𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
I’m 26 years old, from Tilburg, and I work at Van de Weegen Bouw, part of the Van de Weegen Group.
Within the construction company, we mainly focus on renovation, conversion and, occasionally, new-build projects. We no longer undertake large-scale housing projects. We used to do that, but that’s no longer our focus. For example, we are currently working in the Spoorzone at MindLabs on behalf of Tilburg City Council. We also carry out a lot of maintenance work for, amongst others, a housing association in Tilburg. This ranges from minor repairs to complete renovations of bathrooms, kitchens and toilets.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗻-𝗧?
I haven’t necessarily linked a single specific goal to it. I mainly think it’s a valuable programme that fits in well with my ambitions within the company. It provides tools for personal development, as well as for a potential role as a manager. It helps you gain a better understanding of yourself. So there isn’t just one measurable goal behind it, but it’s mainly a great addition to my development and to what I want to achieve in the coming years.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻-𝗧 𝘂𝗽 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘄? 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
I really enjoyed the first day straight away, because you get to know all the participants. What I find particularly valuable is that it’s a very diverse group. In the construction industry, we’re quite conservative and often stay within our own sector. Here, you’re actually working with people from different sectors. You’re effectively forced to be open to that. That yields new insights, and I hope this also leads to more collaboration and that we can learn from one another.
One moment that stuck with me was the music game. We had to choose a song that said something about us. Then everyone sat in a semicircle and one person sat in the middle whilst their song was played. You could close your eyes or look at everyone.I chose to look at everyone. That was quite awkward, especially as we didn’t know each other very well yet. You notice that people are looking at you very intently and you become aware of it. It’s confrontational but also fun. A good way to step out of your comfort zone.
Later on, we also had to give a pitch to a group of people involved in the programme. That put us under pressure, but that’s all part of it. Not everything needs to be planned; unexpected situations are valuable too.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲?
I think it’s important that, as an individual, you have a rough idea of where you want to go. A programme like this can provide great support in that regard. What I also like is that it’s regionally focused. I’m from Tilburg myself and this is my first job here, which helps me feel more connected to the region.
If you get the chance to take part in Gen-T, I’d definitely do it. You don’t necessarily need a very specific goal. If it complements your personal or professional development, that’s valuable enough.