Find a great job because of your contact with Zuyd

Finding a great job. It’s one of the many advantages of staying in touch with Zuyd after you graduate. And, of course, it’s fun too. We talked with former students Joyce America and David Hermans about the many benefits of staying in touch.

Text Judith Houben Photo Johannes Timmermans

‘There might come a day when your employer is looking for interns or students to help them with a big project. If that’s the case, then you’ll be the right person to help your boss get in contact with students and their knowledge and new insights. Just because you’re still in contact with the people on your study programme’, says Joyce America. She’s a former student herself and knows better than anyone that such contact offers many more advantages once you have graduated.

In 2016, Joyce got her master’s degree in Facility Management. After some wandering around, she now works for the study programme. At the External Relations Office, to be precise. She is responsible for maintaining contact between the programme and companies. This includes keeping in touch with former students. And she isn’t the only one who’s gone back to her roots. If you browse through the list of personnel at Zuyd, you’ll notice that a lot of our employees once strolled through the Zuyd buildings themselves.

However, those who don’t end up on Zuyd’s payroll, can still come to the school. Joyce: ‘They can give a guest lecture, for example. This will also benefit the students. It’s a matter of give and take. Sharing knowledge and gaining it yourself.’ A good example of this is the story of David Hermans. From 2017 until 2021, he followed the part-time programme Facility Management (FM). He now works for Moonen Group of Companies. He is a supervisor for third-year FM interns like Jeroen. David: ‘Jeroen developed a tender for an Enterprise Asset Management system for us. The company later benefits from the energy I’m investing in Jeroen. This results in a winwin situation for everyone. Companies have a certain responsibility towards higher education anyway. After all, today’s students are tomorrow's workforce’, says David.

Now nearing graduation, David also assisted as a student coach during some information days for second-year students. ‘During these days, we helped students under the motto “Geef kleur aan je studie” (Add depth to your studies)’, Joyce adds. ‘The goal was to help students find their passion within the field of Facility Management.’ That almost inseparable connection between your work and studies is and always will be something that gives you energy. Similarly, David was team manager Guest Relations at health care institution Envida. ‘As a coach and part-time student, I guided a group of students. This means my work experience as a team manager at Envida was very useful.’

So don't lose contact, or if you do, do not hesitate to get back in touch with Zuyd. This applies to former students of Hogeschool Heerlen (Heerlen University of Applied Sciences), Hogeschool Limburg (University of Applied Sciences Limburg), the HEAO (Institute for Business Administration and Economics), the Vroedvrouwenschool (Catholic Nursery School for Midwives) and other former Zuyd institutions. Privacy legislation makes it difficult for Zuyd to contact former students. Facility Management still hopes to meet former students now and again during its themed meetings and workshops.. Joyce: ‘This immediately allows you to brush up on your own knowledge. Or you might encounter a great vacancy via our network of former students. Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to meet fellow alumni.’

We’ll list all the benefits of keeping in touch with Zuyd for you once again:

• You’ll find more great vacancies. For example, via the LinkedIn page of your study programme. Take a look at www.zuyd.nl.

• You’ll be able to gain more knowledge via Zuyd’s interns.

• You’ll be able to expand your network.

• You’ll stay well-informed about relevant developments for both companies and alumni. You can do so by subscribing to the digital newsletter at www.careerservices.nl.