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I grew up in Schoonhoven, not in The Hague. From my perspective, I was literally far away from politics." The fact that Eva Oosters would end up in the position of alderman in Utrecht is something she did not necessarily believe during her high school years. Even though she was already interested in politics back then too. Themes such as the loan system for students, the housing shortage and the climate crisis formed a reason for her to travel to the Malieveld as a pupil. And to already enter the municipal council as a student. Now, in her second year as an alderman, she looks back. And she concludes with a golden tip for everyone currently graduating and orienting at the job market.

Eva enrolled in 2015 in Utrecht Law College (former name: ‘School of Law’) at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��. She combined that degree programme with the History degree programme from 2017 onwards. In the Master’s degree programme ‘Law and Politics of International Security’ at VU Amsterdam, she then found the ultimate combination of her favourite fields of expertise. She graduated in 2022. 

Two degree programmes at the same time: no doubt this requires quite some energy. And studying was not even the only thing Eva did in that period. In March 2018, she started as a municipal council member in Utrecht. How did she – as a student at the time - come to take that step?

“I was hooked immediately.”

“In that period, I followed the seminar group Constitutional Law. Part of that seminar group was a visit to the municipal council. You could follow them for a day, participate in a ‘mock municipal council’, you were assigned to a political group. I was assigned to the group of Student & Starter, a party for young Utrechters. And I met real group members of that party, like Tim Homan. I remember he made a passionate plea about how they would take on the malpractices in the housing market in Utrecht as a party with one seat. I was hooked immediately.” 

A real eureka moment. “I suddenly saw very clearly that it is possible to do something yourself as a youngster. Not just going to demonstrations, but making sure you have a seat at the table during important decisions and can have a say.” Eva joined Student & Starter. A party which was founded in 2013, and entered the municipal council with two seats in 2018 - one of which was for Eva.

I wrote my Master’s thesis in Albania, in the back of a van

In 2021, she was still hard at work on her Master’s degree. And then, the option to join the new Utrecht coalition arrived. An opportunity she could not pass up on. Eva became a candidate for an alderman
position. In June 2022, she was inaugurated.

“I hadn’t even finished my Master’s thesis yet! I eventually wrote it on vacation in Albania. Bumping up and down in the back of a van. What can I say, I have a partner too, and friends who want to see me every once in a while. So I had to do it that way.” It all turned out well at the last moment. Fortunately! Because Eva’s need to contribute to societal value is big. “As a high school pupil, I worked as an actress for a while; some of my appearances were in the youth series VRijland, and the cop series Flikken Maastricht. When I turned 18, I had to choose: auditioning for theatre schools, or studying at the university. I went for the second option. My motivation is serious: being able to make a societal contribution.” To which she does want to add that art also makes a big contribution to society. “It’s not one or the other.” It is an additional perk that she now has the theme of ‘culture’ in her portfolio as an alderman.

Basketball-playing alderman

Rest has not exactly returned to Eva’s life. She estimates that she works more than 50 hours per week, including evening and weekend activities. These are part of the portfolio she has as an alderman; besides ‘culture’, she is responsible for the theme ‘events’ in Utrecht. So do not be surprised if you see her basketball along during the opening of a new sports centre. Or speeching at an anniversary in
Tivoli Vredenburg. Eva speaks about her work with energy and enthusiasm. She does not seem to be bothered by the rush that much. “You hit the ground running. But: that’s what you signed up for. I see this job as top-level sports. You have to eat well, exercise sufficiently. Not drink too much during the weekdays. My sleep is sacred. And being surrounded by sweet people, that also helps a lot.”

From a plan on paper to the real world 

“A theme which gave me much energy recently is the Utrecht night culture. Many Utrechters have opinions on that. I entered into conversation with organisations and residents on that earlier. The ideas from back then are now being implemented. So it’s progressing from a plan on paper to the real world.” 

What else is she busy with these days? “We’re hard at work to start up a new way of celebrating New Year. From the so-called Burgerberaad, advice on this was given in March of this year. And in April, the municipal council has adopted these advices in a council meeting. So we can get to work!”

Don’t be stunned by all possible choices out there. Try something.

Daring to go in the other direction. 

Two years into her term as alderman, Eva reflects on her biggest learning: “Starting at 25, I initially tried to blend in, adapting to how others worked. Maybe also: play something that’s not fully you. By now, I’ve become stronger in trusting my own intuition. Staying true to yourself is always best.” She adds, “My job is essentially about making decisions — many each day. You receive advice from all directions, but ultimately, you have to rely on your own judgment.”

“You can’t prepare for such a job, no matter how old you are.”

At her inauguration, Eva got quite some questions about her age. Twenty-five, and already such a position of responsibility in politics! “But age is not the entire story. You can’t prepare for such a job anyway, no matter how old you are. There’s no specific education for it. And you face all kinds of things you couldn’t have foreseen. I did expect this would be a busy job, but you simply can’t prepare for it.”

Eva’s advice for graduates and job seekers: “Take your time. Focus on what you want to spend your time on and what energizes you. Don’t be stunned by all the possible choices out there. Make decisions, even small ones, and just try something. Sometimes, taking the leap will show you can stay afloat more often than you’d expect.”

This article was written by Charlotte van Hout and translated by Wouter Beentjes. It was published in the 2024 Graduation Special of Illuster. Photos were taken by Mark David.