At the time of writing, it is exactly ten years ago that I took my first steps into the student life of Tilburg. As a first-year student, I was immediately impressed by the dynamics of the introduction week. One thing that stood out was the fun the MAKkers had while organizing activities. Inspired by their enthusiasm, I applied to become a MAKker. Before I knew it, I was in the bar every Tuesday evening for the biweekly drinks!
Besides making friends and enjoying the activities, I quickly noticed MAK could provide a steep learning curve. I was assigned to a variety of committees. For instance, I had the opportunity to go out and find sponsors for a party at Poppodium 013. Quite boldly, we called companies to ask if they wanted to sponsor us. Even though we received dozens of rejections, we persistently kept calling until we finally got a “yes.” This experience taught me to approach external parties with more confidence.
After completing my first committees, I had the chance to lead a committee myself. This involves managing various personalities and keeping them somewhat in line. At MAK, we frequently used the DISC personality color test, a valuable tool that is also widely applied in the corporate world. Through this test, I learned to analyze both my own behavior and that of others and to anticipate accordingly. I still regularly apply these insights in my current job to adapt my communication towards other people.
After finishing my bachelor's degree, I enthusiastically applied for a board year at MAK. Without any relevant experience, you suddenly find yourself, along with three fellow students, at the management of an organization! It doesn’t matter whether you’re leading “just” 30 students or running a company with 100 employees; the challenges remains the same. For instance, you come across conflicting interest between the organization’s goals and those of stakeholders. Content-based arguments are not always decisive in such situations. Communication and convincing others is crucial if you want to win the discussion. It’s incredibly valuable to practice this with external parties during your student years rather than in your first job. It’s a great place to make mistakes and learn from them!
Recently, I changed jobs. I switch from Ecorys, an economic research firm, to ABN AMRO Bank, where I work as a sector analyst following developments in the agri & food sector. During the application processes for both roles, I was often able to draw on relevant experiences from MAK. Moreover, MAK provides a great network, enabling me to explore what I might enjoy doing. A quick call is easily made. That’s why it’s extra fun when the phone occasionally rings with MAKkers seeking advice about their first job.
If you’re doubting whether to do a board year or become active at MAK, I would definitely recommend it! It enriches your student life, creates lifelong friendships, and prepares you for professional life.
Jelmer
MAKker from 2015 – 2020