Who am I?
I am Raquel van Kuringe, 23 years old. I come from a small village next to Tilburg, namely Berkel-Enschot. In 2019, I started my Bachelor’s in Economics and Business Economics at Radboud University in Nijmegen. Through this program, I also lived in Canada for two years, where I completed a Bachelor of Commerce. After all these travels, I felt it was time to return to a familiar environment. In 2023, I started my Master’s in Economics at Tilburg University. That same year, I became active in Asset | Economics and joined the acquisition committee.
Why did I choose to do a board year?
To be honest, it had never really crossed my mind to do a board year until I started talking to some former board members. They thought I would be a good fit and encouraged me to seriously consider it. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that it was indeed the right step for me. I only had one course left to complete, which I could finish alongside my board year. Additionally, I saw it as a great way to develop myself professionally without the pressure of already working for a company. It also gave me the opportunity to explore potential employers. On top of that, friends of mine who had done a board year shared very positive experiences. They told me that they had formed a lifelong friend group because of the intense collaboration, which naturally strengthens the bond between members.
What does the role of External Affairs Officer entail?
The main responsibility of the External Affairs Officers is keeping the contact with partners. This is an essential task as it involves maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the association and the partners – without who the association could not operate. We always make sure to be reachable and ready to assist when needed. Throughout the board year, Externals get in contact with a lot of professionals with different backgrounds, providing valuable insights into the professional opportunities for students. This close contact opens a lot of opportunities as it develops a wide professional and social network where you get the chance to view different companies and industries from the inside. For many, this has the advantage of making it easier to choose a job in the future as you easily see what fits your personality and not.
Before each upcoming academic year, the Externals are busy with the so called ‘summer conversations’, where we visit all partners at their offices to evaluate the current cooperation, as well as discuss the cooperation opportunities for next year. In the time building up to this, the Externals prepare for cold acquisition as well, which involves reaching out to new companies for potential partnerships. During these meetings, we present the services and events we offer, trying to provide a clear picture of the benefits of a partnership.
For both types of acquisition meetings, it’s essential that the Externals listen closely to what the companies ask in order to best serve their needs and find the most appropriate solutions. Given the diversity in culture and needs between the companies, no meeting is ever the same and you will learn to adapt to the situation of every party, leading to a unique development in soft skills that undoubtedly enhances your personal development. This is something that may seem intimidating in the beginning but which you’ll learn to appreciate and love when getting to know the partners industries better.
In addition to this, Externals also run acquisition on behalf of Asset General, for which we sit in weekly meetings with the rest of the Externals of Asset. In these meetings, the Externals are the representatives of Asset | Financials and make decisions on behalf of the rest of the board. We also discuss other relevant topics concerning acquisition and partnerships.
Because of the close contact the Externals have with the partners, we are also responsible for most of the formal aspects of the association. This includes both organizing events and coordinating committees. This is to make sure the communication is as efficient as possible, avoiding the involvement of a intermediary. Externals organize the events in close collaboration with the participating partners to make sure all expectations are made and that they are kept updated about the progress of the events, or any difficulties, should they occur. These are large projects that provide great experience in planning, management, and cooperation. At times it seems challenging, but we have found it to be exciting and something to be proud of. Standing present at such an event, seeing everything you’ve worked towards unfold, is an indescribable feeling one can only experience. The events organized by the Externals include, among others, the Accounting Expedition, Finance Expedition, M&A Day, and the Economics Dinner.
Last words
A board year has many ups and occasionally some downs, but in the end, it is absolutely worth it. You get to know yourself and the people around you very well. It’s filled with incredible experiences that I will look back on for a long time. As an External Affairs Officer, this year offers the opportunity to develop your soft skills and expand your professional network. It comes with significant responsibilities, providing valuable experience that is highly appreciated by professionals. Beyond the professional growth, it also brings personal benefits, lasting memories, and strong relationships.
