Evoke

ENGINEER TIES: ABOUT LIFE AFTER M.E.

“I knew we wouldn’t have a hard time finding a job after my studies, but that it took only four days after graduating, was something I didn’t expect either.” This was the case for Ties, alumnus of Simon Stevin and now a Designer/Constructor for agricultural machines at KUHN Geldrop. Read all about how he got there and what his working days look like now (probably not what you would expect!).

Ties van Loon (25) is someone who doesn’t get bored easily. Not even during lockdown. “I can keep myself busy so well, we could write an article on that alone.” When he isn’t making music with his band Maassa (alternative hardrock) as a guitarist, or keeping busy with one of his other hobbies, he is working as a Designer/Constructor of agricultural machines, such as balers. A job that teaches him new things every day, even after his Bachelors, Masters and almost a year of work experience. Because the real work is quite a bit different than the theory of our study, he discovered…

Got a job, no diploma

Ties works at KUHN, an international firm specialized in agro, specifically in making machines for agriculture. He got there at the end of last year through recruitment agency Evoke, just after having graduated.

Ties: “To be honest, I had never heard of KUHN, until Luuk from Evoke called me that a job opened up for which I would be a great fit. I was still in the middle of my final thesis – literally, while I was typing, I got the phone call – and didn’t really have time for it. But my curious attitude won over my shortage of time, so I went on a first, second, and finally third interview. We struck a good match from both sides and four days later, the contract was signed.

“I knew we wouldn’t have a hard time finding a job after our studies, but that it took only four days after graduating, was something I didn’t expect either.” And to end up in such a nice company... Without Evoke this would not have happened.”

He was pretty happy things went this way, Ties admits, because he could then hand in his final thesis, graduate and celebrate a carefree holiday, knowing that a job was waiting for him.

“The machine I made, is on that field right now”

So now Ties is a Designer/Constructor for KUHN for almost a year. The best part about his job in Ties’ opinion is the fact that the machines he makes (with a.o. FEM calculations) and draws (in his 3D CAD program ‘Creo’) become reality right under his nose.

Right next to the R&D facility he works in, is the workshop where the machines are made. Ties: “To be walking into that workshop and see what you designed on your screen stand before you sky high, that is extra impressive. That is why I like the rawness of it; the big machines that we are working on. There is a lot of work to be found in the high-tech in Eindhoven for example, but with this raw technology you can literally see what you are working on. On that farmer’s field I can literally see something that I made, drive around and doing the work. That is pretty special.”

What you don’t learn in ME

What you learn during your studies ME is completely fine, Ties says. But there are aspects that you simply cannot learn in your books. The kind of things that only the real world can show you, in his experience.

Ties: “You learn a lot about calculations and constructions and you learn to describe physical processes. But generating a practical design does not come up a lot. These are the type of things you have to learn after graduating.

Like keeping in mind the amount of stock you have when you are deciding which parts should be included in your design. You could theoretically be using golden bolts and nuts, but is that cost efficient, is something that you must think of. Does it deliver what you expect of it to the customer, without negatively influencing the costs?” So in your job you will deal with thinking in a commercial sense, from the perspective of the client. How you do that exactly depends on your function, the market, the company and the client. Luckily you are not alone in this as a starter. There are always colleagues to help you think and help you learn. At least in Ties’ case.

“For one project, for example, I had to improve bearings. I went to work with a calculation based on the best bearings. This type of bearing turned out to be fairly rare. This makes it more expensive or harder to ship to us. Someone for Sales then comes by to see if we can think of something different. Something more efficient. Together we found a good solution.”

Thé tip from Ties to you

If he had to give students or colleagues one tip, from his insight in the job, now that he is a starting professional in Mechanical Engineering? Ties: “Follow your interests into the real world, so that you not only stay at the theoretical side of your studies, but experience everything, to make your career choice on that.” But how do you do this? Ties has a few ways, all possible during your study, as he experienced himself: • “There is for example the Wervingsdagen on the TU/e, an expo of companies from the region. Go there.” • “But also go to companies on your own. Go talk to them, go see what you can do there and if you see yourself working

there.” • “Or go for a side-job in technology, instead of working in a supermarket. I have worked one day a week next to my masters. That is where you really learn the difference between your study and the real world. Maybe you are able to stay and grow there, maybe you’ll see that you fit better elsewhere.” • “Take part in a student team. I made a care-robot drone this way. This brought us in direct contact with businesses.

That enlarged my technical knowledge, but also my personal development and professional network.” • “By doing research, you also learn a lot aside from your study. In an empty quartile I helped a doctoral candidate with a test setup in the lab. Very educational!” Well, boredom indeed is not written in Ties’ vocabulary. That much is clear. As enthusiastic and busy as he is, he now found exactly the job he likes and does what he loves to do.

Are you also looking to learn more about the workfield, to take a peak into your future and prepare to do what you love? Evoke can help you out, like they helped Ties out. Sounds good? Check them out at www.evokedetachering.nl/mechanical