Read Elvira's experience

Elvira started as a flexible worker and is now a panel builder mechanic and assistant tester. She has been working at Elektro Internationaal since 2020.

What is your background / what education have you completed?

I completed the bachelor's degree in Health & Society at Wageningen University. During this program, I worked as a flexible worker at Elektro Internationaal. A friend worked at EI as a holiday worker and convinced me to apply as well. I hesitated for a moment because I had little technical experience and thought that electrical engineering was only for men, but the opposite turned out to be true, and I felt welcome and at ease from day one.

When I completed my bachelor's degree, I faced the choice of continuing to study health sciences or working full-time at EI. Because I really enjoy the atmosphere and the work at EI, I chose the latter option. Soon after I started working full-time at EI, I got the opportunity to study part-time HBO Electrical Engineering through the company. I am now in my second year and really enjoying it!

What do you do at EI and how do you like it?

As a flexible worker, I mainly focused on serial assembly work, but I quickly got opportunities to try new things. I am now a technician and build distribution panels together with one or more colleagues.
Additionally, I am an assistant tester, which means that during busy periods I help the testing department with, among other things, testing panels and setting up circuit breakers. I go to work with pleasure every day, and the days fly by. It is a good combination of camaraderie with colleagues, opportunities to take on challenges under good guidance, and satisfaction from actually creating a beautiful product that helps society and individual companies move forward.

How do you experience the work and the atmosphere?

I especially like the variety of tasks and working conditions. Because the panels we build are diverse and complex, there is a wide range of tasks that can be performed. One day I am setting up a control system, the next day bending thick copper rails, and the following day setting up power circuit breakers using a software package. That, combined with a lot of fun in the workshop and opportunities to learn new things, makes the work really enjoyable.

How do you see the future within EI?

Initially, I want to further develop myself in the position(s) I currently have. I get a lot of satisfaction from understanding the exact workings of the systems and being able to come up with new solutions or improvements compared to the current way of working. In recent years, I have already learned a lot, but there is much more to learn. Additionally, I would like to guide more (apprentice) technicians or interns and enthuse them about the profession.
Perhaps in the future, after completing my HBO, I can take on an office role, but I hope to build many more beautiful panels first!

Will you be Elvira's new colleague? Check the job openings.