Danique combines her job as junior project engineer with a study

Danique is taking the Bachelor's part-time degree in Integrated Construction Management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and is now in her second year. We asked how she finds it to combine work and study and what exactly her job entails.

Why did you decide to do a graduate internship at Ballast Nedam?

"I studied MBO civil engineering and wanted to do as many different internships as possible during my studies. The first internship I did with a small contractor and the second with an architectural firm. My final graduation internship I wanted to do at a large company. And then I came in contact with Ballast Nedam during an open house at our school."

What did your graduate internship look like?

"During my graduation internship, I worked in both site management and project engineering. I especially enjoyed organising all sorts of things. My internship supervisor also said that project engineering really suited me. At the end of my internship, Ballast Nedam was keen to keep me. They offered me a job as well as a study contract."

And was that love mutual?

"Yes, definitely. I had always planned to go to hbo after mbo, but I preferred not to study full-time. So this is the perfect combination for me. I now work four days as a junior project engineer at Ballast Nedam West. And on Tuesdays I'm at school all day. It's quite challenging, but fortunately my colleagues are very understanding. It's also great that two former mbo students started their jobs at Ballast Nedam and the study Integral Construction Management simultaneously with me."

What do you do as a junior project engineer?

"I work alongside the project engineer on the new construction project 41 Ambachten and can ask him all my questions. In short, we make sure everything is ready for implementation. We check technical drawings, discuss quotations with the Procurement department and maintain contact with our people and subcontractors. That's why we also go to the construction site once a week."

How do you like your job and studies so far?

"Very much. I have great colleagues, the atmosphere is nice and I get very proper supervision. I also like my studies, although it took some getting used to. But I've found my routine now. And I'm still thankful every day that Ballast Nedam gave me the opportunity to do a HBO study alongside my job. I always mention that to potential interns when they are curious about the possibilities."