The Chemelot Young Professional Sessions (CHYPS) are organized by the Young Professional board, but who are we and what do we do?
Who are you?
I’m Lizzy Jones, a British national living in Maasticht for the past 2.5 years. I love spending time outdoors, whether for sport and activities or relaxing and socialising. When kept inside you can often find me in the kitchen as I’m also a keen home baker. I graduated with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 2015 and moved to work as a research scientist for DSM in 2017.
What do you do?
During my academic study I focused on synthesis and characterisation of polymer colloids. After a short post doc in the UK I joined DSM Materials Science Centre (DMSC) to shift to more applied research. DMSC is the shared research group for all DSM materials businesses, as such I work on a variety of topics depending on the focus and priority. In my role so far I have participated in projects for solar, resins, coatings and energy storage applications. Day to day my time is split between practical lab activities, project management and communication.
Why the YP board?
When I arrived at campus the CHYPS sessions had just started, I joined several events and really enjoyed them. The content provided was interesting but perhaps even more important for me was the opportunity to connect with other young professionals on campus. Only when joining these events did I really start to get a better idea of the range of companies present and activities being undertaken around me! When I was asked to join the board it was an easy decision – I think it is important to provide this platform for all our young professionals and hope to help expand this.
What do you think are the right tips & tricks for young talent at campus?
Whether you work on campus for a short period or on a permanent basis you should take the opportunity to connect with people here. There is such a range of people with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences and therefore so much you can learn from them. The organised sessions are a great way to start expanding your network, but also don’t be afraid to reach out to people most likely they will be open and make time to meet you.
How do you see the future?
The future is what we make of it. As young professionals today we need to step up and be the leaders of tomorrow. We are faced with many daunting challenges and for sure solutions will not come easily, but the attitude and determination I feel from peers makes me optimistic. I see a bright future with lots of innovative ideas and positive changes starting to move us in the right direction. One person may not be able to make the change alone, but we must aim to inspire to allow collaborations to succeed.
For more information and latest news on the young professionals community on campus visit the website.
(Photo credit: Annabel Romijn)
