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Track: Energy & Recourses

Current position: Co-Founder & Project Manager of Plantje Voor Morgen 

Can you briefly tell us what you studied (including your specialisation) and when you graduated?

I enrolled to the Bachelor's of Global Sustainability Science, and took the track ‘Energy & Recourses’, however my courses were very varied. My main interest is in agroecology and I wrote my thesis about ecovillage communities. I graduated in March 2024.

How has your study influenced your career path, and what role has it played in your professional development?

Before my Bachelor's I already had a great passion for sustainability, and Global Sustainability Science only enhanced this passion. By developing my background in sustainability, I was able to contribute to projects and work that required this knowledge. Through Global Sustainability Science, I came in contact with a lot of cool organizations and also started my own foundation, Plantje voor Morgen () where we make prisons more green and sustainable. Over the years, we grew a lot as an organization and studying Global Sustainability Science definitely helped during the process.

Could you provide an example of a specific project or experience during your studies that significantly contributed to your growth and success in your current career?

During the consultancy project, I was working together with another start-up organisation, learning about how to assess sustainability impacts. This year I joined the consultancy project once again, but this time not as a student, but as a client with Plantje voor Morgen. This was a very useful and awesome project that I could not have done without this Bachelor’s programme.

What were the key skills or knowledge you gained during your studies, and how do you apply them in your work now?

In Global Sustainability Science, systemic thinking is really important, meaning to not only look at one cause or consequence but seeing how a lot of factors can influence a problem, while influencing each other as well. This is very useful in my work now, where we work on how ‘social sustainability’ is connected to re-integration of prisoners, which is a very complex system. It’s very useful to have the skills to understand a way of thinking where you can have an overview and come up with practical solutions. Additionally, I do use my knowledge about system earth and agroecology when looking into the sustainable food transitions. I also work in a plant based restaurant where I have a deeper understanding of the food I make due to things I learned in this Bachelor’s. And also worth mentioning are the English writing skills that come with all the assignments for the courses.

How were you able to differentiate yourself in the job market thanks to your education at our university?

Honestly, I don’t think I differentiated myself due to an education, neither do I see myself as a part of ‘the job market’. I found that it is mostly your passion and motivation that really makes you stand out. I feel from deep within that I must make a positive change within sustainability, and I want to invest my time and energy intrinsically to inspire others with this. If you work hard enough and how this, you’ll find your place in the world to contribute.

Do you have any specific memories of teachers, courses, or extracurricular activities that left a lasting impression on you?

A specific course that really impressed me was the course ‘Agroecology’, given by Dr. Heitor Mancini Teixeira. The experience of the learning environment built by Dr. Heitor Mancini Teixeira and the wonderful team was very different from 'traditional' educational approaches, and it was such a unique and creative experience. Here, learning was not only absorbing theoretical information but actually getting our hands dirty. Honestly, I don't even know how we were able to do so many different things and visit so many agroecological experiences in the time period we had, and I learned so much every week.

In addition, I feel a lot of gratitude for our amazing study advisor, Pieter Louwman, who supported me in difficult and stressful times, and after that kept in touch with me regularly, out of interest and compassion. I felt really seen as a person by him, and therefore I feel really thankful.

Can you share a moment when you encountered challenges during your studies and how you dealt with them?

One of the biggest challenges is that you are confronted with the climate crisis every day and it can cause eco-anxiety. Knowledge can sometimes be a curse when knowing about all the things we have to change as humankind but the changes are going slowly. For me, it helped to integrate sustainability into my personal life, and focus on projects that are making a positive impact. This means not only in my personal choices (being vegan, buying local, fighting food waste, not taking the plane, etc.), but also contributing to amazing social sustainable organisations such as Grounded, NJR, Groentetas, the agroecological network, etc.

How has your study at our university contributed to your personal growth and development, alongside your professional success?

My 3,5 years studying at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ also meant 3,5 years of living in the beautiful city of Utrecht and living in student houses. This time has been super memorable for me. The people I met during Global Sustainability Science are amazing and I made friends for life. I’ve been on so many cool trips and gained so many new experiences that really formed me to the person I am now, which I am pretty happy with. I felt that my personal development over these years was insane and I am starting to get closer and closer to my core self. The amazing network of people that all feel passionate about sustainability motivates me every day to make a change and this has had a super positive influence on me in my daily life. Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ also encourages students to do many activities next to their studies which allowed me to grow not only professionally, but also personally a lot, and that will help me for the rest of my life.

Would you recommend other prospective students to pursue the same programme? 

If you’re doubting whether to study Global Sustainability Sciences, stop now! Just do it. The world needs you! I would absolutely recommend this Bachelor's since it is a super relevant topic and there are many topics you can focus on. You gain an interdisciplinary view on sustainability challenges, allowing you to work together with a lot of different people and in a lot of different fields. Working in sustainability feels very useful since we are facing a serious climate crisis right now. So let’s go!

What advice would you like to give to current students?

Don’t let the eco-anxiety get you, don’t lose hope, try not to come in a state of mind where it feels like it doesn’t make sense to try. Stay true to yourself and your own values. There are many positive changes going on, and you can contribute to these indefinitely. You can even start something yourself. Just go for it! If you have a strong motivation to make an impact, stay with it and don’t let them tell you anything else.