Where do you work now and what does your job entail?
I am now active disclosure coordinator at the Ministry of Finance, Directorate General of Customs. I coordinate the implementation of the Woo (Open Government Act). The Act aims to make governments more transparent and should ensure that government information is more findable and exchangeable. Open government is essential in a democracy, journalists and citizens have a right to information. Setting up our organisation that this is done properly and efficiently is my current job.
Why did you choose to work in this field?
After studying Political Theory, I became a trainee at the Province of North Brabant. In two years, I got to know local government (municipality, province and water board). I found and still find it fascinating what role local government plays. Public transport, agriculture, environment, safety, so much happens! Working in public administration is great, there are complex issues, many stakeholders with different interests and in many places the concept of ‘power’ comes into play. A concept that is looked at from all sides in the Master's of political theory.
What did you learn during your studies that you now use in your work?
What I liked about Political Theory as a Master's was its normative nature, how should something be. In an administrative environment, this question always hangs over the heads of administrators: how do we want to shape our society and what conditions must it meet. In the Political Theory lectures, some important concepts for this are discussed. During the Master's, you write a number of lively papers and, of course, a nice thesis, which helps you to reason clearly and defend your views in a well-founded way. In my previous job, I was an administrative adviser, first to a member of the Provincial Executive and later to a state secretary. In that role, you provide an administrator with information, but I also found it important to regularly contradict an administrator or hold up a mirror to him or her. Discussions with fellow students about concepts such as justice, power and populism give you, as a young civil servant, the baggage you need to be able to contradict administrators. There are plenty of people walking around a town hall, county hall or ministry who are only too happy to do exactly what a director asks. Especially in such an environment, a critical political scientist who dares to contradict is of great value.
As a secondary occupation, I write articles for various gardening magazines and the occasional gardening book. I am convinced that writing quite a few papers has really enhanced my writing skills. Gardening and politics also have a lot in common; the garden at Versailles is solely meant to exude power. More recently: in a photo of the G8 summit (if taken outside), a perfect lawn is never far away.
How did you experience this programme at uu77?
The Political Theory programme is characterised by its small scale, good and frequent contact with the professors. I have always felt very connected. I have also always found writing papers very useful and the skill of putting something clearly on paper is indispensable in public administration.
What advice do you have for students choosing a Master's programme?
Study what you find interesting. Don't stare blindly at the profession that comes next, employers are looking for interesting people who have something to offer and as a Political Theory student, you will have nice baggage for a great career. And don't forget, it's all about power.