Jolien Meeusen: Production Support
The 20-year-old Jolien Meeusen works as a Production Support at Actemium. In this role, she supports a wide range of projects: from assembly and disassembly to CNC, the computer-controlled regulation of machine tools. Sometimes she is involved in larger projects, while other times she handles smaller, more varied tasks.
“My internship at Actemium
was so educational that I never left.”
- Name: Jolien Meeusen
- Age: 20
- Studies: Mechanical Design Techniques (PITO Stabroek)
- Function: Production Support
- Hobbies: Helping out on a farm
Why did you decide to join Actemium after your internship?
Jolien: During and after my internship, I was able to learn so much in a short period of time, thanks to the opportunities I was given every day. I am particularly a fan of the variety that the job brings, which ensures that no two days or weeks are ever the same. In addition, the pleasant contact with colleagues also makes a big difference. I received a lot of support right from the beginning and always got help whenever I had questions. Although I mainly work with men, I immediately felt at home here.
Have you ever felt like you had to prove yourself as a woman?
Jolien: The men I work with now have treated me as an equal from the start. That created a positive and comfortable working environment right away. However, during my studies the situation was different. For a long time, I was the only girl in class, which sometimes led to prejudices, like the assumption that I was physically weaker than the boys. At the time, especially in the beginning, that did put pressure on me to prove myself more. After a while, that feeling faded and I was able to move forward without any restraints.
What advice would you give to other girls who are still deciding what to study?
Jolien: You should always go for what you enjoy doing, even if it is challenging. That is the same advice a teacher once gave me and it really helped guide me along the way. There was a time when I studied a different subject for a while, in consultation with my parents, because being the only girl was starting to affect me. However, it soon became clear that I wanted to return to the field of Mechanical Design Techniques. If you find a field that interests you, do not let anything or anyone hold you back, not even your own fears. I greatly admire people who follow their passion with that attitude and I secretly hope this story might inspire others as well.
