“Even before I officially graduated, I signed my first contract”

Master of Sociology Anouk Van Aken: “In 2024 I graduated as a sociologist at the VUB. Today I work as a Junior HR Business Partner at Patronale Life, an insurance company with several subsidiaries active in, among other things, sustainable energy, property development, and mortgage loans. In my role, I try to build a bridge between the company’s strategy and HR policy so that both are aligned as successfully as possible.

“Since September 2024 I have been working there full‑time — the step felt very logical and natural”

After that internship, they asked me to stay on as a student worker, one or two days a week. That was easy to combine with my sociology timetable, which offered enough flexibility. In this way, I ultimately worked for two years as a student at Patronale Life and was able to learn about several facets of HR. When I graduated, the step towards a permanent job felt very logical and natural. Since September 2024 I have been working there full‑time. 

"KEPS meant a great deal to me: it was a real community where I felt at home from the first year"

The transition from being a student to becoming an employee went particularly smoothly for me. Because I already knew the company, the people, and the work processes very well, it did not feel like a big leap. I was able to gradually expand my responsibilities and was given the time to grow into my role. Today I mainly work project‑based, among other things on developing an HR platform that allows employees to arrange leave, teleworking, and other HR matters. That enables us to collect consistent data and better substantiate our policies.
During my studies I was very engaged in student life. KEPS meant a great deal to me: it was a real community where I felt at home from the first year. I took on several responsibilities, including in recruitment, was president in my fourth year, and organised the job fair myself in my fifth year. Those commitments not only taught me organisational and social skills but also directly contributed to my professional path.
Today I am glad to be working. I look back on my student years with great satisfaction, but I also enjoy the structure and balance that working brings. I also remain closely involved with the VUB and my student association through an active alumni network.”

Master in Computer Science Dries van de Steen: “In 2022 I obtained my master’s degree in computer science, in the Software Languages and Software Engineering track. That programme not only gave me a solid technical foundation but also taught me to think critically and to approach complex problems in a structured way.

“I was able to discover for myself which companies at the fair seemed interesting — that’s how I came into contact with Planet Talent” 

After the job fair, a recruitment process followed with interviews and a case study. Since I was also applying at other companies and had already received offers, I asked whether the process could be accelerated. Planet Talent dealt with that flexibly and adjusted their planning, which for me was an important sign of mutual trust. Even before I officially graduated, I signed my first contract.

"During my first years on the labour market, I received very good training and guidance from Planet Talent"

As a consultant, I worked for two clients. With the first client, I had the role of integration engineer, responsible for integrating different software systems to enable data exchange. With the second client, I worked as a full‑stack developer. There I discovered that the combination of backend development and frontend interfaces suited me best. Working on complete applications, from server logic to user interface, gave me great satisfaction.
During my first years on the labour market, I received very good training and guidance from Planet Talent. That support made the transition from student to professional much smoother and gave me plenty of room to learn and grow.
Since mid‑January, I have been working at Egov Select, a non‑profit organisation responsible for recruitment for the federal government. The content of my job has remained largely similar — I also work as a full‑stack developer — but the context has changed. Practical considerations, such as long commutes and organisational changes at my previous client, made this transition logical.”

Industrial Engineer Nils Mens: “In September 2025 I obtained my degree in industrial engineering. Shortly afterwards, I was able to start as a test engineer at Atlas Copco, within the Oil‑free Air (R&D) department. In this role, I work on testing and evaluating compressors. 

“The conversation with the engineer was decisive for me: the subject matter of compressors perfectly matched my interests” 

At Atlas Copco, I spoke at the fair with both someone from HR and an engineer. The conversation with HR gave me insight into the company culture and general operations, while with the engineer I could delve deeper into the technical content of the job. I was particularly drawn to the subject matter of compressors, because it matched closely with my specialisation in transport technology and my interests. That was the deciding factor for me.

"You work, and after work you have free time — even more than I did as a student"

After the job fair, a structured application process followed. This consisted of a first interview with HR, a technical test, and later conversations on site with my future supervisor and a colleague. During that visit, I also received a guided tour, which gave me a clear picture of the working environment. Finally, I had a conversation with the vice‑president and received a salary proposal through HR. The fact that I had always been active in the Polytechnical Circle and the umbrella association certainly worked in my favour.
Since I started, four months ago, I have experienced the job largely as expected. The transition from studying to working required some adjustment, but I received good guidance and now work in a team with pleasant colleagues. I like the routine of professional life. You work, and after work you have free time — even more than I did as a student. How do I see my future? For now, I feel good in my current job and I certainly see myself working at Atlas Copco for several more years.”

Master of Laws Phoebe Janssens: “In June 2025 I obtained my master’s degree in law, with a specialisation in Law & Technology. Shortly afterwards, I started as a trainee lawyer at Nelissen Grade. My choice for the legal profession did not come naturally, but grew step by step throughout my studies and experiences beyond them.

“The transition from studying to working required a clear adjustment, but I notice that I learn something every day and continue to grow professionally” 

That experience confirmed for me that I really wanted to start at the bar. At that time, I was still doubting between several possibilities, but the internship gave me direction and confidence. Later job fairs remained valuable, even when they did not immediately lead to a job. They helped me present myself better, ask more targeted questions, and gain a clearer picture of what I did and did not want within the legal world.

"Those board functions shaped me tremendously. I learned to lead, collaborate, plan, and communicate"

Besides my studies, I was also strongly engaged within VRG. In 2023–2024 I was president and the year after that PR manager. Those board functions shaped me tremendously. I learned to lead, collaborate, plan, and communicate with different people and organisations. I especially noticed strong personal growth: I became more self‑confident, dared to express my opinion, and learned to stand up for myself and for the group I represented.
The transition from studying to working required a clear adjustment. The freedom of student life made way for longer workdays and more responsibility. At the same time, I notice that I learn something every day and continue to grow professionally. The guidance from my trainee supervisor is essential in that regard. For the future, I mainly hope to have a job that gives me satisfaction, with room for personal development and a healthy work–life balance. Where exactly that will be, I will see later, but for the time being I am completely in the right place.”