Sybren Bosch - Graduated 2015

Track: Energy and Materials

Current position:Co-entrepreneur Copper8

Can you briefly tell us what you studied (including your specialisation) and when you graduated?

I studied Sustainable Development (MSc), after a bachelor in Innovation Sciences (BSc). The specialisation of my Master's was in Energy & Materials, where I focused on circular economy in my thesis.

How has your study influenced your career path, and what role has it played in your professional development?

My study has played a vital role in my career. Every day I still look at the world through the lens of ‘sustainable development’, thinking about how we can keep our planet environmentally safe for the future of humanity – both for ourselves and the generations that follow.

Could you provide an example of a specific project or experience during your studies that significantly contributed to your growth and success in your current career?

During my studies I was a member of the Students for Tomorrow (Dutch: Studenten voor Morgen) board. This organization is a national student network working to enhance sustainability in higher education and it brought me in contact with many leaders in the field of sustainability, to whom I have spoken often in the early years of my career. In my work I still come across quite a few people whom I met during this time.

What were the key skills or knowledge you gained during your studies, and how do you apply them in your work now?

The main skill which I’m still using is the concept of systems thinking; everything being connected to everything else. If we truly want to change our world for the better, we need to understand system dynamics. Our greatest challenge for the upcoming decades is systemic change, which requires a vision on a new system, a change in the rules of the game and a shift in culture. Such systemic changes apply both within industrial sectors, such as food or construction, and across society, such as the overall functioning of our economy.

How were you able to differentiate yourself in the job market thanks to your education at our university?

To be honest: so far, my jobs have always found me. The networks from my Master's thesis and board year have been very helpful. After a short period in a start-up in consultancy with my thesis supervisor – an ideal working relationship, but starting a business proved more challenging than expected – I now work at Copper8, a circular economy consultancy focused on systemic change.

Do you have any specific memories of teachers, courses, or extracurricular activities that left a lasting impression on you?

Many! Ernst Worrell providing examples on the absolute extreme of our consumption society: a peeled, plastic-wrapped banana (“The most perfectly packed food by nature”). Robert Harmsen, always combining a theoretical background with societal developments. I’ve also had the privilege of being able to attend lectures by Herman Wijffels, now retired, on his experiences in the dynamics between government and business in relation to sustainable development.

Can you share a moment when you encountered challenges during your studies and how you dealt with them?

In a consultancy project with an external client – Waternet – our results did not meet their expectations. I remember going to their office with a fellow student from our group. By simply going there and talking the entire project through, the relationship was restored. That fellow student is still a friend, and although working at a different company, we work together regularly.

How has your study at our university contributed to your personal growth and development, alongside your professional success?

During my studies, I realised I have a passion for getting things done. Beyond simply studying, I have been involved in amongst other things, the Green Office to make the university more sustainable. I remember doing calculations on replacing regular lighting with LEDs, to be able to discuss the business case (including avoided carbon emissions!) with the UU sustainability manager.

Would you recommend other prospective students to pursue the same programme?

Today’s world faces a number of global challenges. Developing our economy and society to be able to thrive within the physical boundaries of our planet is one of those. With a background in sustainable development, I have experienced that I am able to look to our world and society in a more systemic, more holistic perspective. I truly believe that this perspective is essential in tackling the global challenges that we face, both today and in the decades to come.

What advice would you like to give to current students?

Truly understanding the magnitude of the ecological crises we are facing – climate change, biodiversity – can be overwhelming, but understanding what needs to be done and being able to translate that into actions, is a role which our world desperately needs. I am not optimistic that these issues will solve themselves, but I am hopeful on what is possible if an increasing group of young people works together to change society for the better.