Stories
If you're wondering what career paths other alumni have taken, you're not alone. Many graduates and students are curious about the professional journeys of their classmates, and for a good reason. Hearing about the experiences and successes of others can be inspiring and provide valuable insights for your career development.
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Occasionally, we feature one of our alumni and provide insights into their career journey below. If you would like to share your story, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Journey of Ellen Dirkx - April 2024
Ellen Dirkx
Current position: Head of department of local cultural policy and heritage
Year of Graduation: 2021
"Would you mind taking a moment to introduce yourself to our alumni who may not have met you yet?"
Of course, my name is Ellen Dirkx, and I am 27 years old. I am originally from Maasmechelen. My passions are nature, culture, and heritage. In my spare time, I study photographic art and forestry. I enjoy hiking immensely, and you can also find me regularly on the padel court and in yoga classes. In addition, I am a social bird who likes to spend time with friends and enjoys concerts and parties.
In 2014, I embarked on my academic journey in Biomedical Sciences at UHasselt in Diepenbeek. Following my bachelor's degree, I pursued a master's in Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Since I was not tired of studying, I subsequently enrolled in another master's program specialising in educational sciences, focusing on biology and chemistry. Because, as a child, I always wanted to be a teacher. During my last master's, the COVID pandemic started, which made it difficult to find a job when I graduated. I found a temporary job at the COVID test centre in Maasmechelen, eventually ascending to coordinator and acquiring valuable management skills. During this period, I crossed paths with the Local Administration of Maasmechelen and stumbled upon a vacancy for the Head of the Department for Cultural Policy and Heritage, a role demanding a master's degree. Recognising a perfect alignment between my interests and the position's requirements, I took a leap of faith and applied. Against all odds, I got the job. I have been employed in this position for 2.5 years, and I thoroughly enjoy it.
Those around me initially thought I was crazy to work for a local government with my background. However, following my internship in the biomedical field, I realised that I lacked the same level of enthusiasm as my peers. The laboratory environment did not suit my preferences; the long waiting times for results and the sterile, solitary nature of the work could not captivate me. I am a real people person. I love to engage with the beauty of the world, and I did not find it in the lab.
"Could you provide a brief overview of your career?"
"What are the specific responsibilities and duties of your job?"
I have an extensive range of duties. Besides the cultural and heritage aspects, I am also responsible for the development cooperation and community centres. Regarding Culture and Heritage, my responsibilities include monitoring the Culture Council and developing cultural projects such as the Culture Prize, the Honorary Citizenship, Heritage Day and many other events. I also allocate cultural subsidies and have a seat in the supra-local project association ECRU to work across borders. Moreover, I collaborate with politicians to devise a contemporary cultural policy for Maasmechelen that addresses the diverse needs of its residents.
Reflecting on my journey, I wouldn't have made any significant changes. My path to this job may have been unusual, but it has given me valuable experience and insights I would not have had otherwise. My studies in Biomedical Sciences gave me a critical view of the world, which is necessary in a world that bombards you with thousands of theories and opinions. Subsequently, with my master's in education, I gained skills in public speaking and effectively communicating information clearly and organised to diverse audiences. My forestry education taught me that communication is vital and that people only rebel when they lack information on the 'how' and 'why' behind actions. I've often expressed that if given the chance to start again, I would have pursued architecture, as I like to be creative. But I've heard here and there that this is no longer the core business of the study, so I'm very happy with the choices I've made.
"Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?"
"Is there anything, in particular, you would like to share with the other alumni?"
Yes, I want to emphasise the importance of following your passion rather than being satisfied with something that is merely 'good enough'. Given that we dedicate at least 38 hours a week to our work, it's crucial that we engage in work that truly ignites our passion and brings us fulfilment.
Chasing our passions may sometimes feel intimidating, particularly when stepping into unfamiliar territory or embracing risks. However, that passion gives us the drive and determination to persevere despite busy schedules and daunting challenges. Moreover, it empowers us to unlock our full potential and excel in our endeavours.
So, to all alumni, dare to dream and pursue what makes you truly happy. Do not let the fear of the unknown or societal pressures dictate your path. Ultimately, the journey towards fulfilling our passion makes our lives valuable.
Journey of Jobbe Ramaekers - July 2023
Jobbe Ramaekers
Current position: Supply Chain Young Graduate (Trainee) at Janssen Pharmaceuticals (J&J)
Year of Graduation: 2020
"Would you mind taking a moment to introduce yourself to our alumni who may not have met you yet?"
I am Jobbe, a former student of Biomedical Sciences from Hasselt University. I followed both my bachelor's trajectory and my master's in biomedical sciences at Hasselt University. As a master, I chose to follow the Bioelectronics and Nanotechnology (BEN) specialization. For me the choice for BEN was obvious. During my bachelor years, I felt I gained a profound knowledge of the biological pathways that thrive within a healthy individual and how minor alterations can cause diseases. However, as fascinating as I found this matter, I felt I missed the bigger picture. I wanted to get a better understanding of chemistry and physics in order to identify new, innovative pathways to cure or prevent diseases. This is where I came in touch with bionanotechnology. A field that I find truly intriguing up to this day. As I wished to pursue a career in science in the field of bionanotechnology, I looked for a senior internship abroad. I came in touch with Prof. Dr. Nico Bruns, who at the time was a professor at Strathclyde University, Glasgow. After indulging myself in the work of Prof. Bruns I decided that I would like to perform my internship in his group. Prof. Bruns was willing to accept me into his group and I was able to perform very interesting research on polymersomes. At the end of my internship, I was granted the opportunity to be an author on a paper together with other members of the group.
My career started as a Ph.D. student at the University of Strathclyde in the group of Nico Bruns. I received a grant for proceeding with my work on polymersomes. However, I discovered that something was missing quite soon. Even though science fascinates me up to this day, I felt that I was somehow missing impact. I truly believe that every scientist makes an impact, but for me, this kind of impact was not tangible enough. I wanted to see direct results and feel that I was able to change someone’s life for the better. So I took a drastic decision and I resigned from my Ph.D. position and returned to Belgium. I sought contact with multiple professionals within my network: (former) scientists from academia, scientists in industry, professionals in regulatory positions, business analysts, plant directors, innovation managers, etc. After reevaluation of my career, I decided to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical supply chain. I applied for a traineeship at Janssen Pharmaceuticals and in the end, I was given the opportunity to start at Janssen in Belgium. The traineeship I applied for is a rotational program where I am able to switch to a new function every year for 3 consecutive years. This gives me the opportunity to discover my strengths and interests in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
"Could you provide a brief overview of your career?"
"What are the specific responsibilities and duties of your job?"
During my first rotation I worked as a reliability engineer within a sterile packaging department. Interestingly enough, the department that I was working in produced several pharmaceutical products that are based on nanoparticles. However, I was not working on the science side of it anymore. My responsibility was to keep the production line running, analyze why we were losing time in production, and then finally propose solutions that would help to make the production lines more efficiently. During this time I learned a lot regarding GMP manufacturing, and project and budget management. I also took several courses regarding lean, manufacturing. My second year I took up the role of a people leader. I became responsible for a team of 30+ employees and an entire production department consisting of over 6 production lines. I learned how to lead a team and how to develop and coach individuals. People leading is a very interesting and challenging job. I would recommend it to everyone to take up a people leading role once to discover if it is something that gives you energy.
I would have looked for opportunities to go outside academia during my time at University. Even if I wouldn’t have liked the pharmaceutical industry, I would have learned a lot regarding the differences with academia. It would have made my choice for academia a more deliberate one. I also wished I learned more soft skills during my studies. For instance, information regarding different types of personalities, how they interact, and how to use this knowledge to obtain goals that would otherwise not have been possible.
"Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?"
"Is there anything, in particular, you would like to share with the other alumni?"
This may sound very cliché, but think outside of the box. Both during your work, as well as during your career path. I found an unexpected passion in my current job that I wasn’t even aware of when I graduated. Try to discover what else interests you as you work your way through your education. Try to get a broader view: show interest both in academia as in industry. Also, do invest in soft skills. Learn about communication, learn about your own personality: what are your strengths, what are your weaknesses? In case you want to get started with this search information regarding DISC personalities, change management, project management methods, and lean principles. Even if your goal is to become a scientist in academia, I truly believe that knowledge of these topics will give you an edge over others who are not proficient in these things.
Journey of Bieke Broux - May 2023
Prof. Dr. Bieke Broux
Current position: Assistant Professor of Immunology
Year of Graduation: 2007
"Would you mind taking a moment to introduce yourself to our alumni who may not have met you yet?"
I am Bieke Broux, graduated in 2006-2007 in Biomedical Sciences. I am from Zonhoven and still live there. I am married and have two daughters. I teach Immunology at UHasselt, after a Ph.D. at UHasselt, a postdoc in Canada, and then a return to UHasselt. I teach immunology and genetics to students of biomedical sciences and medicine. My team's research focuses on unraveling neuroimmune interactions in the context of multiple sclerosis disease.
During my master's, I interned in BIOMED on the topic of MS under Prof. Stinissen and Prof. Hellings. After that, several assistant positions became available on various topics. Prof. Stinissen then asked, "Don't you like that? Part teaching, part research?" Then I was hired as an assistant in immunology, six years of teaching immunology, genetics, and research on cells in MS. Until 2013, I was working on my doctorate. After this, I asked myself the question, what next? I want to do a postdoc, but I also want to see something other than Hasselt and Biomed. Prof. Hellings had contacts in Canada. During my Ph.D., I had already gone there to do experiments. But I also wanted to see if it was a place where I might want to do a postdoc. On returning, I started writing grant applications at random. I wrote a total of seven applications and then got one. With an FWO postdoc grant, I went to Canada for two years to research MS and immunology, but it moved slowly toward blood-brain barrier (BBB) research. In the 3rd year, I returned to implement the techniques I learned in Biomed. Back in Belgium, I set up all the BBB models on a new project and was then able to start up small projects via master students.
With additional funding, I grew into that new research line. I became more and more independent as a Postdoc, and at that moment, I was lucky that a professor position became available. I applied for the position, and in September 2021, I became an assistant professor.
"Could you provide a brief overview of your career?"
"What are the specific responsibilities and duties of your job?"
My current job as a professor was quite a surprise for me too. Initially, I believed it would be an extension of my postdoc, but the first year proved incredibly challenging with the myriad of responsibilities that come with the role.
I will always remember my first year as a professor. I had to teach a new course, so all hands on deck to get that in order. I knew my research team was there. But I'll never forget how much extra was involved. It was not just teaching and research. It involved a lot of meetings with various councils."Research was a leisure activity." I am now a 2nd-year professor. Every year we have an evaluation of my teaching, publications, etc. This evaluation was favorable to me, so now I can move on. I really like the teaching part of my job. Education is essential and as important as research.
I would have done my Ph.D. abroad instead of my postdoc.
"Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?"
"Is there anything, in particular, you would like to share with the other alumni?"
"Keep going" You're going to experience crises. I've had that myself. You're going to get to know yourself during your career.
Another thing I want to share is that I am the first in my family to go to a university. So I want to show that even "first gen" students can go pretty far