Alumnus testimonial
Tessa - Corporate Governance and Legal Services, WUR
Tessa started studying human nutrition in her bachelor’s, switched to animal nutrition in her master’s to end up working in jurisdiction at WUR. Perhaps an unusual path, but according to her she is in for lifelong learning where she sees herself working for quite a while.
The research I conducted during my internship let me to be main author of a soon to be published article.
Finding the right study
"I completed my studies at WUR almost a year ago. Initially, I started studying the BSc Nutrition and Health. I found this really interesting, but I concluded that I had more affection with animals than humans. Therefore, I contacted my study adviser about the possibility of making a switch to the MSc Animal Sciences. I followed several restricted Animal Sciences courses during my bachelor's, which enabled me to study the master's without having to do a pre-master. During my bachelor’s, I wrote my thesis at the Adaptation Physiology research group on the assessment of happiness in pigs.”
Animal research during the master’s
“Animal Nutrition and Metabolism was the specialisation I chose during MSc Animal Sciences. This was the perfect transition for me from human to animal nutrition. I wrote my MSc thesis at the Animal Nutrition research group in cooperation with the University Utrecht. We researched how reducing fiber and phosphorus in a cow’s diet impacts rumination behaviour and phosphorus metabolism. The conclusion of the thesis was that short-term feeding of a low phosphorus diet does not affect milk production levels. The assumption was made, based on plasma values measured, that milk production levels could only be maintained by higher bone resorption to compensate for the low phosphorus input.”
“I completed my internship at the research group Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology in collaboration with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research located in Lelystad. During this project, I assessed the pathogenic hazards associated with utilizing human and animal excreta as fertilizer for crop production. We concluded that the measures that are set for the use of excreta as fertilizer present-day, are sufficient to safeguard the health of humans and animals. Currently, I am collaborating as the main author of a scientific paper on this subject. The paper will be published later this year.”
Working for WUR
“I chose to study Animal Sciences because of my passion for animals. Furthermore, I find it fulfilling to help other people. In my current job, I combine both my passion for nature by working for a ‘green organization’ and offering people a helping hand. For almost a year now, I have been an employee of WUR at the department Corporate Governance and Legal Services. Among other tasks, I am engaged in the law ‘Open Overheid’ and the legal protection of students. Anyone can ask for information regarding administrative matters of Wageningen University. Such a request must be processed and my role is to collect all information regarding this request. When we have gathered all the information and the Executive Board decided on the request, the information requested is published on the website to make it publicly available. I like the variety of tasks during my work week and working with friendly colleagues. Since jurisdiction was originally not my field of expertise, my job offers me a great challenge. Every day, I encounter new learning opportunities. I envision myself continuing to work here for quite some time in the future.”
Life next to work
“Next to my work life, I allocate time to writing the scientific paper on the risks posed to the use of human and animal excrement as crop fertilizer. Besides that, I like to spend my time at the stables and I have been a member of W.A.V. Tartlétos, the student athletics association of Wageningen, for many years. I did a board year and I was part of many committees. Since I have always done many activities besides studying, the switch to my work life was doable.”
Take home message
“I would like to give some advice to current students: during your MSc internship at a company or organization, actively engage with the people there. This allows you to become familiar with your future work environment and to build valuable social connections. Furthermore, take your time when applying for a job. The job market offers many opportunities, so apply for something that brings you joy and where you really envision yourself working.”