PREMIUM Career Preparation Month
Bridging the Gap Between Study and Career!
This special initiative, in line with PREMIUM’s mission to “bridge the gap between study and career,” offers a series of workshops, activities, and events tailored to help you prepare even better for your future.
Some workshops are also part of the regular offering of PREMIUM, and therefore count towards your workshop attendance:
- Contract Negotiation Skills;
- Art of Effective Networking;
- Sustainable Career Event.
Take advantage of these opportunities to prepare for your career, expand your network, and gain invaluable insights—all in line with our commitment to helping you bridge the gap between study and career. Remember, participation is voluntary and free of charge. Sign up for the events that interest you the most and start building your future today!
Sign up for the Career Preparation Month Activities & Events
Trainer
Lars Smits (SSC)
Inspiring and coaching individuals at Maastricht University’s Career Services (SSC) and Crimson Education to discover their purpose and pursue meaningful paths is my daily motivation. I firmly believe that when people have a genuine understanding of their “Why?”, the “What?” and “How?” naturally fall into place. Through personalized counseling and training, I guide students in finding their “Ikigai” and realizing their personal and professional aspirations. As they take the wheel, I hold the mirror and provide guidance, ensuring a seamless journey toward their next desired destination. Leveraging my extensive international network and past work experiences, I facilitate their smooth transition from high school to uni and from uni to their first job.
Trainers
Rud Pedersen Public Affairs
Rud Pedersen is one of Europe’s top Public Affairs consultancies with Nordic roots and a pan-European presence across several European countries. We will offer you an engaging workshop led by our experts Marije Laffeber, Federico Narducci, and Paula Pecorelli.
As a Public Affairs Partner, we help our clients navigate political systems. We ensure that our clients understand the impact of policy and politics on their organisations and work with them to strategically reach their goals. At Rud Pedersen Public Affairs, we aim to facilitate meaningful, constructive communication between businesses and stakeholders within the public sector to find the best mutually beneficial solutions to some of the most complex issues facing businesses today.
As a Public Affairs Partner, we help our clients navigate political systems. We ensure that our clients understand the impact of policy and politics on their organisations and work with them to strategically reach their goals. At Rud Pedersen Public Affairs, we aim to facilitate meaningful, constructive communication between businesses and stakeholders within the public sector to find the best mutually beneficial solutions to some of the most complex issues facing businesses today.
Trainer
Laura Mantilla (LifeVersity)
Laura is a dedicated trainer specializing in the soft skills required for effective media and new technology use. With a background in communication and interactive media, she empowers students to maximize the potential of digital tools. Originally from Peru, Laura earned her master’s in the Netherlands. She thrives in international environments because of the diverse insights that come from such settings. She has extensive experience in digital marketing and digital transformation, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of generative AI’s impact across various business stages and industries. Laura led the design of our GenAI Essentials masterclass, piloted at Erasmus University Rotterdam in May 2024, and is currently spearheading its redesign and expansion to a 6-week course to incorporate updates like ChatGPT-4.0. She is passionate about the opportunities generative AI presents while being mindful of its limitations and risks. Her proactive approach and curiosity into new tech, apps, and gadgets ensure students are well -prepared to navigate the digital landscape with confidence.
Trainer
Quincy Aitatus (Sparke & Keane)
As a consultant at Sparke and Keane, my energy is focused on ‘doing’. Making difficult things easy. Not for you, but with you. Work realistically with what is already there. With a fresh look and a strict process. Step by step focused on simplicity and results. Because that gives confidence and drive.
At Sparke and Keane we are experts in:
– Strategy Consulting
– Project & Program management
-Finance & Control
– Digital Transformation
We do this with our team of more than 100 consultants, from university working students to executives. Broadly interested and trained in controlling, audit, econometrics, information management, strategic management or business administration. What we have in common is that we have all been trained with a lean belt.
Trainer
Susanne Maris (Maris et al)
Susanne Maris is a specialized trainer and coach for academic top talents. Over the last decade, she has worked with thousands of academics and researchers in Europe and the US.
Her focus lies with pitching and leadership. Originally, she was trained as a clinical and an organizational psychologist at the University of Amsterdam.
Helping thinkers move from insight to action; that’s what gives Susanne her energy. After a workshop, participants go home with a concrete and doable action plan to make their work and life better. In her free time she experiments with fermenting vegetables, practices yoga in her garden every morning and she swims in the sea (almost) all year round.
Her focus lies with pitching and leadership. Originally, she was trained as a clinical and an organizational psychologist at the University of Amsterdam.
Helping thinkers move from insight to action; that’s what gives Susanne her energy. After a workshop, participants go home with a concrete and doable action plan to make their work and life better. In her free time she experiments with fermenting vegetables, practices yoga in her garden every morning and she swims in the sea (almost) all year round.
Trainer
Susanne Maris (Maris et al)
Susanne Maris is a specialized trainer and coach for academic top talents. Over the last decade, she has worked with thousands of academics and researchers in Europe and the US.
Her focus lies with pitching and leadership. Originally, she was trained as a clinical and an organizational psychologist at the University of Amsterdam.
Helping thinkers move from insight to action; that’s what gives Susanne her energy. After a workshop, participants go home with a concrete and doable action plan to make their work and life better. In her free time she experiments with fermenting vegetables, practices yoga in her garden every morning and she swims in the sea (almost) all year round.
Her focus lies with pitching and leadership. Originally, she was trained as a clinical and an organizational psychologist at the University of Amsterdam.
Helping thinkers move from insight to action; that’s what gives Susanne her energy. After a workshop, participants go home with a concrete and doable action plan to make their work and life better. In her free time she experiments with fermenting vegetables, practices yoga in her garden every morning and she swims in the sea (almost) all year round.
External event organizer
Meet the Youngsters
Meet the Youngsters is an online career platform that is designed to help students, alumni and young professionals to start their career. This platform gives you the opportunity to match and connect with several innovative and inspiring employers throughout Limburg.
We offer career opportunities such as several internships, traineeships and jobs for you as young talent. You want to kick start your career today? You want to know where your chances lie? Take control and start today! Register now, create your personal profile and start matching and connecting.
Trainer
Mariana Batista (Key2advance)
Mariana is a BSIS alumnus who graduated with a Master of Arts in International Conflict and Security with a specialization in International Migration in 2019. She works as a Senior Advisor – Education & Skills for WindEurope, and is a Senior Trainer for Key2advance.
As such, she provides essential career guidance, strategies, and opportunities to propel BA, MA, and PhD students as they transition into the job market through personalized advice and workshops.
As such, she provides essential career guidance, strategies, and opportunities to propel BA, MA, and PhD students as they transition into the job market through personalized advice and workshops.
Trainer
Bibi Linssen (Ontdek & Benut)
Listening, recognizing patterns and connecting people and concepts – that’s what I do best.
Be it as a coach for young adults, trying to find their way to the labour market. Or as a trainer, facilitating team dynamics and group learning. As a project consultant, co-ordinating tasks and getting things done.
Whatever I do, I like to question, to connect and co-create with colleagues, students and other stakeholders. I prefer to work based on principles of Design Thinking, Appreciative Inquiry and LEAN – always looking for result and added value. As a trainer / facilitator I enjoy creating a light-hearted and safe environment in which change is not a threat, but a challenge that can be approached in a playful way.
Specialties: Change management, (student) employability, coaching, team dynamics, and LEAN in service industries.
Be it as a coach for young adults, trying to find their way to the labour market. Or as a trainer, facilitating team dynamics and group learning. As a project consultant, co-ordinating tasks and getting things done.
Whatever I do, I like to question, to connect and co-create with colleagues, students and other stakeholders. I prefer to work based on principles of Design Thinking, Appreciative Inquiry and LEAN – always looking for result and added value. As a trainer / facilitator I enjoy creating a light-hearted and safe environment in which change is not a threat, but a challenge that can be approached in a playful way.
Specialties: Change management, (student) employability, coaching, team dynamics, and LEAN in service industries.
Trainer
Adina Petre (Insights)
I’m a clinical psychologist with a double specialization in trauma therapy and high-performance coaching. Having had my business up and running for the past 14 years, I have gained experience in working with people and supporting them in recovering, enhancing and elevating their mental health and their capacity for high performance in their studies or their workplace. I put all my skills and knowledge into my long-standing collaboration with EDLAB because I love offering the best possible service to the students and staff who attend my workshops. Looking forward to working with you!
Trainer
Mona Shair-Wloch (Key2advance)
Mona Shair-Wloch is the founder and principal trainer of key2advance, a coaching, training, career services and internship coordination consultancy. From 2007-2013, she led a high profile internship program at the European Parliament in Brussels for students from all over the world under the patronage of Pat Cox, former president of the European Parliament. Since 2010, she secured and coordinated internships for students at multiple universities and has coached recent graduates into finding opportunities that match their skills and interests. She has extensive experience in helping students gain clarity on their target career sector, enhancing their application documents and providing them with necessary skills for a successful school to work transition.