Can you shortly introduce yourself? What is your link to Flow?
Hi! My name is Lonneke and in 2012 I started my bachelor Communication and Information Sciences. In the mean time I received my Bachelor’s degree and I started the Master Marketing Management in Tilburg, which I am now finishing. My link to Flow is a committee in my second year: the Web Committee. Besides that, I always enjoyed participating in Flow’s activities, for example company visits and monthly drinks.
Can you tell something about the side job you do?
At Tilburg University I have done different voluntary and paid side jobs of which I still do some with great pleasure. The amount of side jobs at the university has become a bit too much to name in detail, but the thing I like to do the most is the mentoring/help first CIS students and give information through the Student Pool about CIS, the university as an institution and during the Open Day. This is often at high schools and in that way you see a lot of different schools around the Netherlands. This is a very fun thing to do! Through my connections at the Student Pool I also ended up as an Assistant in Market Research, in which I analyze surveys of the yearly National Student Survey. I am also temporary Web Editor for website for the students who have to chose their Master. We are trying to create the right content and correct this if needed.
How did you end up here?
I started as a mentor in my second year. I had a good connection with my own mentor, and my after hearing her story I wanted to become a mentor for the first year students myself. A friend of my gave me the advice to take a look at the Student Pool, after that, the others followed.
How many hours a week does it take? Did you get a study delay?
At this moment I am working about 20 hours besides my master. That is a bit much at some times, but with good planning it is doable. The advantage is that I can schedule my hours myself and for the Student Pool I can inform them when I am available. The hours for the Student Pool can also be in the evening, which is handy as a student! I did an extra year in my bachelor, but that is also because of my board year and full time internship to prepare for the master. I did not see this as a disadvantage, but as an opportunity to develop myself from which I will (hopefully) benefit.
Why do you think that this side job is of added value when you enter the job market?
During the job hunt for my internship the recruiters did not specifically ask what my study included, but they were mainly interested in my side jobs and extracurricular activities and it really has benefits if you have done a lot during your study. If you consider an internship it is good to keep this in mind. With some companies it is a harsh demand at these times. While doing relevant side jobs you can get to know what you like and what you core competences are. The experiences you gain, will always give you an advantage when entering a job interview. Good luck!
