The XXVth board of AEclipse consists of six board members and is tasked with all kinds of strategic and operational responsibilities. Today, we interview our President Jan, who will tell us a bit about who he is, his story and his responsibilities at AEclipse!
Who are you? Tell us a bit about you!
My name is Jan, I’m 22 years old and I am studying master’s in Strategic Management & Financial Economics. This year, I’m taking a “break” and I also do an internship in Germany.
Why did you apply for the board?
I was an active member for two years before I applied for the position. During that time period, I grew to care a lot about the association. My experience as a committee member made me also motivated to try the strategic aspect of running an association, instead of doing committee-specific tasks. Either way, I would have not applied had it not been for the awesome people I met through the association that made me feel welcome and some of whom became my friends.
What is your position within the board? What are your responsibilities?
I am the President. As flashy as the title may sound, my responsibilities are typically very hands-on, while keeping the long term vision of AEclipse in mind. In general, the President is responsible for the smooth running of the board and ensuring everyone is happy. In terms of events, this position is usually responsible for organizing the City Trip, which did not happen this year. However, together with the External Committee, I managed to organize the first edition of the Alumni Event instead.
What was your favourite AEclipse event so far?
My most favorite event so far is actually a series of events, the Economist Week. It took a lot of preparations on the side of the organizing committee but I am very proud of everyone who made it happen.
What do you like the most about being a board member?
What I like about being a board member is mainly the versatility of the role. I get to interact with board members and committee members on a personal basis, while I also get to talk to external parties, such as the alumni, faculty or other study/student associations.
What did you learn this year?
This year, I really learned to appreciate human interaction. As funny as it sounds, being part of a board, with its ups and downs, has helped me a lot to get through this academic year due to the close contact with other board members.
If you know what to apply for or have a general idea, go for it. There’s a lot to learn just from going through the application process and if you’re successful, you get a whole new set of opportunities.
What would you tell someone who is considering applying for a board position?
If you do not know what position to apply for but you want to be a part of the board, I recommend you speak to current board members. They are always very happy to help you out with deciding.
If you do not know if you want to apply, here’s why you should. In the first few years after you graduate, you will probably be working for someone (e.g. a manager) and you might not reach a leadership position until your late 20’s. Being in a board gives you a lot of experience and you get to grow your leadership skills quickly. This might as well benefit you in the future and help you become more successful in your career.
If you have any questions about the position of President, don't hesitate to reach out to president@aeclipse.nl!
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