The new board of MAK was installed 3 months ago. Today, we’re speaking with them about their responsibilities as a board member, the reason they chose for a board year at MAK and their experiences so far. Let’s first start by introducing them:
Hi everyone, I’m Puk, the Chairman at MAK. I’ve finished my Bachelor’s in International Business Administration and after 2.5 years of being an active member at MAK, I applied for a board year! My role includes shaping MAK’s policy, managing external contacts, and overseeing internal board matters.
Hi, I’m Kito, the Vice-Chairman. This makes me responsible for the TiSEM Introduction Day, the GROW program and internal social cohesion. Nearing the end of my bachelor’s in International Business Administration, I wanted to experience more of student life before starting my Master’s. After always enjoying my time at MAK since joining in May 2023, I applied for a board year!
Hi, I’m Lisa, the Educational & Marketing Affairs at MAK. After completing my Bachelor’s in Business Economics and being active at MAK for 2 years, I applied for a board year! I’m responsible for organizing all MAK’s tutorships, helping future students explore studying in Tilburg, and working on MAK’s marketing plan.
Hi everyone, I’m Luka, the Treasurer at MAK. After finishing my Bachelor’s in Business Economics and joining MAK in February 2024, I took on this role! I manage the association’s finances, including partner relations, budgeting, and making financial statements.
Why did you decide to do a board year?
For Luka, deciding to do a board year was a thoughtful choice. “I wanted to take a bit more time with my studies”, she shares. “I considered doing an internship but realized I’d learn even more from a board year. I was already having a good time at MAK and noticed how much I was gaining from being active in committees. That’s why a board year felt like the perfect next step.”
Lisa had known for some time already that she wanted to do a board year at MAK. “I think such a year is very valuable, because you can learn a lot from the freedom you have in making your own decisions, with enough room to learn from your mistakes”, she explains. “On top of this, I admire everyone’s effort to make MAK such a great organization. Because of this, I wanted to contribute to it even more by doing a board year. Plus, it’s just a really fun and social group!”
What do you like the most about a board year?
“I enjoy opportunities you don’t usually get at the start of your professional career”, Puk shares. “It’s a great experience to write your own policies and see MAK behind the scenes. Plus, dedicating myself full-time to MAK while spending time with fellow board members and MAKkers is so rewarding.” Luka agrees: “It’s so much fun spending every day in the MAK room with the board and MAKkers”, she says. Additionally, another benefit that all four board members highlighted is the chance to collaborate with the university, which is something unique to being a board member at MAK.
What skills have you already developed in the past months?
Puk says that she has developed her creativity when coming up with new ideas for the policy of MAK. Furthermore, balancing work and life has been a big learning curve, as well as thinking at a more strategic level and prioritizing tasks effectively.
Kito has also made progress in several skills. “I’ve become better at planning and working in a structured way. I’ve also improved in working professionally with external parties. Within MAK, it has been a valuable experience to coordinate committees and lead a group.”
What are the biggest challenges you face as a board?
Kito points out that one of the toughest aspects is handling unexpected changes. “Adapting to sudden shifts and finding solutions on the spot can be challenging,” he explains. Lisa agrees with this: “Part of this challenge is being dependent on external parties, so you have to take that into account when making your planning. You should always be flexible.”
What advice do you have for future board members?
Luka’s advice is all about the learning process: “Feel free to make mistakes. Try a lot of different things and keep an eye on your goals to get the most out of your year.” Lisa agrees with this: “Take on as many new tasks as possible. Use the time to do what you really want. Don’t get stuck in the daily routine and look for new challenges. And, most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the year!”
If you’re interested in doing a board year at MAK after reading this, don’t hesitate to contact us at makboard@uvt.nl!