Twenty years, five roles, countless students guided on their way. Petra de Jong-Snelders looks back on a career that never stood still.
Stories
Where it all began
So here's a fun fact: I actually studied Toerisme Economisch, Uitgaand at what was then called NWIT, back when it was still located on the Sibeliuslaan. In 1983, I collected my degree and headed off into the world. Fast forward through a few detours and adventures, and on 1 September 2006 I joined the institute on the Mgr. Hopmansstraat – then still going by the name NHTV. I started in the planning department, crafting timetables for students and lecturers in FBTR (a Tourism sub-department). The best part? Some of the lecturers walking the halls were the same ones who had taught me back in the day. Suddenly, my former lecturers were my colleagues. Slightly surreal, but mostly delightful.
From timetables to student exchanges
After seven wonderful, action-packed years (FBTR ran on a new timetable every three weeks – never a dull moment), I was ready for a bit more student contact. I found that at the Student Office, where I spent three years organising student exchanges – helping students head off for a semester at a partner university abroad.
Guiding the next generation of creatives
Next stop: the Academy for Games & Media, where I worked at the front end of the process. Both Media and Games were enormously popular programmes – with far more applicants than places available – so I got to guide the selection process.
Back to the Sibeliuslaan – and a whole new world
Then, eight years ago, a vacancy came up at the Placement Office of Facility Management –back on the Sibeliuslaan, where it had all begun.
Facility Management was completely new territory for me, but with Wil Gooskens as my guide, I was quickly initiated into this fascinating world. It didn't take long to discover just how broad and captivating the field is! Marianne Korbijn was my direct colleague, and we made a great team: she thrives at networking events and acquisition visits like a fish in water, while I was happily in my element handling all the other aspects of organising placements and guiding students through the preparation phase as they searched for the right placement position abroad.
When the world turned upside down
Then came COVID, and the world turned upside down. From a facilities perspective, it was endlessly interesting – buildings had to be completely reconfigured: one-way routes, 1.5-metre distancing, screens between workstations. Working from home became the new normal. International placements were swapped for placements in the Netherlands, and we had to scramble to find entirely new contacts, since our network had been almost entirely abroad.
Time for a new chapter
Times change, and students change with them. And so it's time for me to take the next step – a new chapter. I'm going to join my husband, who already retired early earlier this year. Now, I'm looking forward to holidays outside of peak season. An underrated luxury, truly. I already have plenty going on alongside my paid work and am active in the volunteering world. And in the meantime, we've gained a grandson – who luckily lives nearby. So I'm not too worried about that dreaded ‘what do I do now?’ void.
Time flies when you're having fun. And it really does – because I can now look back on 20 years at NHTV/BUas. They absolutely flew by!
