From Windesheim to working in renewable energy

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

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Making the leap from student life to the working world is a real change. Alexandra, a recent Global Project and Change Management graduate from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands), shares how she’s finding her way in the new environment with help from her solid base gained at Windesheim. Now a Project Manager at Vestas, a leader in wind turbines, she offers her experiences, insights, and advice. Vestas, a Danish company, is a global leader in wind turbine production and construction. It has a significant presence across multiple countries, including Germany, where she is currently based.

A typical week at work

Her role at Vestas involves planning the construction process of wind turbines, which includes planning timelines of the execution phase and managing construction budgets. “Once a sales opportunity comes in, I’m involved with planning the project from a construction perspective before it gets executed. That entails the timeline, resource availability and construction costs”.

A typical week includes managing multiple projects. “I have a specific number of projects assigned to me. They are at various stages of the sales process and will be realized in the coming years. We’re always planning far ahead.” Collaboration is key in her role. “I’m working together with different departments such as supply chain, sales, transport and project execution. Since it is a project management role, you really have to collaborate with a lot of different stakeholders. That is one of my favourite parts of the job!”

Alignment with education

When asked if her current role aligns with the education she received at Windesheim, she responds, “Partially yes, partially no.” Global Project and Change Management (GPCM) prepared her well in terms of professionalism and independent working. “You learn how to communicate effectively with clients, how to write reports, how to write professional emails, and set up meeting agendas. These are basic things, but it’s what you do on a day-to-day basis later in your job.”

Teamwork, a key element of the programme, also proved invaluable. “Since I’ve always worked in teams during my studies, I was very proactive and not afraid to engage with other people or to ask for specific information when I was new.”

She does point out some gaps, particularly in financial management. “We had some economic classes, such as accounting and international business. However, when it came to creating specific and detailed budgets, I wasn’t super prepared for that.” Still, she sees this as an opportunity to learn on the job, understanding that no graduate starts at a company knowing everything or being prepared for every task.

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Why Global Project and Change Management?

Given the chance to start over, would she choose the same educational path? “Yes, 100%,” she affirms. Before enrolling in Global Project and Change Management, she studied law in Germany but found it lacking in fulfilment. “I always wanted to do something justice-driven or something good for the environment. I had to learn that law wasn’t for me.”

Global Project and Change Management at Windesheim offered a stark contrast to her law studies, with its emphasis on teamwork and a close-knit learning environment. “What I really liked about this programme, and generally studying at Windesheim, was that you have such a close relationship with the lecturers and your peers. It was always very welcoming to be interactive, to express your thoughts and work as part of a team.”

Advice for future graduates

Her advice for those currently considering Global Project and Change Management: “It’s a good programme if you like teamwork and are interested in sustainability and inequality topics, as well as engaging with different cultures and characters.” She emphasizes the importance of not feeling pressured to have everything figured out. “It’s okay to not know what you want to do. Sometimes people put pressure on you that you need to know and have your future figured out. Trust me, you don’t. It’s okay to take a step in the right direction, rather than landing your dream job right after graduation.”

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