Economic Business weeks Tilburg

This week we spoke with the EBT, or Economic Business weeks Tilburg, in Associations Friday. This five-member board is already organising the 24th edition of the largest recruitment event in the south of the Netherlands. It is an understatement to say that organising this event involves a lot of work. The board has been preparing for a year. We spoke with 'Chairman' Jorg and 'Public Relations Officer' Melisa about these preparations, but also about the upcoming edition. That one is already on the doorstep. The best part? Registrations are open 'as we speak'. So what are you waiting for? Read on and find out if the EBT could be something for you! 

WHO ARE YOU?

I am Jorg van Zutphen and I am 21 years old. I studied IBA for three years at Tilburg University. At the moment I am chairman of the EBT. I've been living in a room in Tilburg for three years now and I like to cycle, ski and play football.

My name is Melisa Iriskic and I am also 21 years old. I've also studied IBA for the past three years and at the moment I'm in charge at the EBT as a Public Relations Officer, where you deal with all the marketing and communication. I have been living in my own house for three years now and I have always been very active in study associations. In my spare time, I like to catch up with friends.

WHAT IS THE EBT?

"The EBT stands for Economic Business weeks Tilburg. It is the largest recruitment event in the south of the Netherlands and therefore of Tilburg University. We try to be the link between the student and the business community. This year marks the 24th edition. Around ninety companies come to the campus to make contact with students. These companies then give presentations and workshops, but there are also 'Business Lunches', for example. This is how you come into contact with large companies, both formally and informally. We are open to all students at Tilburg University."

Melisa adds: "For companies, it is fun and valuable to get to know students. After all, they often find new employees that way. For students, it is a great opportunity to look for an internship or starter job. You can get to know many companies. We also think it is important that the somewhat younger students can orient themselves on their future."

"It's not just about looking for work or internships. We also organize the Training Day, for example, where you receive training for your soft and hard skills. That way, you can better prepare yourself for the labour market", Jorg says.

WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE?

"For the beginning student, it is mainly orientation. During your studies, you are, of course, very much involved in the books, but you do not yet really know which company suits you. If you can already taste the culture at different companies during your study phase, you will have an advantage over students who do not. Participating in the EBT, therefore, ensures that you are better prepared to make a choice between different future employers."

WHAT TYPIFIES THE STUDENT WHO PARTICIPATES?

"We see that especially many master students participate. They are, of course, a bit further on in their studies and for that reason, they are mainly looking for a traineeship or a first job. On the other hand, there are also many students who want to develop themselves for their future job or orientate on their future job. So it's twofold: the student who wants a job, and the student who wants to develop and orientate."

"Furthermore, various people participate. There are students who register for just the Business Night, for example, but there are also students who register with thirty or forty companies. Those are really very active students who want to get in touch with companies. So in that respect as well, there are two types of students."

HOW DO THE PREPARATIONS WORK?

Melisa: "Well, as of 1 July, you are officially a board member and you will present your plans. If they are approved, you will carry them out. In the first few months, the focus really is on acquisition. Around December, everything is pretty much in place. That's when we really start to put the plans into practice for the promotion period. February is promotion month and then we promote full speed for four weeks. March is all about operational matters. If all of that is in order, then April will finally be the month in which the event really happens.

HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE COMING WEEKS?

Jorg: "Yes, we are really looking forward to it of course! At the same time, it is also exciting because you do not have full control over the registration period. We try to promote ourselves as much as possible, but it is always exciting how much enthusiasm there is among students. Nevertheless, we are very much looking forward to it. Now it is starting to become concrete!

Melisa adds: "I personally really enjoy this period. That is because of the contact you have with the students. When you talk to the students, you hear all kinds of nice reactions. That is really good for us. You have been making so many plans recently and now it is becoming very 'real'. We are looking forward to the coming period with great enthusiasm.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A BOARD MEMBER OF THE EBT?

Jorg: "It is really cool to do a board year at the EBT. When I was in my first year the EBT already had a great name. At that time I already thought that if I ever get to do a year on the board, then the EBT would be a lot of fun. With this I want to emphasize that this is a really cool event to organise. You can just sign up and see 'where the ship lands'. You learn a lot: you have contact with large parties such as the university and companies. You can also really boost your skills as a planner, organiser and negotiator. Many students do not realise that this is organised by students and that all students can do this.

Melisa: "The EBT is registered as a private limited company. You are in your early twenties and you already have your own company. That is pretty cool to realise. During the day you do serious things, but there is so much space to do fun things. It is a unique management year, yet really valuable. You also expand your own network, of course, and so it is also a great opportunity for you."

Did you get curious? Then you might as well take a look on the site of the EBT!