Stories

Laura van der Cammen

Economics and business economics teacher at Melanchton Schiebroek & former project manager

Alumna Master Economics and Business 

I would not describe myself as a typical economics student. At high school I wasn’t blown away by supply and demand curves. Nor did I admire to become a succesful investment banker. However, the study economics and business economics at the ESE was very interesting and useful for me and  I recommend studying it because it offers many possibilities, including the following.

After high school I looked for a study that would provide me with a broad set of valuable and useful skills. My ideal study should also contain both a mathematical side as well as a behavioral / society side. In economics I found just that.

During my bachelor I directly enjoyed the mathematical side of economics and, through elective courses and self-selected minors, I gradually discovered that I also enjoyed the behavioral side. During the masters financial economics and marketing I gained a deeper understanding in both these aspects of economics. Studying at the ESE was fun and well organized. The teachers were professionals and self-study was alternated by group work.

This study provided me with great analytical skills that were very useful in my first job as a project manager/consultant at Boer&Croon. In different organizations and projects I quickly acquired knowledge and systematically worked towards the set goals. The marketing and behavioral economics side of the study prepared me for working in different ways and settings with people.

After working as a project manager I am now a high school economics teacher. Teaching others the basics of economics has made me appreciate this field even more. Economics is everywhere! The value and applicability of this study presents itself every day. 

Johannes-Alexander Weis 

Data Scientist | Solution Engineer - Celonis SE

Alumnus Master Economics and Business (Behavioral Economics)

After reading the book ‘Misbehaving’ by Richard Thaler, I was immediately fascinated by Behavioural Economics. The Erasmus School of Economics offered a programme which combined theory and applied sciences, which was exactly what I was looking for.

During my studies, I deepened my understanding of economics and had the opportunity to work directly with numerous professors, which helped me gain additional experience in academia and research. Furthermore, obtaining the degree from the Erasmus School of Economics helped me to find an amazing job as a strategy consultant right after graduation. 

A couple of months in my new job I was contacted by the young software company Celonis. I received an offer and had two days to think about changing careers. The next day, I told my parents on the phone that I was moving from Hamburg to Munich. 

At Celonis I am constantly thrown in at the deep end, which is the best method to learn as quickly as possible. In a constantly changing environment, I am applying the analytics skills which I acquired in studying Behavioral Economics. Principally, I gained an ability to understand complex problems quickly by breaking them down into smaller components. Moreover, constantly having to present in seminars during my studies still helps me today when I am pitching software to C-levels of international billion-euro companies. 

All in all, I am very glad that the skills required for a master degree in Behavioral Economics also prepare you for working in the rapidly growing tech industry, or in any other rapidly developing industry. For prospective students, I can highly recommend studying at Erasmus School of Economics. 

Dennes van der Vlist

Former Investment Manager in Private Equity

Alumnus International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics IBEB

After finishing my studies in Rotterdam in 2011, I started working for a Private Equity firm based in Amsterdam. As a Private Equity firm, we invest capital committed from large institutional investors (i.e.: pension funds, etc.) by acquiring mid-sized companies. We normally acquire a majority stake, which puts us ‘in control’ for important company decisions. After having acquired a company, we support management actively to work on the company’s further improvement.

The reason I wanted to start working in the investment industry after my studies was the entrepreneurial character of the work, as well as the broad scope. As an investor, you are involved in virtually all aspects of a company: financially, strategically, operationally, fiscally, legally, etc. I work on both the deal side as well as on the operational improvements side. On the deal side, I support the evaluation of new investment opportunities – giving me the opportunity to look at many different companies – as well as supporting the hectic process of closing the deal. On the operations side, I work on operational improvement programmes at our portfolio companies. This allows me to gain an in-depth understanding of the workings of businesses. I find this truly fantastic exposure to get so early on in a career!

In my opinion, my studies in Rotterdam certainly helped me build a solid fundament to start a career in business. Especially in a fast-paced working environment, as the investment industry generally is, you need to ‘hit the ground running’ when you start working after your studies. I think having developed a good basic sense of business during my studies has greatly enhanced the start of my career.

Therefore, anyone who wants to work as an investor, as an entrepreneur, or who wants to work in business otherwise, I can truly recommend studying business economics in Rotterdam!

Eline van der Gaast

Senior Software Engineer

Alumna Master Quantitative Marketing (Econometrics)

In the summer of 2001 while still in high school, I visited New York City and instantly fell in love. I loved the city, the energy and the people and decided that someday I would live there.

With this dream in the back of my mind I enrolled at the Erasmus University and started my bachelor a few years later. I enjoyed the international settings and the broad skill set I gained.

Upon completing my bachelor degree I wanted to diversify my skills and I therefore continued my education, working towards both a master in HR and Econometrics. During my time as a student I combined academia with extracurricular activities. I became the president of the Econometric Study association (ED) as well as part of the University Council. Both experiences were great and allowed me to build skills in leading teams.

Shortly after obtaining my masters in Quantitative Marketing in 2010 my dream came true. I joined SKIM, a boutique market research agency, and transferred to their NYC office. Here I apply techniques and models I learned during my studies on real life problems faced by large multinational companies. I continue to  leverage the analytical thinking and problem solving skills I got from Econometrics on a daily basis.

Since then new dreams have come along and last summer I helped SKIM open their  5th office in San Francisco. The hands-on and entrepreneurial mentality from the EUR and the city Rotterdam is really something that has helped me forward in my career and to achieve my goals.

So, as a tip for future students I would like to use a quote from Walt Disney – 'If you can dream it, you can do it'.

Hubert de Nie

Head of Innovation & IT at KLG China

Alumnus International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics (IBEB)

I graduated from the IBEB programme in the summer of 2011 and continued my studies at the Erasmus School of Economics, graduating from the Marketing programme in the summer of 2012. Shortly after, I started my very first fulltime job at Accenture as Technology Consultant within the Financial Services industry in The Netherlands.

Having left university some time ago, I have actually started to miss it. I have learned a great deal over the years at the Erasmus University and I am convinced it was the ideal environment to prepare for the future. In the class rooms I learned how to think critically, work with divers people in a team and take responsibility for my own actions. The IBEB programme is also unique because of its small size, allowing you to get to know your fellow students in a relatively short period of time, making your time on campus even more eventful!

Furthermore, student life in Rotterdam is very accommodating for those who want to develop themselves outside of the class room. I managed my own company and was very active at EFR for example. These experiences taught me how to plan, analyze and solve critical problems and think in possibilities.

I would like to recommend everyone studying IBEB to ensure you get the most out of your student time. Whether it is joining a fraternity, becoming a master of a particular instrument, getting active at one of the associations (like EFR) or starting your own club or company; ensure you differentiate yourself from the rest, meet new people and supplement the excellent academic possibilities at the Erasmus School of Economics with experience outside of the classroom.

Irma Tempelaar

Consultant Advanced Planning & Scheduling - Capgemini

Alumnus Econometrics and Operations Research

Studying is like cooking. With cooking you want to enjoy the process, but eventually it is all about the final dish. The same holds for studying! You want to enjoy your study and everything that comes with it, but eventually it is to get that great job that you want.

My first ingredient in cooking my great job was the study Econometrics. To get the best ingredient I chose to get this in Rotterdam, which is the most renowned university for Econometrics. To this I added a year of board membership at the Econometric Study Association (ED), which for me made the difference. You get thoroughly aware of each other’s passion and capabilities, so when two of the board members got a presentation from Capgemini they called me and screamed that I should be working there.

My dish is still in progress and currently I am adding a job as an Analytics consultant at Capgemini to it. My latest project is helping the Dutch Ladies Rugby Sevens team to win a medal at the Olympics in Rio (2016). We will do this using everything we have learned during the Econometrics study in turning data into, in this case, tactical advice and training schedules.

My secret ingredient to your success: Train yourself as much as possible in the skill of explaining the complex things you learn and do at Econometrics in a simple way. Tell your family, friends, the neighbour... It is a really valuable ingredient to your dish!

Marco Massarenti

Bundesbank

Alumnus International Bachelor Econometrics and Operations Research

After a bachelor and a master in statistics and three scholarships to study abroad, I considered taking a second master, to improve my econometric and programming skills. Being familiar with the master programmes of the Erasmus School of Economics, the University´s high academic reputation, and its great teaching professors, I enrolled for the MSc in Quantitative Finance.

The choice was simple – the Netherlands. The career prospects are almost unlimited: insurance corporations, consultancy agencies and investment banks are only some of the private firms open to the successful student.

The public sector is yet another opportunity. I did my master´s internship at the European Central Bank, but any public agency or the central government are potential employers. I have been working at ECB for almost three years, doing research on payment systems and monetary policy.

I recently joined the Bundesbank where I now focus on financial stability topics. In my work, I apply many of the theoretical insights and practical skills that I have learnt in my master programme.

I strongly recommend enrolling in the international bachelor programme in econometrics offered by the Erasmus University. It is a great opportunity to study in an inspiring yet challenging environment with superb career perspectives, where the learning process is eased by the friendly attitude of the professors: you can even play squash with some of them!

Sanne Rosendaal

Risk Trainee - ING

Alumnus International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics (IBEB)

I am currently enrolled in the Risk track of the ING International Talent Programme. Before this I did a master in Development Economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, the master in Financial Economics and my bachelor IBEB at the Erasmus University.

I enjoyed studying at both institutions, since it demonstrated that a similar theory in one school is just not the same as in another school! Hence, it taught me to adopt a critical approach towards what people tell you, which I also find very valuable in my current job.

In addition to my study I was also active in the faculty association EFR, in which I obtained the practical experience that your study just does not provide. Organising a TV-broadcasted debate is just not what they teach you in school! I believe that having a broad skill set through both your studies and participating in other enriching activities is what helps you most to obtain a challenging job, but also to be successful in your job.

During my job search I had, next to content requirements, one important subjective requirement. While being interviewed I wanted to enjoy the interviews, particularly with the people that I was likely to work with. If you enjoy the interviews this is usually a sign that you fit the people and are in the right place. If you do not enjoy it, I believe it is worthwhile to listen to this predictive sign!

Sebastian Korteweg

Financing and Scheduling films & TV series at RTL

Alumnus Economics and Business Economics

Studying isn’t only about getting a degree. It’s about exploring your world. Ever since I saw the car from Back to the Future in Hollywood at the age of nine, I have been thrilled by the magic of movies. I started wondering how this medium could be so powerful. I did a Bachelor and Master in Economics to develop a solid business understanding, and as a board member of EFR, I got to organize several events together with students and all kinds of organizations. Travelling through New Zealand, I decided to follow my heart and pursue a career to help people find entertaining stories. 

What kind of stories can we develop for audiences, and how can we maximise our value on each platform? As our viewing behaviour shifts to online, we're in the middle of transforming from a B2B to a B2B/B2C company and making sure we attract viewers every moment, on every platform. As a project manager I have worked in several teams on Video on Demand strategies, content and delivery. In my current position I help finance and schedule movies for release in cinemas, online and TV.  Everyday, the wave of TV series, films and consumer driven platforms inspires me to find great storytelling, and work on effective ways of delivering that to people.

Vincent Karremans

CEO & Founder Magnet.me

My first lecture was Micro Economics 1 taught by prof. Swank. Two valuable lessons were taught to me that day.

Lesson one: “Look to your neighbour. Odds are that within one year he or she won’t be sitting in the same lecture hall anymore”. In other words: This world does not wait, so if you want to succeed, you will have to work hard… Rotterdam style.

Lesson two: “Economists are the managers of the future and - when graduated - earn a lot of money. You can optimise your utility now by transferring that money from the future to the present by borrowing as much money as you can from the government (IB Groep)”. Hence, in my very first lecture, I came to learn about the time value of money.

For a founder of a tech startup (while at university) you pretty much breathe and live by that economic principle: a euro is more worth to me today than the same euro tomorrow. That was, by the way, as a freshman in economics - even without a utility equation - not hard to imagine.