黑料福利网

You have your degree in your hands and full of energy you step onto the career path. But how do you make the right choice within the endless possibilities that stretch out before you? Do you automatically follow the most obvious path or do you dare to take a surprising turn after a while? 

Both their signatures are engraved in the windows of Alumni Avenue, one below the other. Grandson Sander van Eck (27), completed his studies in Industrial Design in 2022, and grandfather Hans van Eck (87), graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1965 from the then newly established Technische Hogeschool (TH). Senior ran an engineering firm until his retirement, but later also worked as an expert, arbitrator, and judge. Junior started a start-up a year and a half ago, but also works as a model. Three generations of engineers: Peter van Eck鈥擲ander's father and Hans' son鈥攚as not accepted at 黑料福利网 and studied Business Administration with a background in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Twente. Two 黑料福利网 alumni, grandfather and grandson, both deviated from the beaten path and talk about their surprising career paths. 

Passion for building 

His grandfather listens with a smile as Sander recounts how he almost chose to study Mechanical Engineering. 鈥淚've always had a passion for building things. I often played with a toolbox my grandfather made for me. I was always busy putting things together and taking them apart, first with toy tools and later with real ones.鈥� But he still chose Industrial Design because 鈥渋t offered more scope for entrepreneurship and creativity,鈥� according to Sander. 鈥淏ut,鈥� he continues via a Zoom meeting on his laptop, 鈥渋f I ever decide to study something else in the future, I would definitely want to do something related to Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. I still think that would be really fun.鈥� 

Fascination 

Sander's early interest in technology runs in the family. His grandfather Hans also had this interest in technology when, as a boy during the war, he devised ways for his mother to heat the house. 鈥淚 mainly wanted to use technology to solve problems, and my fascination lay mainly in the technology itself, even more than in its application. I also took everything apart and put it back together again because I wanted to understand how things worked. So there was never any doubt that I would go into engineering,鈥� he says at home in Leende. That's why, in 1958, he chose to study mechanical engineering at the newly founded Technical University in Eindhoven. 鈥淣o, I've never regretted it,鈥� he says, looking back. 鈥淏ut it was very tough, because the first three years were all about math and mechanics. It actually had very little to do with mechanical engineering. That came later.鈥� 

Turning point 

His grandfather ran an engineering firm specializing in installations and energy for many years, but his work as an expert for a court and arbitration institutes turned out to be 鈥渢he best thing he ever did.鈥� 鈥淎t the request of both parties, you determine who is responsible for a machine not working or not working properly. In practice, that means trying to find out what is wrong and/or why it is wrong. The result of the arbitrator(s)' findings is a ruling that both parties must comply with. Usually there is a technical cause, but sometimes there is also a legal aspect. But I enjoyed the technical aspect of it, figuring out why the machine wasn't working and trying to understand it,鈥� he explains his interest in this field. 

Lifelong Learning 

After gaining expertise in this field, he decided to study law at the Open University after working at his engineering firm. 鈥淚 wanted to fully understand the legal aspect of why I was signing a ruling. Another reason was that a second title, as a master's degree, would allow me to better profile myself as an engineer.鈥� After completing his law degree, he also worked as a judge in the courts of Arnhem and Roermond. 鈥淎ctually, I enjoyed this study more than mechanical engineering,鈥� he admits with a smile. 鈥淏ut I could never have done this study first, this was the right order and it's a unique combination.鈥� 

Outdoor sports 

Sander has been living happily in Northern Ireland for years now, in what he describes as 鈥渁 great location, both in terms of nature and business, because there's a great climate for start-ups here. 鈥楢nd when the waves are good, I go surfing. If not, I enjoy playing golf,鈥� he says. He once went abroad for a semester between his bachelor's and master's degrees and was there when the coronavirus outbreak started. He then completed his entire master's degree online from abroad and defended his thesis from his living room. As an avid surfer, he earned his living for a few years maintaining, repairing, and designing surfboards. 鈥淒uring the lockdown, there was a great need for outdoor sports, so my business suddenly grew rapidly, but that wasn't really what I was looking for. I wanted more of a challenge and to do something I really enjoy. I also wanted to keep surfing as a hobby,鈥� he explains why he decided to end this business. 

Design process 

His decision to focus on developing waterproof socks arose from his interest in outdoor sports, something he enjoys doing frequently. 鈥淲hen I noticed that my feet often got wet, even with so-called expensive waterproof shoes, I started to investigate this further. That's how I started to develop the product, first for walking, hiking, and running, but now there are many other applications, such as military use.鈥� That growth potential makes him very enthusiastic. 鈥淚 applied the entire design process I learned at Industrial Design: from market research and product development to putting the product on the market. So basically from start to finish. I really enjoyed that and still do,鈥� he says enthusiastically about his young company. 

Model 

When Sander regularly did unpaid modeling work through his surfing connections, he more or less 'accidentally' became a professional model. 鈥淚 did assignments on a regular basis, and after modeling for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board once, I was offered a modeling contract.鈥� The income from this goes directly into his company's marketing budget. In addition, he gained enough knowledge of photography during the photo shoots to now take his own advertising photos with his own camera. He explains: 鈥淚 think it's important to acquire skills myself so that I can maintain a good overview and control over my business and the processes as my company grows. If I ever hire staff, I'll know enough to explain what I have in mind. What's more, I earned back the cost of my camera and computer within the first two weeks.鈥� 

Developments 

鈥淚 see something of myself in this,鈥� says his grandfather. 鈥業t seems to run in the family, because I always wanted to do everything myself. That way, you know exactly how it's done.鈥� 鈥榊es,鈥� says Sander, who sees his grandfather as a great sparring partner. 鈥滲ut I also inherited your entrepreneurial spirit. That means I can share a lot with you and learn from you. If something new happens in my business or if I run into a problem and am unsure whether I'm doing the right thing, you tell me that you've encountered those problems too, and that I should just keep going and I'll get through it.鈥� 鈥業 call myself actively passive,鈥� the senior responds with a laugh. 

Referee 

To his regret, Hans had to stop working as a judge, expert, and arbitrator at the age of 70, but he discovered that there is no age limit for lawyers. However, after being sworn in, this role did not suit him. 鈥淚n the judiciary and arbitration, you play the role of referee. Now I suddenly had to stand up for one party, sometimes against my sense of justice. That didn't suit me,鈥� he explains his decision to step away.  
He currently enjoys providing legal advice to the on donations and contracts, the subject of his thesis at the Open University. 鈥淚t's always a warm welcome when I arrive, and I like to make myself useful,鈥� he says, explaining his involvement.