Knowledge and skills
By Claire Vos | Delegate NAHSS 2022
At the university you learn a lot of theories, methods and often applications, but for many situations you get limited practical and hands-on experiences to apply your knowledge. Fortunately, I have a very different experience in this regard. My study is closely connected to many companies, and they often visit our campus. However, this was not the case for all studies, and was indeed the situation for my teammates and many of my fellow NAHSS participants.
That’s why this is the perfect opportunity to see and experience how your knowledge can be applied in practice. The cases presented, in my opinion, were very relevant, and our group-partner, BYD, presented us with a challenging task, which we took on with enthusiasm and diligence. Being in direct contact with the company, in my case BYD, was very inspiring. This also provided more motivation, as there was enthusiasm from both sides.
Team BYD at the Kick-Off weekend
Team dinner after successful first meeting at BYD office Schiedam
Not only is the NAHHS consulting project a great opportunity to dive into working world, it also offers the chance to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team. In my team you could find students with a wide range of backgrounds, form Industrial design at TU/e, which is what I study, to Business Administration at Radboud and International Relations & Organizations at Leiden University. Working together with such diverse fields of study results in a more holistic and comprehensive project, which leads to a successful outcome and a satisfied partner. Additionally, you learn a lot about communication because you might not necessarily speak the same professional languages, so you have to learn to navigate this. You also learn to adopt new perspectives and acquire new skills from your teammates!
In short, it is a highly recommended course to embark on this journey where the consultancy project plays a significant role that certainly contributes to your personal learning process. Furthermore, it is super interesting, incredibly fun, and you will make lasting friendships along the way.
Happy and tired faces after two unforgettable weeks in Singapore with the winning team