SPIE INTERVIEW EN

1. 28-year-old Hugo Schoenmaker, from the Netherlands, is spending six months
in the UK as part of a two-year graduate programme for young managers.
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INTERVIEWS
WITHOURSO SPIEPEOPLE
“I was sent
six months on
assignment
in the UK”
Why did you decide to join SPIE?
HugoSchoenmaker:I completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Delft University, which
I followed up with a Master’s degree in Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics. I chose that
field because I feel many engineers focus on the details instead of learning to combine different
disciplines. For me, the most interesting thing is connecting the dots. When SPIE contacted
me via LinkedIn in 2017, I had to Google the name because it was unfamiliar! However, I quickly
realised that the opportunity was ideal for me because I could work in a number of different
areas through the graduate programme and further develop myself as much as I can.
How does that scheme operate?
H.S.: We complete four assignments of around six months each, fulfilling different functions in
different departments. I’m lucky enough to have been able to do an exchange with someone in
the UK, so I’m now spending six months with teams delivering projects for a leading player in
the aviation industry. It has been a terrific experience.
What does a typical day consist of?
H.S.: There is an excellent relationship between SPIE and this client but we are trying to improve
some of the processes. I spend half of each day working with local teams, but for the other
half-day I am on the sidelines, observing the processes and suggesting ways of making
improvements.