What did you do before you came to WesselinkVanZijst?

I grew up in Germany with a strong desire to see more of the world. And I succeeded! After finishing school, I spent a year volunteering on a farm in India, and for my bachelor's degree in International Development Management, I moved to the Netherlands.

During my internship and thesis, I seized opportunities to go abroad again, this time to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. There, I investigated how sustainable coffee cultivation can contribute to higher incomes for farmers. Additionally, I am a co-founder of the educational project Easy Dutch, through which we help people learn Dutch via a YouTube channel and podcast.

After my bachelor's degree, I worked for a year as a customer service representative at Fairphone, but later decided to pursue further studies. In addition to my work at WesselinkVanZijst, I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. A challenging, but incredibly educational combination!

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

I work at the secretariat of the SOM Academy. In this role, I support training courses and collaborate closely with trainers and clients to plan and prepare the training sessions. Additionally, I analyze the internal academy processes and strive to automate repetitive tasks as much as possible. I also enjoy understanding and further developing our online learning environment.

What drives you in your work?

I believe it's important to work carefully, deliver high-quality work, and keep my promises. As a secretariat, we often have to solve small, yet intricate, puzzles. This could involve rescheduling a training, delayed book deliveries, or extra client requests. I enjoy weighing all the options and finding a solution. With growing experience, I'm becoming better at identifying and preventing potential problems more quickly. Furthermore, I find the field of WesselinkVanZijst incredibly interesting and fascinating, which motivates me to learn more about it in depth.

What do you like to do most when you're not at work?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, friends, and family. I like to combine this with fun outdoor activities such as hiking or running. I also play at a badminton club, where I train several times a week, and I volunteer as a neighborhood mediator. Occasionally, I get the urge for an adventurous trip, such as a hitchhiking or cycling holiday. But when I want to relax, I prefer reading.