How did you choose your first job?
‘After completing a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at Saxion, I chose master’s at UT in Interaction Technology. I did my graduation project at Dynteq in Enschede, but unfortunately there wasn’t a place for me there afterwards. I made a list of potentially interesting employers in Enschede. I was looking for a role where I could combine the software side with real-world application. I decided to send an open application to Demcon, and that’s how I ended up here.’
You have now been working at Demcon for over a year. Did you have to get used to it or was it more of a flying start?
‘The latter, absolutely. I started as a software engineer in the Defence & Security Systems department, a team of around 25 people. It felt right straight away, even from the interview! It is a small team, but we are part of a larger company with more than a thousand employees. So I get the best of both worlds.’
What does your work involve?
‘I work on the development of autonomous vehicles. These could be used, for example, to transport patients or deliver goods in hard-to-reach areas or dangerous situations. It is exactly what I was looking for: the combination of software with making something tangible. In the long run, I hope to grow into a project leader role, focusing more on coordination.’
How did the transition from study to working life go?
‘Overall, quite well – though there are certainly differences. At university, project-based work was already standard, the programme was very hands-on, and there was plenty of room to engage with industry. The paperwork is the biggest difference. If you want to get a product certified, everything has to be carefully documented. It is still project work, but more serious and with higher stakes.’
What advice would you give current students looking for their first job?
‘Think carefully about what you want and explore your opportunities on the job market. During my studies I had already spent a lot of time thinking about it, and during my graduation project I was actively applying. In the end, I only took two weeks’ holiday after graduating, but that was exactly what I wanted: to get started straight away.’
You chose to stay in the region after graduation. Was that a deliberate choice?
‘Yes. I am from Enschede and saw no reason to leave. I know many students head for the Randstad, but that wasn’t the case for me. While there isn’t a festival every week, I do notice that the city is becoming more vibrant, and on top of that, life here is affordable.’
