Are you interested in pursuing a career in humanities, behavioral sciences or creative industries? At this Student-Alumni Career Networking Event, you can meet with UvA-alumni that have built a career in these fields in The Netherlands. They will share their experiences with finding a suitable position, which hurdles they had to take to get to where they are now and advise you on steps to take after you finish your studies in this field.
Name: Isabel Ekua Thompson
Study: Master Eastern European Studies, Master Cultural Analysis, Bachelor European Studies
Current Position:
Lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities
Advice:
To really work out exactly what is drawing you to a career in academia and search accordingly (be that teaching, independent research or joining a current research project). Have all your notifications on for all the different websites that post academic positions (I have a long list!). And be settled in the Netherlands before taking on a position in a certain city - there’s nothing worse than starting a new job without having an apartment.
Name: Oli Ulas Uygun
Study: Media and Information
Current Position:
Founder and head designer of Studio WOO, an Amsterdam-based creative studio in the art & visual design space.
Advice:
Invest considerable time in building a network that can contribute to your personal and professional growth. Second, try to develop a healthy approach to integration. Third, invest some time into finding what you're naturally good at, and double down on it while developing a technical skill set into your passions.
Name: Elena Skafida
Study: Master Pedagogical Sciences: Youth at Risk (track), Bachelor Social Work
Current Position:
Owner and founder of Protea Preventie, amongst others I am social worker, basis pedagogue, intervention specialist, trainer and teacher
Advice:
Adaptation is a dynamic process and not always linear. It’s crucial to focus on the specific professional group you aim to work with and carefully evaluate the criteria, which may differ from what you are accustomed to. Openness to Dutch culture is essential, and being direct aligns well with the local communication style, starting from the early school years. Embracing this directness can enhance your ability to connect with colleagues and peers. Additionally, considering the multicultural nature of the Netherlands, learning Dutch can be a valuable asset, opening up more opportunities and facilitating deeper integration into both professional and social spheres.
Name: Brina Skof
Study: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor International Business and Management
Current Position:
CRM team lead at Loop Earplugs, leading a team of 2 operational specialists focusing on strategy and stakeholder management.
Advice:
Find out what type of company fits you best, size wise and maturity wise.Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with someone that could help you on your career path.Get relevant work/practical experience during your Master’s! (e.g. internship, part time freelance, take courses) Practice for job interviews!
Name: Belen Estrella
Study: Erasmus Mundus master in Journalism, Media, and Globalization, focusing on Media and politics
Current Position:
Communication Manager Operations at Danone.
Advice:
Be patient and open-minded, your first job might not be your dream job but you need to leverage the best of each opportunity to construct the future you want. Also, make a good assessment if you want, or need (in terms of opportunities), to stay in The Netherlands. It is a market with many opportunities but not always easy to start in.
