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After a sidestep into teaching, Pieter Voogt was certain that he wanted to do something related to the environment. However, he was unable to find a place where he could gain work experience while studying part-time environmental engineering. 'Too inexperienced', he was told time and again. That was until he came into contact with Maandag®.
Five years ago, Pieter Voogt initially did a teacher training course, but it turned out to be the wrong choice. ‘The education system didn't suit me. I felt I was doing more administration than teaching. At a certain point, I’d lost interest.’ Pieter had enough of studying and started working as a production worker in a dairy factory. ‘They soon saw I had more to offer. I eventually progressed to assistant branch manager.’
Gain experience
Yet Pieter noticed that he did not get enough energy from his work. ‘In the factory, I missed the focus on the environment. That was something I was brought up with. I learned a lot about nature as a child during forest walks with my family. I wanted to do more with that interest.’ Pieter didn't quit his job in the factory but started a two-year part-time course in environmental studies alongside. There he immediately found his niche. ‘After the first academic year, I wanted to gain some work experience at an environmental department. Supervisors are scarce, yet every time I got the same standard rejection email. I still didn’t have enough experience. It was such a shame, because I wanted to be able to prove myself. After all, a CV and cover letter don't say it all.’
Collegial and enthusiastic team
Pieter did not give up and, this time, he got in touch with Maandag®. He applied for a position at the Friesland Environment Agency (FUMO). The positive stories he had heard about Maandag® proved to be true. ‘Here, I could tell my whole story, and they looked beyond my CV. The first meeting was really nice and relaxed from the start. Everyone at the branch was full of energy. I saw a collegial and enthusiastic team getting along well together. That made an impression on me.’ Due to the earlier rejections, Pieter had lost some of his confidence, but Maandag® recruiter Sabine and account manager Jolien were immediately enthusiastic. ‘They had every confidence in me. That really made me feel good. An hour after we had gone for an interview together at FUMO, they called me. They really wanted me! Afterwards, they also indicated that they should have just invited me after receiving my direct applications.’
Stepping stone
So that which failed with direct applications, Pieter managed to get via Maandag®: a job as a starting supervisor at the Friesland Environment Service. There, he checks agricultural companies for environmentally harmful activities. ‘A new course and a new job: it was a leap of faith and a bold move. I needed a stepping stone and Maandag® offered me that.’ Meanwhile, Pieter took several courses through Maandag®, including on the nitrogen approach and environmental reporting. He is increasingly able to link the theory he learns during his course with practice. ‘Now I really benefit from my studies, which I hope to complete this summer. I drive all over Friesland and have a lot of contact with farmers. As a result, I learn all about permits and the various environmental laws. Looking back, this has been an excellent choice. For a while, I thought that work didn’t necessarily have to be enjoyable, but that is exactly what is important. Thanks to Maandag®, I have much more energy and feel better about myself. I'm still very happy with this step.’
Would you also like to know what opportunities you have to do training and gain experience through Maandag®? Read all about the Maandag® Academy here. For all government vacancies in your region, check our vacancies. Want to know more about what Maandag® does? Read all about secondment.
Wil jij ook weten wat jouw mogelijkheden zijn voor opleiding en ervaring via Maandag®? Lees hier alles over de Maandag® Academy. Voor alle overheidsvacatures in jouw regio, check ons vacature aanbod. Meer weten over wat Maandag® precies doet? Lees alles over detachering.