Interview: Emma van der Vet - Data & Growth Coordinator, 53rd Board of MAEUR
20/03/2022Interview Data & Growth Coordinator
Interview with the 53rd Board: Data & Growth Coordinator
Passport
- Full name: Emma van der Vet
- Age: 23
- Position within board: Data & Growth Coordinator
- Studies: Economics & Business Economics, Data Science & Marketing Analytics
- Favorite drink: Pink Gin Tonic
What to expect of a board year?
Why did you choose this position within the MAEUR board?
I have a background in Economics and Business Economics and Data Science & Marketing Analytics. Last year I joined the Data Science & Marketing Analytics committee at MAEUR and really enjoyed organizing events together with my amazing committee for my fellow master students. I had so much fun and liked all MAEUR events that I decided to apply for the MAEUR board. Also, I heard there would be a new position added to the board: the Data and Growth Coordinator. This position would be the perfect challenge for me to combine my interests in Data Analytics & Marketing and explore the possibilities of a whole new position.
What can any prospective applicants expect from a board year with MAEUR?
First of all, a lot of fun! You will make unforgettable memories with your fellow board members, who will become really important people in your life. You will share so many amazing great experiences together and grow together as a board. As a board member you get a lot of responsibilities, it’s like running a small firm together. Within your function you will have many tasks that will give you more experience in the working field and is definitely an advantage for your working life. You will organize many events, develop your management skills and get to work with a lot of interesting companies in the marketing and data working field. Furthermore, you will experience how it is to work together in a close team, how to make important and sometimes last-minute decisions and perform under pressure. You will have the opportunity to create your own network of students, active members, alumni, and professionals from various businesses. An important network that you can reach out to during your board year, but also in the future.
What did this function bring you this year on a professional level?
On a professional level it brought me a lot of things such as many skills that I did not have before joining the MAEUR board. For example, I brought my Google Analytics and SEO knowledge to the next level. I had some working experience and did a very nice internship but during the board year I got a lot of responsibilities and learned many management skills that I did not know before. Also, I got to meet a lot of people with the same interests and people from different companies with interesting jobs. This helps me to become more aware of the direction I would like to go into in my professional career.
And on a personal level?
On a personal level I am very honored to have met so many new people this year. First of all, my six amazing fellow board members with whom I got to spend so much time. Together we organized a lot of events and got to oversee eleven committees with incredible active members. In addition, we got to meet and work with a lot of other board members of different associations.
Day-to-day tasks
What does an average day within your function look like?
The first thing I do in the morning is check my email and see what my day looks like. What are my to do’s and when can I work on my day-to-day tasks? I often have some meetings with one of the committees I oversee or with one of my fellow board members! I'm very lucky that my function got work closely with everyone within the board. I will work on the website and things that need to be done before it will appear on the website. I check how it goes with the forms that are up and how the subscriptions for the events are going. Also, I will check Google Analytics and work on our feedback book that consists of all feedback of participants and companies from past events. When we can, we try to end our day in De Smitse to have some drinks and end our day well together.
What tasks did you like the most?
I actually really liked organizing the Marketing and Data Analytics Thesis Awards. It is really inspiring to see so many interesting topics in the same field from fellow students and have contact with them and professors of both fields. Also, I really liked improving my Google Analytics, SEO and website skills.
Challenges & successes
What are some of the position-related challenges you overcame this year - or not?
Because my position was new this year, it was and still is very challenging to fill in this position. Many important tasks that were a bit at the bottom of the list, I picked up as well. This means I got to support my fellow board members with their tasks quite a lot. I very much enjoy this but sometimes it is hard to fully focus on the tasks that in the end mainly belong to my position. Therefore, I learnt that it is very important to block time for this in my agenda. Also, the growth-hacker of this year’s Marketing & Branding Committee really helps me with improving the digitalisation of the association and supports me with innovating and getting closer to our long-term goals of our association. One position-related challenge for me was also presenting for many people. I got to chance to overcome this by presenting the Erasmus Marketing Thesis Awards and Data & Analytics Thesis Awards this year.
What achievement(s) from the past year are you most proud of?
In general, setting up my own role within the board. In the first part of the year it was very busy with operational and supportive tasks but for the second part of the year I shifted my focus to the more data driven part. This is what I really enjoy and love to expand my skills in.
What is your most memorable moment from the past year?
I must say the ‘Wisselweekend’ with the former 52nd MAEUR Board. Getting to know your fellow board members you will be working with during this weekend and working together on a lot of tasks was good for bonding well with each other. Also, the Branco tradition has been handed over to us as well, which makes every MAEUR night a mystery.
In general, what did you like most about a board year?
Working together to organize big successful events and getting the opportunity to meet so many interesting and inspiring people as well as companies. I also really enjoyed our monthly drinks and Active Members Nights!
Advice
What would you say to someone considering a board year at MAEUR?
APPLY! You will be very sorry if you have not applied for a position! For me, this has been an unforgettable last year of my academic studies in which I learned so much. I obtained so many skills that I would not have gained during lecture talks. I made really good friendships and it gave me more clarity about the direction I would like to go into professionally.
What wise advice would you give your successor?
Enjoy and challenge yourself! The Data and Growth Coordinator role is very broad, and you can really make it your own. If you love data, innovation and want to improve your Google Analytics, SEO, and advertising skills (to name a few things), it is perfect for you! If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me!