Read Laura’s story

With a bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics and a pre-master’s in Health Sciences, I was already working as a dietitian, but wanted to expand my expertise. When I chose this master’s program, my primary goal was to become a better dietitian, and I’m proud to say I’ve achieved that!

Since graduating from the master’s Health, Ageing and Society, I've been working in the geriatrics department alongside my roles in other departments. While I had experience working with older adults before, my current role allows me to focus exclusively on this population. My enhanced understanding of the biological and social aspects of ageing has deepened my perspective. Now, I approach my work more holistically—I don’t just provide dietary advice; I collaborate with my patients to discover practical tools and strategies that improve their daily lives and overall quality of life. For instance, I now consider practical aspects like grocery shopping and cooking, which I used to focus on less. I’ve started seeing the broader, more holistic picture.

Experiences during the study

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your HAS studies helped you most during your career? 

A: In geriatric medicine, it's particularly crucial to consider all aspects of care. So, I believe that looking beyond medical matters, which is emphasized in this study, has brought me a lot.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have been memorable to you?

A: I really enjoyed the course "The Older Individual." The overarching theme for the projects was loneliness and its impact on older people. We gained insights from various perspectives by engaging in discussions with both teachers and older individuals. While this theme changes each year, for me, it was something I wanted to delve deeper into. During my bachelor's in medicine and part-time jobs in healthcare, I didn't fully grasp the extent of loneliness's impact on biological ageing processes and how it emphasizes the importance of prevention. It goes beyond just a healthy lifestyle; the social aspect is equally crucial.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: For me, it was easier because I already had a clear path from my bachelor in medicine. That path led to working in a nursing home. It was evident to me that I wanted to work with the elderly. After completing this study, my direction became even clearer. I didn't want to work in the hospital; I wanted to work with the elderly at home and with this group before they enter the hospital.

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: In essence, you function as a kind of general practitioner for the older individuals residing in the nursing home. So, I provide long-term care similar to what a GP does. However, I am also heavily involved in proactive care planning, addressing questions such as: What are someone's desires? What treatments and diagnostics are still appropriate, and which are not? And what does someone want in that final stage of life? How do they want to shape their remaining time? Yes, and every day looks different, really. Some days are consumed by tending to the illness of residents, while on other days, I engage in conversations with the residents or their representatives about how things are going.

Q: How did you get acquainted with this job and how did you start doing this?

A:  I am currently in training to become a specialist in geriatric medicine. After graduating in December 2021, I started working as a doctor in a nursing home. Since then, I have essentially stayed on and began my specialized training in September. I've noticed that from the medical school, you learn a lot about the medical aspect. After that, I consistently worked at the same nursing homes but in different locations. I started on a Delirium Recovery Unit and then moved to a unit for younger individuals with dementia, which had more of a psychiatric background. Now, I am working in a regular dementia unit.

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: I really enjoy it. I find it quite honorable to be able to provide meaningful guidance to someone in the final stage of their life. I recognize that people are in a very vulnerable situation, and I realize that I play a significant role in that context

I would definitely recommend choosing this profession. If you find the elderly population interesting, look beyond the hospital setting because there is so much to explore. It can be effectively combined with what you learn at HAS. Especially as a specialist in geriatric medicine, it's a relatively young profession. In the past, it was known as a nursing home physician. Now, it has evolved into the role of a specialist in geriatric medicine, often extending beyond the nursing home environment. You get involved in various activities, addressing significant challenges within the healthcare landscape. It's beneficial to have a background in understanding the healthcare system, the functioning of laws, and how to navigate the complexities of making changes within such a system.

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: I didn't expect to gain so much from it. I have acquired quite a few soft skills. You learn how to present yourself effectively. I was also part of the yearly representation as a member of GOES, where I presented feedback on all courses. It teaches you a lot about giving constructive feedback. There's, for example, a course on negotiation and recurring debates, which I really appreciated in this study.

Q: Do you see direct applications of what you have learned during your studies into your current job activities? 

A: Giving feedback, I know I can handle it quite well, which is reassuring. It's good to be aware of that. I think that's one of the most crucial aspects because you are continuously, even unconsciously, providing feedback.

In addition, the education is not solely focused on medical aspects but also extends to the broader context. In the policy block, you learn about all the financial aspects and how laws operate. It's very beneficial that I already know how all of that works because it's important to understand. It's crucial to incorporate this knowledge into the education of medical students. During my training, there was a block on ethics and healthcare management in the bachelor's program. It was a combination of these elements, but it was somewhat brief. At that time, if you weren't working in the hospital or healthcare system, it might seem less relevant, so it didn't stick as much. Now, it's valuable to me to know how I am paid. 

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: I think I would still be in training or would go into training, but in a completely different way. I now have a clearer understanding of why I want it, and that makes it easier.

Experiences during the study

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your HAS studies helped you most during your career? 

A: Overall, I thought it was valuable that the programme was quite broad regarding biology of ageing, analyzing the older individual and studying policy. This allowed me to understand the elderly and elderly care from multiple angles within my clinical perspective.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have been memorable to you?

A: What I didn’t expect, but what I did enjoy doing was writing a policy paper on giving advice to come up with elderly care initiatives. In our case, we wrote about the implementation of care farming within elderly care. When it comes to teachers, I cooperated well with Carla Bakker, since she really thinks with you about what suits you as a student when it comes to orientation to the job market. I found this very valuable, especially in such a broad, multidisciplinary master.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: It went quite smoothly for me. I ended up here from writing my thesis during my internship.

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: I work at the Alzheimer’s center of the Amsterdam UMC as a neuropsychologist at the memory outpatient clinic and as a PhD student. I combine clinical work with research. I see patients at the clinic and, together with my colleagues, we obtain second or third opinions regarding dementia diagnoses to come up with diagnoses. We also perform neuropsychological tests on patients with dementia.

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: I really enjoy it! Because we are an academic hospital, we get quite complex cases. Although I contribute little to the diagnosis, I feel like I am contributing well enough. It is satisfying to deliver my care as a clinical neuropsychologist, especially because we are also dealing with younger patients. 

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: The programme invests quite some time in teaching relevant skills that are useful in several occupations. These include public speaking and giving supporting arguments for given statements during presentations and debates. 

Q: Do you see direct applications of what you have learned during your studies into your current job activities? 

A: I do! At the Alzheimer’s center we also focus on prevention. This is what HAS has also paid attention to. Furthermore, we were taught communication skills which can be applied in the clinic.

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: For sure. I think that the HAS programme contributed to know more about what is relevant for elderly and older people with dementia. During my clinical psychology master’s, I only had two specific theoretical courses and then internships, so I missed the broader perspective. HAS also prepared me to be societally and partially clinically prepared for the ‘’grey wave’’ the Netherlands is facing.

Experiences during the study

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your HAS studies helped you most during your career? 

A: Reading scientific articles critically during, especially the course Biology of Vitality and Ageing, helped me a lot. When I started my PhD programme, I felt like I was well prepared when I had to continue reading a lot of articles and to stay critical regarding reading all those papers. Also, the soft skills that are taught to you, like problem-solving skills and communication on various health related topics, have led me to grow personally and in my field of work.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have been memorable to you?

A: For sure! During the course the Older Individual, I was intrigued by developing our own innovation and with everything that was encompassed in that process, like thinking of stakeholders who could be relevant to our innovation. It was a very different assignment from what I was used to doing during my bachelor’s (Biomedical Sciences), because it is more directly societally relevant. 

During the course Organisation of the Ageing Society, Tony Poot was memorable to me. He is a GP and is involved in training new GP’s and he was able to explain and translate phenomena seen in his practice quite clearly to the classroom. GP’s are namely a focal point in the organisation of healthcare, because they are often the initial point of contact for patients. He was also able to critically discuss current health policy related to elderly care and I appreciated that perspective. 

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: It went very smoothly. I first started working as a junior lecturer for the HAS, back then V&A, programme. After that, I was told that there was a PhD position open at the geriatrics department and I started enrolling into that. So, I felt like I was guided properly in making steps at the start of my career. 

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: I am a policy researcher at health insurer Zorg en Zekerheid where I do research at the material quality control department. In this department, we make sure that all the healthcare costs that are made have been made accordingly. I do this by analyzing big datasets of declarations made by healthcare providers. At times, when we notice that these costs haven’t been made accordingly, it is our responsibility to ask the healthcare provider to explain why he or she has made that declaration. 

Q: How did you get acquainted with this job and how did you start doing this?

A: During my PhD programme I really liked doing research. However, I did not want to continue in the field because of some of the things that I feel like are part of the postdoc research world, like working hard enough under pressure of getting funds or long days at the office/lab. I also felt like I didn’t want to work in the academic world my whole life. So, I searched for a vacancy where I could do research, but with the purpose of playing a role in society more directly. My PhD supervisor Raymond Noordam helped me in this search and eventually appointed me to my current position at Zorg en Zekerheid. It’s nice to see that staff really thinks with you in your future career opportunities!

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: As fun! What is very important in work are your colleagues and these are great where I work. Also, the work that I do is relevant and topical: healthcare costs are continuing to rise and I am glad that I can make an impact on regulating it 

Q: Would you recommend current HAS students working in this field of work and why?   

A: I would, but it depends on your academic journey towards the point of working there and the research skills that you have gained up until that moment. Imagining being fresh off the boat after your HAS studies, then I would prepare a bit more related to doing research. I think HAS gives you valuable quantitative research skills, but working as a data analyst with so much more data gives more of an intense workload than I experienced during my studies.

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: I would say that I’ve had much time to talk to the staff to orient myself in the job market. Staff guided me in why or why not I should do a PhD. You’re not alone in finding what will or won’t suit you after your studies! Again, everyone is open to talk to you for future careers, whether it’s enrolling into a PhD trajectory or if you want to be more involved in policy. 

Q: Do you see direct applications of what you have learned during your studies into your current job activities? 

A: Yes, mainly because it’s such a broad study. Even though I do research on policy and data sets, I feel like I am able to talk to policy makers about different kinds of laws as well. We have learned about this during the course Organisation of the Ageing Society. It has given me a proper backbone to be engaged in all kinds of discussions with colleagues from other departments for example.

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: Absolutely! If I would compare myself if I would have chosen the master’s of Biomedical Sciences and not HAS, then I think I wouldn’t have found myself in this position. My current position is research on policy, so I am involved in both research and policy, which have both been focal points during my studies. It’s not only about research, but what impact we can have on society and how we can potentially shift policy.

Experiences during the master

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your HAS studies helped you most during your career?

A: The biggest experience was the orientation visit to ActiZ. Firstly, because it resonated with me regarding policy and politics. As politics is one of my interests and I follow the news about care and international relations closely. My colleague told me then about what role ActiZ has in the political spectrum and what lobbying is, and that made me enthusiastic. Furthermore, there were two alumni who were also lecturers in the master’s program, who told me how fun it is to work at ActiZ. So, they gave me more insight into the agenda of this organization. Regarding learning moments, the last block, OAS, was the most fun to me, as I like policy and organization the most. You learn there about things that I am currently involved in. So foremost, the different acts (like the Social Support Act and Long-term Care Act), I come across these a lot in my work. I liked learning about those and taking them into consideration in different contexts and assignments that we discussed in the working groups.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have been memorable to you?

A: During OAS we had to apply a part of the Dutch healthcare system to another country’s healthcare system. And I remember that I applied the Social Support Act to the Japanese healthcare system. That made me think about how another country organizes things differently, but despite these differences, an act like the Social Support Act can improve the system. And during this assignment, you think about what consequences this act can have. That was a nice assignment that taught me how policy works. Another thing, during BVA, the presentations were something that I had to get used to, as during 6–7 weeks you had to present each week together with a group. BVA wasn’t really a subject that appealed to me, I must say. But you really had to present every week, so it took some adjusting. That stuck with me too.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: Very well. Because quite a few important things were covered during the program: creative thinking in policy. Talking about things from a policy perspective, so the different acts and of course the orientation visits to ActiZ itself. That was nice to experience. Also, at the end, someone from the master’s forwarded me a vacancy at ActiZ. I remember that back then I was rejected for a position at the municipality because I wanted to become a civil servant. And that was at the municipality of Leiden, where we also had an orientation visit. And when I got that vacancy from ActiZ, I felt it was written for me and it would be so amazing if it worked out. I put all my focus into it and did research to prepare for the application because otherwise, I don't think I would have come across it. So, the master literally helped me get this job.

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: Quite broad actually. I’m a Junior Policy Advisor at ActiZ, and junior means that you’re just starting out as a young professional. It’s also a learning-work program, so you learn a lot substantively about the sector of VVT (nursing and care), but also about your professional skills and abilities. How do you interact with members, how do you network, how can you best use supervision, how do you write policy documents and memos? So that’s basically what you learn during a two-year program.

In terms of content, I work on various dossiers that are related to the interests of elderly care. ActiZ is a trade association for different elderly care organizations such as Pieter van Foreest or Florence. They’re all members of our association, especially the executives of those organizations, because we are also an employers' association. So we don’t just represent the interests of the care organizations themselves, but also those of their executives. That can be a different perspective. We’re also involved in lobbying, mainly parliamentary lobbying, so if certain things happen in The Hague—like recently 160 million was cut from training in district nursing—we try to form a strong front and see how we can ensure that the voices of our employers are heard and how we can incorporate their input into future plans such as the Elderly Care Framework Agreement and other developments in elderly care.

ActiZ is definitely represented in that, and that’s great, because the Netherlands really has a polder model, which means that the government relies heavily on field parties. So they cannot do it all by themselves. So, they also really ask us to provide input. So we really try to make the voice of the executives heard. One example of this is that we try to improve access to nursing homes, so that care for the most vulnerable remains accessible. That’s the kind of thing our lobbying is focused on. Aside from that, I am also a project assistant for a European project, the "Care for Skills" project, which focuses on training and future-proofing care workers in Europe, and that’s very cool. And just yesterday, I returned from an international meeting in Athens, so I get the chance to contribute and give input in various ways.

Impact

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: A lot in terms of soft skills. So presenting, coming across as convincing, but also the flexibility you need. Being able to hold your own everywhere. The debates—even when they weren’t about topics you liked—it’s still good to be decisive and firm about topics you have to defend. Also, because the master is in an international environment, it’s funny and interesting to see how others work, how their healthcare systems function, and to incorporate that into various projects. Like I said at the beginning, during BVA all those presentations took some adjusting to get into that mindset. I genuinely thought it was great that so much attention was paid to the job market. The career opportunities, where you might end up—that was really helpful orientation. Also, whether or not you end up working somewhere, you also learn what role those organizations play in the overall system. For example, the municipality—I wasn’t ultimately hired, but I do know what their role is in the social domain, like the Social Support Act and how they organize that regionally. I already talked about ActiZ, but I also visited elderly care organizations themselves. You immediately know what your options are in the system if you want to move forward. The impact was very strong in terms of content, but everything around it was also very valuable.

Q: Do you see direct applications of what you have learned during your studies into your current job?

A: In the learning-work trajectory, we also went to a training agency where you further develop your soft skills, and I didn’t score too low on certain things I had already trained during the master. Like decisiveness or taking a position. But I think those scores would have been lower if I hadn’t learned those things during the master. Because I was also a chairperson of a student organization and I had other leadership roles, and I often try to find a middle ground and form a collective position. But it’s sometimes necessary to take a stand yourself and explain why that’s better for a certain situation. In addition, I sometimes have to present for work—for example, in a few weeks I have to present a key insights analysis and quality images to the executives in our core groups. Having had to stand in front of groups so often during the master helps me now to do that a bit more calmly in front of directors.

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: Someone from the master, like I mentioned earlier, sent me this vacancy at ActiZ and I applied to it. The first round of the selection process was just your resume and your motivation letter, and I highlighted what ActiZ is and how my competencies aligned with theirs. I also emphasized that I want to learn, because ActiZ finds it important in their junior program that someone has high potential. My experience in elderly care also helped, because I worked as a general practitioner’s supporter and did a board year for a student association. So I made it to the second round. During the interview I also talked about the different acts that I learned about during the master and what the dynamics in healthcare are. If you can show potential employers that you have insight into those things, you’re already one step ahead. The master gave me that, because if I look at my fellow juniors, they have had that less. Even a public administration graduate I know had some education on the system, but she had less substantive knowledge about the healthcare system than I did. One tip I can give is that employers like to see in young candidates that they know what’s going on in the news and in politics, because that goes beyond just what your job is about. In the master’s program we also had to follow what was happening in healthcare and what the major challenges are. This definitely was advantageous for me to have done during this master’s.

Experience during the Master

Q: Which experiences or learning moments during the HAS master helped you in your career?

A: What I personally liked about the master was that, even though you’re working with a small team, you achieve a lot. You get a bit of exposure to the professional field, and that’s ultimately why I ended up at Marente. I really enjoyed the nursing home visit, it was very interesting to get a real behind-the-scenes look. I found the OAS course the most fascinating, because it made me realize that the higher you go in the system, the more impact you can ultimately have on the care people receive. I was especially interested in understanding how our Dutch healthcare system is structured, how we’ve collectively organized care for the elderly. That was the most compelling part of the master for me.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses, or instructors that stood out to you?

A: I found it really interesting to look at how other countries organize their healthcare systems, like when we had to write the policy paper. We focused on Canada at the time. It was a system that was quite comparable, but in my opinion, a bit more social. They seemed more collectively responsible for patient care, whereas our system feels a bit more individualistic. And Tony, I don’t know if Tony still teaches there, but he was a lecturer who could speak very passionately about healthcare structures and systems. He explained the different philosophical approaches behind healthcare organization and how those shaped the systems we have today. Tony was really inspiring, and it was great to later collaborate with him as well.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: That was a bit different for me, since I stayed on with the master's team. That job felt like a sort of transition period between being a student and working a “real” adult job. Even though it was a serious position, it still felt like a bit of a protected bubble. The job I’m doing now actually feels like my first real grown-up job. During the master, I really learned to think critically and to collaborate also with people you may not naturally click with, which is essential in the workplace. Working toward a shared goal with a team is something I definitely took from the master. And especially the ability to reason critically. In my current role, it's important to think through the consequences of a new policy or adjustment. For example, if we decide to introduce a new policy, I consider: what are all the implications? Who do I need to consult with first to ensure it doesn’t negatively affect others? Suppose you're a doctor and you want access to all patient records, even those not under your care, I’d need to discuss that first. Or if we say, “Everyone must be showered every day,” I won’t be the one doing that, so I’d want to hear from the staff about what that decision would mean for them. So the master taught me: you can make a decision, but you also have to consider its consequences.

Career

Q: What kind of work do you do now, and what does it involve?

A: My title isn’t the most standard, so it might not be immediately clear what I do. Essentially, I work to improve the quality of care we provide. My job is to ensure that every day, the people in our care receive better care than the day before. I do this by writing policies, for example, one of my responsibilities is the 'Care and Coercion Act'. This law sometimes allows us to provide better care through coercion. That could mean using bed rails to prevent falls, but it also limits someone’s freedom. Recently, there have been several amendments to this law, and I track these changes to make sure we implement them correctly. We also write new policies based on legal updates or because we believe improvements are possible. I work closely with care providers and am currently involved in developing a new quality measurement system. We previously followed outdated guidelines requiring compliance with over 1,400 regulations, a number we found unmanageable. We’re now evaluating how to deliver quality care without simply checking boxes. We’re working with an expert panel how we can define and measure quality themes. For example, one of the themes is the care that is delivered in the first 24 hours. Additionally, I help prepare for inspections and audits, coordinate documentation, and ensure the right people are involved in those conversations. Lastly, we produce internal reports that consolidate quality data from all teams and locations to form a comprehensive view of our care quality.

Q: How did you discover this role and get started?

A: A friend actually forwarded me the job posting. I already knew Marente from a nursing home visit during the master at Huis op de Waard. It left a really positive impression; it felt like a welcoming, open environment where people could speak up. That positive association stuck with me. When I saw the vacancy, I immediately remembered that good feeling. I also liked that the team setup was similar to the master's program  a small core group, even though Marente is a large organization with 2,500 employees. And it aligns with why I chose this field in the first place: to improve healthcare. It feels like I’m now truly doing that, despite all the challenges we face.

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: It feels meaningful and I find that really important. Even though I’m not directly involved in hands-on care, I contribute to making sure others can provide good care. I don’t have a background as a care provider, but I help create the conditions that allow good care to happen. That’s how I contribute to quality care.

Impact

Q: How has the HAS master contributed to your personal and professional development?

A: What I really appreciated was learning to view healthcare from multiple perspectives. In my current job, I combine the 'Older Individual' and 'OAS' elements. It helps a lot to understand the background of the conditions our clients have, most in residential care have dementia or related disorders. Even though I’m not a medical expert, that background allows me to have informed conversations. OAS, in particular, helped me understand how the healthcare system works. In my first weeks on the job, having a grasp of the Dutch healthcare structure WLZ, WMO, and the Health Insurance Act was really helpful. More than anything, the master taught me skills: how to present, analyze, write, and communicate ideas clearly. That’s essential when trying to make sure everyone regardless of their role or background  understands and buys into your message. Because not all policy changes are easy or welcome.

Q: Do you see elements from the HAS master in your current work?

A: Aside from the skills, you also gain a foundational knowledge. You understand what various health conditions look like and how they affect people. And people in our facilities are typically far along in their dementia, often with multiple comorbidities. From OI, you gain insight into the effects of that. OAS is clearly reflected in my role I’m now part of the care system we studied. The initial nursing home visit during the master turned out to be quite pivotal. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but later I saw how impactful that visit was; it introduced me to Marente. The orientation visits in general were helpful, even the ones that showed me what I didn’t want. For example, I realized I didn’t want to work in a large, abstract setting like a ministry. Those visits helped me narrow down what fits me better, more hands-on and tangible roles.

Q: Would you say the master contributed to finding your current job?

A: I’m not sure I’d say that directly. The master did mention you could become a policy advisor, which I now am, but the way that was framed leaned more toward roles in government or umbrella organizations, not as much the ground level like I’m doing. That’s not a bad thing, just a different angle. The master opens up many paths: nursing homes, education, policy, but ‘policy’ was mostly described as high-level. And that’s not always the best fit for everyone. In the end, what matters isn’t necessarily what you studied, but that you studied. Having a master’s degree is what counts, whether it’s in Health, Aging & Society, Health Sciences, or something like Management and Policy Analysis, and Entrepreneurship. Of course, this master was new, and people were curious, but it wasn’t the reason I got the job. What helped more is that Marente is part of UNC-ZH, so the name gets recognized. Still, it wasn’t the deciding factor. I like that our team includes people from many backgrounds; nurses, team leaders, people who worked their way up, even someone with a degree in human movement sciences. That diversity is actually a strength. If everyone came from the same master, that wouldn’t be great either. So, the master helped, but it wasn’t the only reason I landed the job.

Experiences during the study

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your HAS studies helped you most during your career? 

A: What I really appreciated about the master's program is that there was indeed ample room for personal development. I heard this from my fellow students as well, and I still hear it from some with whom I'm still in contact. There was genuinely space for personal growth, such as the opportunity to present in English, which I still find quite daunting. The fact that attention was given to this aspect was reassuring.

Okay, if you feel uncertain in that area, we can assist you by providing support in this, that, or the other. Yes. Just to clarify, our group was quite diverse. It included a large number of medical students and also some non-medical students, each with unique backgrounds. Consequently, it was evident that everyone had different needs for development in various aspects, and the program truly allowed for that. So, that was really nice.

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have been memorable to you?

A: I do believe Carla Bakker was an important person for many students. She was really good at connecting you with others, making sure you could pursue what you wanted to do. So, that's very nice. I also think that the master's program as a whole really encourages and supports you to take significant steps in your career.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: Carla Bakker had connected me with a researcher at the Leiden Academy who was conducting studies on migrants. I believe that's where the initial spark occurred, leading to my current position. Opportunities were frequently arranged for networking or gaining insights, such as visits to the Ministry of Health to observe their operations and focus areas. Getting a glimpse behind certain doors proved instrumental in accelerating the early stages of my career.

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A:  I am currently engaged in doctoral research. Essentially, you work on a project with a central theme, which you further develop under the guidance of professors or your co-promoter, who is typically a doctor. You conduct research on a specific theme, and the work is quite independent. Additionally, there are opportunities for personal development through courses or training, with guidance from both your professor (promoter) and co-promoter. It's often likened to writing theses, but you have an extended period to complete them.

In my case, I am researching the health and well-being of Surinamese older individuals. I examine the neighborhoods they live in and neighborhood characteristics to understand their impact on health and well-being. This research involves a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Q: How did you get acquainted with this job and how did you start doing this?

A: During the master's program, I found the ageing process among migrants in the Netherlands to be very intriguing. I felt that this aspect received relatively little attention, despite the fact that, when considering the elderly population, migrants constitute a sizeable and significant group in the Netherlands. The master's program did not specifically focus on this topic. Consequently, I wrote a thesis at Leiden Academy, exploring ageing among seniors from Suriname and Indonesia. Through this experience, I realized my deep interest in the ageing process among migrants.

Subsequently, I pursued a Ph.D., and I am currently conducting doctoral research at Erasmus University, specifically within the Erasmus College of Health Policy & Management. I applied for this position through Academic Transfer, where you can explore various academic opportunities.

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: I find it very enjoyable. In our faculty, it's customary for Ph.D. candidates to also engage in teaching. I believe this is highly beneficial for your CV.

As for whether I would recommend pursuing a Ph.D. to current students in the Health, Aging, and Society master's program, it depends. You need to have a passion for research. It can sometimes be isolating, or I prefer to say, independent. It can certainly be a challenge if you're unfamiliar with the academic world and don't yet grasp all the intricacies involved. Therefore, it's crucial to connect with other Ph.D. candidates and learn from their experiences. If you find joy in reading, writing, engaging in conversations with older people, and working independently, I would definitely recommend it!

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: During the master's program, I acquired many skills that facilitated my further development. These skills proved extremely helpful in pursuing my Ph.D. This includes courses like Research & Evidence, scientific writing, and presentation skills. Additionally, the theories we learned during the master's program assist in discovering your passion. 

Q: Do you see direct applications of what you have learned during your studies into your current job activities? 

A: It has helped me gain a broad understanding of the issues affecting older people and the complexities of the ageing process. This encompasses both the social aspects and policy considerations, making it a comprehensive field. It involves exploring what factors are involved and, for instance, how they influence social interactions among the elderly. This knowledge allows me to apply a broader context to my research. Therefore, I believe it's more about the bigger picture and not necessarily the individual theories you might have consulted along the way.

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: I'm someone who tends to assess, at each moment or phase in my life, what aligns with me at this point. And then, I just go ahead and set that in motion, or at least attempt to. So, I can't provide a concrete answer to that question.

Experiences during the study

Q: Are there specific projects, courses or teachers that have made their mark on you during the HAS programme?

A: Honestly, I can’t decide what to choose! What I really liked about this master was that it was very broad: you learn about biology, the clinic and the organisation of elderly care. Besides that, there is space to come up with specific projects and innovations that suit you in your personal interest. This allows you to develop yourself innovatively as well. For example, we thought of a sports matching prototype app developed for elderly. 

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: As very positive! I think that certain factors contributed to this: I work at a department where there is a good atmosphere. Also, I already knew colleagues from my master’s. What’s also important is that I can partially work from home, that I can fill in my day how I want and that I have a lot of room to learn. 

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: At the moment, I am a PhD student and therefore on a promotion trajectory. I do research on the use of anticoagulation medication and the potential quitting of the use of it by elderly people with cancer in their final stage of life. In one of the projects where I am currently working on, we are developing a joint decision tool to aid whether certain decisions regarding potential stopping of anticoagulation medication among elderly in the final stage of life with cancer should take place. We are eventually testing this with a randomized controlled trial. In this process we are working closely together with colleagues from different specialties from different European countries. I also follow courses and seminars and I sometimes also give classes for HAS students and medical students.

Q: How did you get acquainted with this job and how did you start doing this?

A: Via contacts of the master’s programme 

Q: How do you experience your work?

A: Challenging, fun and diverse! I am currently working on five different projects and there is quite some variation in my work. There is also plenty of space for my own interests and investments regarding following courses and giving classes, which I both really enjoy!

Q: Would you recommend current HAS students working in this field of work and why?   

A: On the one hand, yes, because you learn a lot about certain topics, about research and you learn to become more critical. These are all skills that can help you in obtaining a future job and that can help you during your working life. On the other hand, it is hard to keep doing research after obtaining your PhD. You have to apply for grants yourself and there is quite some competition.

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: I found the ILP (Individual Learning Pathway) one of the most exciting learning modules during HAS. In this process you are able to invest 50 hours on something that you think is valuable towards developing soft skills, like organising events, or to develop yourself professionally. You can also use this time to invest in hard skills, like learning new research methods. During my ILP, I worked on a systematic review and this eventually became my first article where I was on an author’s list!  

Q: Would you say that your studies have had an important role in achieving your current position?

A: Yes! You get acquainted with a lot of people who are already working and therefore get a lot of new and relevant connections. These people are more than willing to think with you about what your ambitions are and where your interests lie in getting a certain job. Besides that, I also obtained a broad scope of knowledge on elderly care which I am able to apply in the work that I am currently doing. 

Q: How do you think HAS has contributed to being a good employee in your current occupation?

A: I believe that the course parts of academic development, the classes of communication in science, internship and my ILP have been a solid base for getting into my PhD trajectory.

Experiences during the study

Q: What experiences or learning moments during your studies have helped you most in your career? 

A: The great thing about my degree was that it combined the biological, epidemiological and healthcare policy perspectives into an integrated program. I’ve carried on using this holistic approach throughout my career and have been involved in work that puts scientific research into practice.

Q: How did you experience the transition from university to working life?

A: The academic approach that I had grown into, enabled me to quickly adopt a role as an advisor - clarifying a problem, conducting research on the topic, formulating hypotheses and ultimately recommendations. Adapting my theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios put me in a position where I could deliver expertise despite being junior.

Career

Q: What work do you do and what does that entail?

A: I currently work as a manager at a global consulting firm, where I focus on projects within healthcare and life sciences. This entails a range of topics, such as supporting the design of primary care delivery within the healthcare system and supporting the roll-out of the covid vaccination programme. My role requires close collaboration with clients, typically management teams within government or healthcare facilities, where I work shoulder-to-shoulder with teams and where I am embedded in an organisation for the duration of the project. Another aspect of my work is to integrate the experience and perspectives we gain throughout our projects, into white papers that provide an overview and general recommendations within a specific topic.

Q: How did you enroll in this? 

A: I entered the field by securing an internship focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of e-Health applications in elderly care. During this internship, I applied theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, bearing in mind the financial consequences and restrictions for e-Health deployment. I gained great insights into the day-to-day operations of the industry and the internship served as a stepping stone to a full-time position at this consultancy firm after completing my studies.

Impact of HAS

Q: In what way have your HAS studies contributed towards your personal and professional development?

A: The small, focused study groups provided the opportunity to refine my presentation and writing skills - this honed the expertise required in my professional journey.

Advice for current study

Q: What advice would you give to students studying Health, Ageing and Society at the moment? 

A: I would advise to embrace networking during their internships as well as with teachers who are experts in the field they find interesting. There is so much exciting work to do, so make sure to proactively reach out to people that have an interesting profile and ask for 15 minutes of their time. To me, speaking with a range of professionals really helped in crafting my perspective on where I want to go and what I want to do. Don’t be afraid to be an imposition - most people genuinely enjoy speaking to ambitious students!

Q: Are there specific skills or fields of knowledge that you would recommend developing during studying this master’s? 

A:  While studying, I would recommend aspiring to develop both breadth and depth of skills and knowledge—a T-shaped approach. By completing Health, Ageing and Society you inherently cultivate a broad understanding of ageing and longevity which is the horizontal bar of the T. By finding a topic you are specifically interested in, you delve deeply into a specific domain or skill set (the vertical stem of the T). Making sure that you have deep knowledge on a specific topic, how ever small that topic may be, immediately puts you in a position of being an expert. This T-shaped proficiency will make you versatile yet specialized, enhancing your effectiveness in the field, regardless of the type of profession you end up in.

Q: How important have networking and internships been in your career and what advice can you give to students on this? 

A: Networking and internships have been pivotal in shaping my career, as they laid the foundation for securing my initial job and subsequently progressing to another role. The word ‘networking’ always sounds a lot bigger than what it actually is - it boils down to showing genuine interest in people and the work they do. In consulting, there are endless opportunities in terms of topics to focus on or people to work with, so keeping an open view and connecting with a range of people enables you to find something that you feel as fulfilling and rewarding.