Preparing students for the job market
Interview with Daan Papenhuijzen
Graduation year: 2024
Current role and company: Consultant @ Fakton
Favorite memory of BOSS / Favorite spot on BK: Our study trip to Japan and the BOSS hok!
1. How did your transition from MBE to the working world go, and what surprised you most?
What surprised me most is that you gain a lot of relevant knowledge during your studies, but the moment you actually start applying it in practice, there's still a big step to take. At the same time, that's exactly where you learn the most: by simply doing it in practice.
2. What did you do to improve your chances of finding a job right after graduating? What would you advise others?
Through BOSS I managed to land a working-student position at Fakton. I was a working student there for six months, then graduated there over another six months, and afterwards started working full-time. In a way I just rolled straight into it, and I'm still there today. My advice: become a working student somewhere during your studies to gain that first experience.
3. How did you actually find your current job?
I found my current job through BOSS. Fakton is one of BOSS's main sponsors, so I'd already come across them several times during the in-house days and the Real Estate Career Day. That's how I got into conversation with them.
4. What project are you working on right now that you're excited about?
The large area developments, where you have to bring many parties together: from developers and grid operators to municipalities, the province, the national government and housing corporations. Bringing all those parties together and being the spider in the web, I think that's wonderful.
5. Which skill you learned during MBE do you use most on a daily basis?
Connecting people, in other words project management. Many parties all have different perspectives, motivations and perceived risks, and yet you have to reach a deal together. I learned the foundation for that at MBE.
6. Is there anything you'd like to tell MBE students that you wish you'd known earlier?
Everyone in working life is just figuring it out as they go, so don't be afraid to get started. Go and talk to companies, and become a working student somewhere during your studies to gain that first experience. It gives you a much better idea of where you'd really like to work after graduating.