Career counsellor

I am writing this on the day that the IB results come out and students find out if they are accepted into the universities of their choice. An exciting day, especially since it marks the end of their time at Rijnlands. But how do you decide what to do for future higher education? Career events from MP4 to DP2 support the students with this decision making. This year was the first time since covid that we welcomed around 60 professionals for the DP1/5VWO/4HAVO Career Day in January. This day aims to engage pre-exam year students in conversations with panels of different field of work. The discussions on this day help the students explore what their interests are and what they could study at university. It was wonderful to welcome so many parent volunteers as panel members.

In this newsletter, you will read how the students experienced some of these career events. To name a few: MYP5 students engaged in internships as part of their World of Work Week, both in the Netherlands and abroad, DP1 visited Erasmus University in Rotterdam and MYP5 went to the Leiden University and the College in The Hague. Some DP1 students challenged themselves in PRE University Honours Programs in The Hague and TU Delft and share their learning in some personal stories.

In addition to the MYP5 and DP1 career parent evenings, we introduced a career program information evening for MYP3 and MYP4 parents in April. The aim was to introduce the curriculum and career planning from MYP3 onwards. This was well received and will be continued this year. Informing students and parents about finding the balance between keeping all future career options open and making informed choices is at the core of the career program.

I hope you enjoy reading this very first edition of the ISRLO Newsletter. I wish you a relaxing summer break.

Anne Lamers,
Career Counsellor

Britt Mannaerts – MP5 Work Experience Placement for World of Work Week – March 2023

For my World of Work Week, I went to a midwife clinic in Nieuw-Vennep nearby where I live. During this week I did various things, during which I learnt a lot about midwifery but also about myself. Throughout this week, I got to work with multiple midwives from their clinic and joined them while they had shift and meetings with clients. During their shifts we visited multiple houses to check up on the women after they gave birth and to check if everything is still okay, with them, the newborn and their recovery. At the clinic, multiple women would come in throughout the pregnancy, some in early stages, some in the middle, some in the end and some after birth. During these conversations I learnt more about the position of the baby, how to change the position, the tests which can be done throughout the pregnancy and what birth could look like.

I also saw how much pressure the midwives are under with deciding when the pregnant lady is able to give birth at home and when they would have to give birth in the hospital. This creates a big responsibility for the midwives.

After this experience, I learnt that this job really suits me and that I would like to pursue this in the future. It also taught me that it is easy to adjust a plan.

Olivia Alwayn – MP5a Work Experience Placement for World of Work Week – March 2023

My World of Work Week was a really great experience at the GGD in Amsterdam, which was organized by my friend’s parents. While I was working there, I spent two days in the Forensics department, and the other two days working at the Infectious Diseases. I found the forensics part a lot more interesting, as I was doing more hands-on work, and it was more related to what I want to do in the future. I was doing field work and really seeing what it’s like to work as a forensic doctor, and each different case that we went to made me all the more interested in this line of work. My time at the Infectious Diseases Centre was also very interesting, and mostly focused on lab work. I learned about how the department tests samples sent in for STI’s and other infectious diseases. This was also very interesting, but I do know that in the future I’d rather do field work than lab work.

Overall, I really enjoyed my work placement, and it was definitely a challenge as I had to speak to a lot of different people, in a language I was not very comfortable with, but all in all it was an experience that I am very grateful for, and something I would absolutely do again.

I wasn’t allowed to take pictures during my time at the forensic department because of privacy concerns, but attached are some pictures from the lab!

DP1 Careers Day- June 9 2023

The aim of the Careers Day is to provide DP1 students relevant information regarding what to expect in DP2, applying to University and considering on taking a gap year. All these topics are covered by workshops, several of them supported by ISRLO Alumni, such as Leon Joly (alumni 2021) who is currently on a gap year and will be heading to Loughborough University (UK) in September. These workshops were followed by a presentation on CV and Interview Skills, given by Salma de Graaff, Chief Human Resource Office, Skyscanner. The day was completed with a visit to Erasmus University, Rotterdam for a tour of the university and a presentation from the university ambassadors on the English speaking courses offered at Erasmus.

Forthcoming Events

DP2/HAVO5/VVO6/TTO6 – Careers Day with Professionals, Thursday 5 October 2023

This successful annual event is organised as the next chapter in these students’ career, which means preparing for life after the Rijnlands. The day is aimed to inspire students to learn about careers they so far had not thought about. Or it may inspire them to work hard to do whatever they have already decided. Thanks to the support of parents and friends who offer their experience and advice in their chosen profession. They can provide the answers to many of the questions the students may have on deciding which career path to take or a variety of career paths! The continued support from professionals and organisations makes this an important date in the DP2/HAVO5/VVO6/TTO6 students diary.

MP5 – A busy year!

MP5 students have a very busy year with additional programmes to their curriculum such as

Morrisby Psychometric testing and follow up interview with a Morrisby Counsellor in January
A 4 day work experience placement followed by a trip to a University Campus
A Career afternoon to talk to DP students about the Diploma Programme subject choices, alternatives to DP
Interview with the Careers Counsellor
Choosing a subject package for the Diploma Programme