Testimonials

Alumna Christina van Spaendonck became CEO of VANLIER in 2023 at the age of 26. It was not her intention to take the helm of the 200-year-old premium shoe company, but now that she is in post she enjoys finding solutions to business challenges others were unable to solve. At the same time, she acknowledges that she is still learning. In her view, denying this would rob her of a chance to grow even further.

Christina has always been intrigued by numbers. ‘I chose to study econometrics because I figured it was a combination of mathematical puzzling and insights into the way the world is structured with a special focus on companies. I chose Erasmus School of Economics because its international approach appealed to me, as did the multinational character of the city.’

Extracurricular activities

In her second year, Christina joined Erasmus Social Network, which organises activities for students from all faculties. She also became a student ambassador. ‘It was a conscious decision to focus on my studies during the first year. However, econometrics is a field in which soft skills receive less attention, so I was keen to learn to present and explain the educational programme to others. I also worked for a financial start-up called Aulin. My job was to help write programmes to extract news about particular companies from the media. This was a great way of gaining experience in applying the knowledge I acquired in my study.

I had applied to participate in the exchange programme to go to Japan or Singapore. At the time, I did not realise that your grade point average is very important for the selection process, so I lost out to stiff competition despite the fact that my grades were pretty good. Instead, I went on a trip to Japan with FAECTOR, the econometric study association. It involved a two-month internship in the Netherlands to raise money for the journey. Together with other students, I built a model for T-Mobile and it was great to see that it was able to add value in decision-making on pricing and promotions. During my master’s studies, I became a teaching assistant for the master study Data Science & Business Analytics, which was for students without previous econometric experience. It helped me to gain an even deeper understanding of modelling.’ 

Changing plans

Christina combined writing her thesis with an internship at Philips for four days a week. However, the pandemic put a stop to that and she had to change her plans. ‘After graduation, I could not work for Philips in Japan as I had planned because foreigners were no longer receiving visas. It looked like I was going to be freewheeling for a while, but I thought it would be good fun to spend some time at my father’s company VANLIER. Necessity is the mother of invention, so the fact that all shops had been closed because of COVID actually helped to give a push to increase our online presence and introduce data analysis.’

An unintentional way of becoming CEO

The previous CEO recognised Christina’s ability for analytical thinking and taking people along in the new approach. It had convinced him that it would be a good idea if she were to succeed him a year later when he planned to retire. She thought about it for three days and decided to embrace the chance to learn more about business.
‘To build an econometric model, you have to go back to the basics and look at all variables and the effects of various actions. This has given me the ability to understand complex issues and understand the implications of all options. In my experience, the role of CEO is mainly solving problems that have been escalated because others in the company were unable to come to a solution. That is right up my street since I enjoy puzzles. My affinity with numbers also means that I feel comfortable with financial statements and other business data.’

The role of data at VANLIER

VANLIER is a well-known provider of men’s shoes with a proud history dating back to 1815. However, when Christina arrived, she found that this venerable age also showed in things such as ICT, the sales organisation, and the web shop. ‘Everything was based on the notion that the brand is the supplier of the wholesale channel, which sells to retailers in the high street. Twice a year a new collection would arrive so it could be presented to the wholesalers and after that, the commercial team would go into quiet mode for five months. In the new approach, you have to supply customers every day and you are much closer to the end-user. 

Data for the sake of data is not interesting. The transition I started, focused on deploying the information we obtained online to service the customer optimally. For this, you need to make sure you have enough stock based on the know-how derived from the behaviour of web visitors. This approach helped us to make an informed selection for the next collection of shoes. It also had a positive impact on logistics. On top of that, our data-driven approach makes us significantly more sustainable. Our waste has fallen to about 5%, meaning we sell about 95% of our stock, while most competitors are left with 30% waste.

The change is going slower than I would have liked. As a student, I was used to acting swiftly based on analysis of the data. I have learned that in a company it is important to take everybody along. That means implementation of new plans requires time. In our case, we also have to take into account our 200-year legacy. Today’s steps must guarantee that we will still be there 200 years from now.’

Being CEO in your twenties

Christina is conscious of the fact that she is still learning and does not know everything. ‘Nobody can expect me to. I definitely have the ambition to acquire all that knowledge and I enjoy gaining new insights in conversations with my colleagues. What I do know is where I can add value now and where this will be the case at a later stage.

The role of CEO is so broad that I can choose my own approach. I lead in choosing the direction we take. What is really important to me is to show respect toward other professionals who have knowledge that I do not possess yet, but I also expect them to respect me for what I bring to the organisation.’

Networking

Although it is changing rapidly in many sectors, networking in retail still means encountering mostly grey-haired men. ‘The fact that I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in econometrics helps me to get in on the conversations. It prevents people from brushing me aside as dumb or too young. Those conversations may not be as deep as they would have with others who have been working in this sector for decades, but there will be an exchange of analyses and ideas. Sometimes, I can make these old hands look from a different perspective. For example, looking at customers’ expectations and the retail experience. These things are not reflected in numbers and therefore often overlooked.  I also try to get to know more women in business for example through the Erasmus Trust Fund. This is an initiative here at the university, which connects and supports entrepreneurial women.

Shares in VANLIER

VANLIER was recently listed on nx’change. ‘My father is now 63 and wanted to make the company more accessible. Therefore, he has made available part of his shares and put the money back into a share premium account on our balance sheet. I agree that the listing is a good way to make loyal customers literally feel more invested in VANLIER. There are various perks, depending on how many shares people own, which has proven to be very popular. We do not need the money right now, but it is good to know we have the financial room to execute our growth plans when the time comes.’

The future

‘I have to say that so far it looks like my study has prepared me very well for this role because of the analytical approach I have been taught. There is still a lot I would like to do at VANLIER, and I also intend to continue learning as much as possible. I can see myself going back to programming and number crunching at some point, still solving puzzles but in a different way.’

More information

In 1815 Govert van Lier started manufacturing shoes in Loon op Zand. Christina’s father, Geert Van Spaendonck, bought the company in 1991 from the Van Lier brothers. The company is best known for its premium brown leather men’s shoes, but nowadays about 40% of revenues come from sneakers. Production of the latter takes place in Portugal, while the leather shoes are made in India since they need many manual operations that require skills that are no longer available in Portugal.

This item is part of Backbone Magazine 2024. The magazine can be found in E-building or Theil-building for free. Additionally, a digital copy is available here. Backbone is the corporate magazine of Erasmus School of Economics. Since 2014, it is published once a year. The magazine highlights successful and interesting alumni, covers the latest economic trends and research, and reports on news, events, student and alumni accomplishments.

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!

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 invested capital committed from large institutional investors (i.e.: pension funds, etc.) by acquiring mid-sized companies. We normally acquired a majority stake, which gave us ‘control’ for important company decisions. After having acquired a company, we support management actively to work on the company’s further improvement. Since 2019, I work as a CEO at DIT Holding

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!

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, being in an environment where strategy and execution is constantly linked helps me today when I am working closely with the co-founder of Celonis.

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. 

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 in the summer of 2012 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'.

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. 

In the central hall of the office of Staffyou one object stands out: a gong. ‘We ring it every time we land a client’, founder and CEO Pavle Beslic clarifies. Does the gong ring often enough? ‘Never enough!’, he says, with a generous smile. The location of the office is impressive: it is situated in the Maastoren on the 33rd floor, a couple of floors above Beslic’s former employer Deloitte, with spectacular views on the Erasmus Bridge and beyond. 

Staffyou is a digital temporary agency platform that matches temps and employers through smart algorithms. The location matches the success of the company: in a couple of years Staffyou became a million-dollar business that is active in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

How did you come up with the idea of Staffyou? 

Around 2008 I was working as a student for a temp agency myself. I noticed that a lot of colleagues turned up late or were high. I had started a small business before and thought: I can do this too. I addressed the client on the spot, who replied: ‘Well, this is going so bad… If you turn up next Saturday with eight employees, you will be my new supplier.’ I succeeded and started my new business. It was typical for me: seeing opportunities everywhere, without being limited by any expertise. That also meant that I made all the mistakes you can make. I failed to arrange essential things, like taking care of the right acquisition and credit control. My client started paying later and later, and then the financial crisis happened. I could not get a loan and my client went bankrupt. It made me take a different approach. I finished my studies and started working as an accountant, aiming to move up on the corporate ladder that way. After a couple of years, I saw the opportunity to work for myself and eventually to also start my own business again. From the mistakes I made when I was younger, I learned to really take the time to develop a proper idea first. That idea turned out to be the digitalisation of the temp agency. When I was a student, the workflow of these agencies was very cumbersome: there were no smartphones yet, you always had to call people and email directions. I realised that the sector had not changed that much ever since. Why not digitalise your workflow, since we already do everything else online as well? At first, employers were hesitant when I pitched this idea to them. They preferred to call their temps and were not very keen on working with reviews of employees. But I was still convinced of all the advantages of digitalisation and was determined.

Did you learn things during your studies that are still helpful now? 

In retrospect, definitely. When you are a student, a topic like financial accounting is quite abstract. But when I started to expand my business, I recognised the theory behind what was happening and knew what sources to consult to refresh my knowledge.

Are there also topics that you wished you learned more about when you were a student? 

Yes. Communication would be on top of the list. Of course you study languages and you write a thesis. But I am talking basic communication: how to communicate, how to read people and how to interact with different types of people. It will be a huge part of everything you will do after graduation. Another theme would be certain financial knowledge: what taxes entail, how capital works and how to raise money. I would recommend students to read books from successful entrepreneurs who share their experiences. For example, I learned a lot from Zero to One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters, the biography of Elon Musk and Amp it up by Frank Slootman – an alumnus from Erasmus. But besides that and focusing on your studies, I think it is also important to do something else that you are passionate about. That can be sports or something creative, as long as it is something that you can completely dive into and that helps you take your mind off other things.

When you were young, your family experienced hardships because of the war. Does that play a role in how driven and motivated you are? 

After being born in Rotterdam, my parents and I moved to then Yugoslavia. After four or five years we left because the war was coming. The economy was turning bad slowly and you could predict it was going bad. My parents sold everything to start a new life in their motherland. When that life fell apart, they lost everything. I realised that things did not work out as we hoped. Being back here, I had the feeling that I stood behind and that I had to make up for something. It felt like I had something to prove. That was definitely a drive to achieve things.

I have always stayed in Rotterdam since. It is the place I know best, where I know everyone. I have an emotional connection with the city. When we were in the middle of upscaling, I bought a small boat. When I was under a lot of pressure, I went speedboating across the Maas to wind down. It also created head space for new ideas. 

I would have liked to live abroad for a year, but that never happened. That is something I regret: I should have had a little bit more fun before I fully took on my entrepreneurship. I underestimated how intensive and time consuming it is. I just started and once you have, you cannot step out that easily. So I would advise future entrepreneurs to think it through beforehand and make a conscious choice. Also: know that everything is possible. I also started in a paid employment situation without a lot of connections. But, and I cannot stress this enough, be realistic at the same time. Not everything can be an instant hit. Do not listen to influencer coaches who promise you golden mountains with minimal effort. If your attempts keep ending up in failure, you will risk giving up your dream. Read, learn, think in scale and take your time. When you will eventually come up with the winning idea, you have made it.

More information

Pavle Beslic (1985) studied Economics at Erasmus School of Economics. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Auditing & Control. After his studies he first worked as an auditor at Deloitte, and later as an accountant on a freelance basis. In 2016 he made his first turnover with his company Staffyou.

This item is part of Backbone Magazine 2023. Backbone magazine is the corporate magazine of Erasmus School of Economics. A digital copy can be found here.

During my bachelor I’d followed several types of courses. Of all these courses the accounting, analytical and finance courses interested me the most. Based on these topics I narrowed down the wide range of MSc programmes available and have visited the accounting, auditing and control, financial economics and Strategy Economics master programmes during an Open Day. Based on the presentations and interactions during these days, and additional information obtained I felt like this MSc programme would fit me best. The Audit track would therein provide me both knowledge on the academics around accounting, financial accounting as well as auditing. 

Why did you (at the time) choose for Erasmus School of Economics?

I initially choose Erasmus School of Economics at the moment of my decision for a BSc programme. The main factor for me at this moment was “where do I feel home”. I visited Erasmus University Rotterdam since it was highly ranked, and at the time of my visit immediately liked the city of Rotterdam. I already knew I was going to follow a BSc at the Economic faculty, so with my choice for the city of Rotterdam, and thus the highly ranked Erasmus University, Erasmus School of Economics was the result. 

What is your current job and what does it entail?

I work as a Junior Manager in the Audit Department at Deloitte. My client portfolio consists of International, listed and American listed companies. Auditing them means that we perform procedures to test managements assertions on their financial information, such as a financial statements or an quarterly earnings release. Furthermore I investigate the business processes within the organisation to get an understanding of how transactions flow through the organisation. Based on investigating their internal control we can assess whether there might be any flaws in their processes or controls, and whether these could lead to additional risks. Auditing is teamwork, hence for each client I work for there is a separate team. Next to teamwork being fun and educational, it also gives room to grow and take on more complex topics over the years and to grow to a project leader. Therewith you also work on your communication and people skills. These are also highly trained through interactions that you have with your clients.

"The basic theory from the courses taught during my Masters, I still use on a daily basis."

In what way do you use the skills and knowledge obtained during your bachelor and/or master in your professional life? 

The BSc programme has provided me with basic knowledge of economics and business economics, analytics and problem solving. The most direct link I can find between my day to day work and the BSc programme would be theory from the Financial Accounting courses. In the MSc programme I got more theoretical background on what auditing entails, on IFRS rules and on process management and internal control. The basic theory from the courses as taught during my Masters, I still use on a daily basis.

Irene Odile de Vries had lived on four continents before coming to Erasmus School of Economics. She enrolled in a premaster course and the master’s in international economics because she wanted to understand the countries she had lived in. Gradually she came to realise that connections between economics and other disciplines are often overlooked. It motivated her to surmount several challenges to get to where she is now: an economics teacher with a wide following because of the innovative ideas she presents.

You arrived at Erasmus School of Economics in a roundabout way. Can you tell us how?

I obtained the International Baccalaureate in Malaysia and Australia where my family lived as expats. After graduating High School in Kuala Lumpur, I did not fancy going back to the Netherlands by myself, so I studied Psychology and Business Administration on the Malaysian campus of Monash, an Australian university. After six months, I continued on their Melbourne campus where I completed my studies in Business Administration. Looking for work experience, I moved to the Netherlands and subsequently New York to do jobs in event management. There is always a lot going on in New York City so after two years I left because I was tired and wanted to enjoy some travelling. When I started working in the Netherlands again, I went back to event management, but it soon felt like more of the same. Recently, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which helps me to understand why I dislike repetitiveness, and enjoy moving and changing jobs every couple of years. Knowing I have ADHD does not make it go away, but it does make my life a bit easier. The diagnosis helped me to see what my biggest challenges are, how to tackle them and forgive myself when I get stuck.

'The most surprising outcome of the premaster is probably that I now actually enjoy maths!'

In search of the next step in my career, I was reading a lot of books such as Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth and a Dutch book that shows how market forces have come to determine everything from housing and labour to democracy and even love. When I attended a presentation by its author, Koen Haegens, I met people from a group called Rethinking Economics. This organisation, which is also very active in Rotterdam, is part of an international network of students and recent graduates that aims to build better economics education with the support of academic allies. These conversations, in combination with the books and my travels, inspired me to study economics. With an Australian Bachelor in Business Administration you cannot simply enter a Master’s programme in Economics so I enrolled in the premaster at Erasmus School of Economics. I chose this university because Rotterdam seemed like a nice city (which turned out to be very true). The premaster was certainly necessary for me because I lacked a foundation in mathematics, microeconomics and macroeconomics. The maths was particularly challenging initially, but thanks to other students I mastered concepts such as integrating and differentiating quickly. The most surprising outcome of the premaster is probably that I now actually enjoy maths!

Why did you choose the Master in International Economics?

I had lived an international life and considered doing so in the future as well. The idea was that this degree would help me compare the places where I had lived so far. Why are some countries more developed than others? Why is the inequality in the US so much higher than in the other countries where I have lived? My study in international economics showed me where I have to look to answer these questions, while providing me with tools to analyse such information. What I missed, in my time at Erasmus School of Economics, was a comprehensive approach that takes into account how different disciplines are interwoven and how various economists approached the large issues of their time. Economic theories are the product of human thinking and, to a large extent, they are shaped by the assumptions and hypotheses used to formulate them. I believe it needs to be made very clear that economic theory is thus influenced by politics and idealism, and the broader historical context. Prospective students might be glad to hear that Erasmus School of Economics has recently expanded teaching on the ethics of methodologies and more perspectives are now included in the subject History of Economic Thought. I was happy with the structure of the course, which meant that the study was compartmentalised in several blocks, but writing a thesis was very hard for me. I now know that I need to engage in something new regularly. In-depth research, writing and rereading is very difficult for someone with my form of ADHD. I eventually managed to complete the process with the help of my friends.

'The debate behind every economic policy is a fascinating power struggle'

How has your view on economics influenced your career?

Upon graduating, I had various jobs in event management and journalism until I had a burnout. Looking back, I think this was partly due to a lack of boundaries between work and my private life. When I came back to work, I had a few talks with a career coach. During these sessions it became clear that editing opinion pieces for a newspaper, in which you have to work on long essays and stay on top of the news constantly, was not the right job for me. As a child I wanted to become a music teacher and during my master’s degree I enjoyed the classes so much that I could actually see myself teaching economics at some point in the future. This all came back to me when I was considering a career switch. A friend alerted me to an opening at a school in my neighbourhood and within no time I was standing in front of a class of exam students. I am studying part-time for a qualification as teacher at the highest level. In the Netherlands, you can use the knowledge gained at university to start teaching at this level immediately on the understanding that you will obtain the necessary diploma within three years. Part of my course is professional didactics, which I engage with enthusiastically. As a new teacher you bring your own external ideas and experiences to the field. I am actually surprised that there is no mandatory continuing education for high school teachers, something you see in many other professions.

What would you like to change in secondary education?

One of the reasons economics is interesting is that it can be applied in so many fields. The debate behind every economic policy is a fascinating power struggle. This is a subject that lends itself to examinations in the form of papers or discussions, not maths and multiple-choice questions. Now that I am teaching, I do understand better why it is difficult to offer such a comprehensive approach. Moreover, connecting with colleagues that teach a different subject and offer lessons that show how everything is linked, is proving difficult, even at a school where we are all in the same building.

I am critical of the emphasis on concepts such as GDP and sums in which there is no room for what is lacking in its calculation. There are opportunities to teach students about the boundaries to growth for example, but these remain fairly limited. The teaching methods tend to focus on giving the students enough practice with the mathematical side of the subject.

I would prefer an approach that shows students how economic concepts help us understand the way our world works. The required content of the curriculum is determined every four years, which makes it very difficult to include phenomena that are taking place in today’s society. I try to deal with this by inviting a guest speaker occasionally and following the news with my classes. When I read a newspaper article, I can see clearly the economic concepts that relate to each story and how to use it as an example in lessons. In my enthusiasm, it can be difficult to balance these real-world examples with explaining the theory and solutions to tricky questions. It was very reassuring to hear a student in the exam year say that the class discussion of news items helped them to understand the topic and see the practical use of economics lessons.

When I am not teaching or studying, I am also part of a team called Our New Economy. We advocate for better economics education at all levels and produce teaching materials that pay more attention to such things as sustainability and the balance of power on the labour market. I also publish ideas for economics teaching on LinkedIn and in a professional magazine for teachers, TEO. For example when Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, I created and shared teaching materials, and wrote about the opportunity to use this as an illustration of game theory or the prisoners’ dilemma. Perhaps it is even more important that future generations understand the consequences of their actions during an unfolding bank run than whether or not they are capable of doing their sums correctly.

I enjoyed mathematics as a subject in school and was curious to learn more about topics like economics, finance and accounting. I wanted to study in English among international students and this BSc programme seemed a great fit.

Why did you (at the time) choose for Erasmus School of Economics?

Besides the worldwide academic reputation Erasmus School of Economics has, I found all programmes offered by Erasmus School of Economics to be very well structured, with fundamental courses in the first two years and plenty of flexibility in the last year where you could choose between various majors as well as internships and exchanges. Rotterdam seemed like a great option because of the city vibes and all the cultural, social and recreational facilities the city offers.

What is your current job (and what have you been doing before) and what does it entail?

I currently work as a Data Analytics Engineer for a fintech based in London. My job is to provide clean and reliable data sets to end users and empower them to answer their own questions. That means ensuring the data is ingested, transformed, scheduled, and ready for analytics. The finance and accounting courses during my studies proved to be useful while working in a payments company. Also, the multiple group projects during my bachelor improved my teamwork and communication skills. 

What advice would you give to potential students?

You may feel lost, not have a clue of what’s going on or even suffer from the imposter syndrome at the beginning. You are certainly not alone in feeling that, and as you advance in your studies you will get to enjoy it more and will feel at ease.