, background, sex or colour, everyone can develop their true potential. Where it’s not just about creating money, but about improving everyone’s well-being. Where having a different opinion is valued. Where we can all feel at home, free and connected.

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?
Old question:
What (professional) dreams do you have for the future?

New question:
What is your vision on society and what are you doing to create a better future?

Why:
Tapping into Gen Z’s drive, I’m very curious. I also believe work should not just be work. It should be meaningful. Let’s talk about that more. What do you feel is most meaningful about your work?