Who are you?
My name is Mariska, I grew up in a small village on the coast of the North Sea, called Wijk aan Zee. Later I moved to Haarlem, fell in love with the city and never left. Now I’m lucky that I live close to Techspire’s office and I can cycle to work!
What would you like people to know about you?
After graduating from high school, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my future. So I did the best thing you can do: travel. Australia and Indonesia became my short-term future. When I came back I studied human resource management. The combination of people and business appealed to me. I believe that people can make or break the success of an organization. After my studies I didn’t want to start my career in HR immediately. There was a bucket list, in my head, of jobs I wanted to experience for a short period. So I became a tour guide in Greece for a while and flew as a flight attendent for an airline company. Eventually I started my career in HR/Officemanagement. What I really like about this job is the diversity. In addition to the ongoing business, there are always suprising tasks that come your way.
Do you have a life motto? what is it?
If I should pick one: Better an ‘Oops’ than a ‘what if’. Sometimes you gotta take the leap, despite not knowing the outcome. Indeed, sometimes it fails. But that doesn’t outweigh the fantastic things you can experience by daring!
How are you surviving in this corona-time?
Actually pretty oké. Of course I missed the hugs and the social events! But it also brought some peace in a way. But let it be clear that I am really happy that the 1.5 meters is no longer needed and that we can be together with friends and family. Something very normal that was no longer so normal, I appreciate it all the more!
Do you have interesting hobbies?
I like to run by myself with music (although I have to admit that sometimes there can be some periods without doing that). I like inline skating in Spaarnwoude, if the weather is good. And a few weeks ago I went ‘stand up paddling’, that was fun. Besides that I am always in for board games! And netflix, if watching series is a hobby.
Any bloopers in the past you would like to share?
Enough bloopers for me! One I remember well is that my shoe fell under a train. I was on my way to work, in an airline uniform, when I wanted to get on the train. As I walked in, one of my heels fell under the train. Of course I couldn’t go to work with just one shoe, but I couldn’t lie down under the train either (especially if no one knows). Luckely I stood out because of my uniform and a group of people and the train driver came to help me. In the end the train was delayed, someone had to get under the train and there was (maybe somewhat sarcastic) clapping when I walked into the train with both my shoes.
With what it problem should the person who read this, contact you immediately, as you cannot wait to solve it?
I advise you not to contact me.. You’ll have better luck if you call one of my colleagues I think! I am not one of the briljant IT problem solvers myself.
Tell us any (weird) fun fact about you?
- When I grew up I had a geckos! (lizards). Geckos eat crickets. So I regularly bought bowls of crickets. One time, I dropped the bowl of crickets and they where jumping all over the house!
- I love Italian food. And Greek food! We live next to a greek restaurant, and we might be there just a little too often.
- I am always curious about the story behind someone.
Why do you (want to) work for Techspire?
It is a young company with ambition and professional colleagues. During the first weeks that I now work here, I have experienced a very nice atmosphere. There is a lot of freedom and trust in eachother. There is a good team spirit! It is also an interessting phase as we can welcome many new colleagues in the coming period. Looking forward to it all.
