1. Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, I am Ayleen Bogaerd and I am now 21 years old. I finished my bachelor Communication and Information Sciences and will start with the master Clinical Child and Youth Psychology. In my student days I was an active member of study association Flow. In my third year, I even did a board year and was allowed to function as treasurer in the Daily Board. After my board year, I started my part-time job at the Subsidy Committee of Tilburg University. I also have two other jobs. I still work as a Peereducator at Moneyways and I interview and write texts for a blog website of Dazure.
2. Can you tell something about the side job you do?
The subsidy committee of Tilburg University is called ‘Studium Generale’. Together with 4 other students and 3 employees of the university we form the subsidy committee. Student organizations can apply to this fund for subsidies for study trips and other activities related to science and society. The application that associations submit consists of a proposal and a budget for the activity in question.
Once in a while we have a meeting with the committee. In preparation, everyone reads through the applications that have been made. During the meeting we discuss about details of the applications. After that, the students who have submitted an application have time to clarify their proposal. Once this is done, we decide with the committee if the grant can be administered or if there are any adjustments that need to be made. In addition to reviewing the applications, we also focus on improving subsidy applications. For example, this year we focused on sustainability. We try to continue to develop in this area.
3. How did you end up doing this and with what motivation? Did you need work experience or prior knowledge?
As I had mentioned earlier, I fulfilled the role of treasurer at Study Association Flow. So I already had some affinity with finances. One of Flow’s former treasurers was also on the subsidy committee and she told me that she was going to leave the subsidy committee. This left a vacancy and she asked if I would like to take over her position. I was very enthusiastic about this as it fits in with my duties at Flow. I also thought it would be interesting to be able to support the university in a committee. I was recommended by a former member of the subsidy committee and I also introduced myself to the secretary of Studium Generale. As a result, I was invited for an interview and became a member of the subsidy committee. I would like to add, however, that you do not need to have experience as a treasurer to join the subsidy committee! You can certainly learn. If you want to dedicate yourself to the university, then that is already a good step to start with!
