Alumnus testimonial
Lisanne - Environmental Technology
“My name is Lisanne Keijzer. I studied both the BSc and MSc Environmental Sciences, with the specialisation Environmental Technology.”
Studying in Wageningen has given me a better understanding of what CAN contribute to a better environment and has made me a more earth conscious person all around.
Since you graduated, what kind of jobs did you have?
“I have worked for 2 different consultancy organisations, tried my hand at a PhD and I was seconded to a municipality while working at my current employer, a consultancy company.”
And what is your current job?
“Currently, I am a soil consultant and mainly focus on soil contamination. I set out field surveys to determine the extent and possible risks of soil contamination and give advice on how to remove those risks best. We are also involved in policy making for the government for, for example, PFAS, drug waste and groundwater management plans.”
Is this what you always wanted to be? Why/why not? What has changed?
“I don’t think I ever had a “dream job”, growing up. I just wanted to pursue subjects I found interesting, and during my studies, I slowly fell in love with soil chemistry and biodegradation of soil contamination.”
What are your future goals?
“I would like to focus on keep doing things I enjoy. I’m not one to dream of CEO titles or anything, I just want to have a job that I enjoy.”
How do you contribute to a better world with your job? What role did studying in Wageningen have to achieve this?
“Remediating soil contamination speaks for itself, I think. But less obviously, I think contributing to national policy has an even bigger impact. By regulating safe PFAS concentrations in the environment, we contribute to a safer place for both people and the planet.
Studying in Wageningen has given me a better understanding of what CAN contribute to a better environment and has made me a more earth conscious person all around.”
Choices and challenges at WUR
What choices have you made that have helped you to get where you are now?
“In my study, whenever there was a choice to be made, I would choose whatever seemed most interesting or fun to me at THAT moment. No matter if it was “good for my future” or anything, I just had the reasoning that if I always chose what interested me most at that moment, I would never do something boring. It helped me get where I am today and I still try to live by that.”
What challenges have you encountered in your previous and/or current jobs? How has studying in Wageningen helped you to overcome them?
“One of the problems I have encountered in previous jobs is just not being the right fit for the job. Either I was too bored or too stressed to be sustainable in that job. My time in Wageningen has taught me that sustainability can come in many forms, and that we are the helm ourselves to change things (jobs, in this case).”