Anniek Postema

I chose this Master’s programme because I have always been fascinated by learning and performance. How do people perform optimally? What can I do to help others improve their performance? During the programme, I have learned to answer these questions while looking at the topic from different perspectives. When analysing learning and performance, I have, for instance, taken the role of practice into account or the format of the study material.

The Master’s programme, and in particular Professor Dr Fred Paas, have given me the opportunity to do a research internship in Wollongong (NSW, Australia), which was a very valuable experience for me. During this internship, I got a behind the scenes impression of the life of researchers at a university. Moreover, the period abroad has enabled me to grow both on a personal as well as on a professional level. I have noticed that future employees really appreciate this kind of experience.

After my graduation, it turned out that this Master’s programme gave me a wide range of opportunities. Learning and performance are prevalent in many different environments of our society and I have learned to consider different aspects of learning and performance while analysing these phenomena.

I believe that the thorough knowledge and the wide range of experiences I was able to gain during my studies, and in particular the experience of the research internship, have resulted in my current position.  After the Master’s programme, I got the opportunity to do a PhD at the work and organisational psychology department of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The focus of my PhD project is on (sport) performance. I am able to apply my passion and curiosity for the way people perform in this project, which is wonderful. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and I can recommend this Master’s programme to everybody interested in this field.