What did you study?
"After completing my secondary education in Science and Mathematics, I opted for a bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Karel de Grote Hogeschool. Chemistry appealed to me greatly because I find it very logical, which makes it much easier to understand the subject matter. After three years of studying, I felt that I could develop my abilities even further and that I was looking for an extra challenge in my future career. That's why I decided to transfer to Chemical Engineering Technology, via a transition year. During my master's programme, I deliberately chose the elective course Aspen Simulation, because it was most relevant to practice and to what I would encounter later in the field. Although I now work as a Piping Engineer and not as a Process Engineer, that strong chemical and process background still adds great value to my job."
What do you do in your current job?
"I work as a Piping Engineer at Fluor Engineering N.V., an engineering firm that designs chemical installations from the concept phase to the detailed design and even the construction phase. As a Piping Engineer, you determine where pipes are placed, how they are supported, and you create 3D models that you present to the customer! As a Piping Engineer, you bring to life and visualize what the process engineer works out on paper. In addition, you are at the heart of the project: you are in constant contact with various disciplines such as Process, CSA, E&I, Mechanical, and of course with the customer. That central role makes the job particularly exciting and varied."
What was your student life like?
"I always enjoyed studying and liked going to class. I would recommend that to everyone: not only to improve your study results, but also to make contacts with fellow students. Those social connections are extremely valuable, both for collaboration during the year and for asking questions. The threshold for asking for help is often lower, especially in a world where social media enables rapid communication. Besides, studying isn't just about hard work. There's also room for relaxation and fun, for example by going out together. Just like in chemistry, it's all about connections. Some of them can even last a lifetime, and I'm lucky enough to be able to say that."
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
"Although you often don't know exactly what you want at a young age, it's important to choose a course that really interests and inspires you. Working can be a lot of fun, but only if you do something you enjoy. That has a huge impact on your mental well-being. You will be working for a large part of your life, so give yourself the opportunity to do something that energizes you. And if you find that your choice wasn't quite right after all, that's perfectly okay. You have plenty of time and opportunities to change direction."
Why is it important to put women in science in the spotlight?
"Although there are many more women active in science today than in the past, the ratios are still not equal. That doesn't have to be an exact balance, but it is important that no one is held back by gender or stereotypes. Moreover, we must not forget that this is not a given, but rather an acquired ‘right’. And it certainly has advantages. Collaboration between men and women, and more generally between different types of people, leads to stronger projects and better results because there are different insights and ways of thinking. That joint pursuit of a successful end result gives an enormous sense of satisfaction, something to be proud of, regardless of your gender. So I see no reason why a woman should not belong in science!"