Afbeelding
“I realised I wanted to teach when I was following the Communication programme at NHL Stenden myself over ten years ago. There was nothing I wanted more than to be a part of the open and warm atmosphere the programme had, and when I wanted to try out giving workshops and courses as part of my studies, I immediately got the opportunity. So, actually, I was already familiar with teaching and my love of being able to pass on knowledge has stayed with me. Over the years, I’ve often been able to give guest lectures and have regularly assessed fourth year students’ final assignments.”
Continuous development
“The freedom NHL Stenden gives you to develop was clear back then, and it’s continued. There are so many different directions you can take and as you really are supported in your choices, there was no need for me to hide the fact that I wanted to teach. I wasn’t yet qualified to teach when the vacancy came up for a lecturer on the Communication programme and Ad Online Content Creator, but the position was perfect for me. Fortunately, I was able to apply anyway because I really felt his was exactly what I wanted. And even now as a lecturer, I’m being given everything I need to develop, both as a lecturer and in my field of expertise.”
A creative process
“The opportunities to develop your own skills are reflected in the educational concept we use, design-based education. You work through a creative process with students so that they slowly but surely come up with the answer themselves. It’s incredibly challenging but really rewarding to see what students are capable of when given the right push. Sometimes students exceed my expectations, and when that happens, I can sit through a 1.5-hour presentation with the broadest grin on my face – and I’m still smiling an hour later! Everything about communication makes me happy and it’s brilliant to be able to pass that enthusiasm on to students. That’s when I think I really do have the best job around.”
Trial and error
“Even though the switch has felt right, I still had some uncertainties. I think lecturing is quite nerve-racking and I regularly face new challenges. Yet as a lecturer, you also have to learn by doing and it’s all by trial and error. The good thing is that I’m not on my own in these kinds of situations. We’ve got a what’s app group of new lecturers and we share experiences and sometimes organise peer reviews. We’re all experiencing things for the first time and it’s really nice that we can help each other.”
The chance to be myself
“The programme has obviously changed over the years in terms of content, but the atmosphere is still the same. NHL Stenden is a place where lecturers and students know each other by name. No-one is a number. You also see that lecturers really love their field and have professional experience. The great think is that you can use that in your teaching. I’m free to use my knowledge how I want, which means I can really be myself in the classes I give and even use my warped sense of humour. Right from the start, I’ve felt I’ve been able to just be myself. That kind of open atmosphere is what makes working here so great.”