Career Days launch ‘Don’t just focus on success’
‘Health, happiness and productivity. The focus is mainly on the latter, but to create a sustainable career you need all three.’ These were the words of Professor of Sustainable Careers Jos Akkermans at the opening of the Career Days. Students can visit these university and faculty days for workshops, presentations and CV checks.
‘Who feels stressed at the idea that you’ll soon have to start looking for a job?’ Akkermans asks. Nearly all the students in the room put their hands up. ‘The first choice in your career was never so unimportant. It’s just one choice in a longer career. Your first choice definitely isn’t your last’, says Akkermans. This takes the pressure off students, but he also understands their concerns. ‘Although it’s good to take a proactive approach towards your career, there are factors that are out of your control.’ The audience nods.
The next step
The keynote has struck a chord with Rochnie Booij. ‘I’ve realised I’m finding it hard to decide on the next step. It’s inspiring to hear other people’s experiences.’ Booij is a recent Master’s in Health, Ageing & Society graduate and has a busy day ahead. ‘I’m about to go to the information market, am getting my CV checked and then I’m off to a workshop on how to find inner peace in your career.’ The day isn’t over yet, but she already has some insights. ‘Keep your eyes and ears open. It doesn’t have to be right first time. Experiences that don’t suit you can also help you discover what does make you happy.’
‘They’re inspiration days’
‘Students are increasingly likely to ask about transferable skills, such as communication, reflection or presentation skills. The networking workshop is really popular, for instance’, says policy officer, and study and career adviser Ilse Huijskens. ‘Developing these general skills makes you more flexible, which makes it easier to switch jobs. It also increases your employability.’ Huijskens hopes students will come up with new ideas at the Career Days. ‘They’re inspiration days.’
Exploring the Dutch job market
‘My takeaway is the importance of work-life balance. You need to maintain this if you want a healthy and sustainable career’, says international student Diego Reis. As well as the university afternoon, he also plans to go to the Campus The Hague Career Event to learn more about the Dutch job market. ‘I’ve signed up for the networking workshop. I haven’t been living in the Netherlands for that long, so I want to find out how to build a network here.’
Faculty events
After the university kick-off at the Old Observatory on 14 April, various events were held at the faculties. At the Humanities Career Event, students could attend workshops and talks by organisations and companies such as Oxfam Novib, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Google and the Rijksmuseum. At Campus The Hague, students could visit the job fair, get their CV checked and have a professional photo taken. And the Career Café on the last day was the chance for law and criminology students to talk to alumni about their work.
