Alumni on a mission to close the pay gap
Alumni Sophie and Erwin gave up their consultancy careers to become social entrepreneurs. We talk to them about what drives them, how the College contributed to their careers and why they think so many of our alumni become entrepreneurs.
After graduating at University College Utrecht, Sophie van Gool started working at a consultancy firm in Zuidas, the business district of Amsterdam. Although she enjoyed the job, one thing just didn’t sit right with her: almost all people at the top were men. Sophie decided to resign and become a fulltime entrepreneur to focus on this national issue. Together with Erwin Hieltjes, another alumnus, she started the company Salaristijger (“Salary Tiger”) in the middle of the first lockdown. Their mission: to close the pay gap in the Netherlands.
You both started your working career at a consultancy firm and then moved on to entrepreneurship. How was the transition?
Sophie: “When we started out, our work was quite similar to the consultancy work we used to do, but without a boss, and on different topics. When you work at the Zuidas you are always helping big companies earn even more money than they already do. It was interesting in terms of content, but then came a point where I thought ‘What am I doing?’. Now I get a lot of messages from people we have helped, and that is really satisfying. We have total freedom and total responsibility. If we don’t work we don’t get paid. In entrepreneurship, you learn new things every day.”
At the University College you learn that your own perspective is limited. This insight has been incredibly valuable for my career.
How did the University College contribute to where you are now?
Erwin: “During my time at the College I participated in the UCU East Africa project and did a semester in China. It was incredibly valuable and broadened my worldview. Also, everyone at the College is incredibly smart and ambitious. If your peers apply to prestigious Master’s programmes, it makes you think you can do it too. It is really good for your self-confidence to be in such a stimulating environment.
Sophie: “The Liberal Arts and Sciences programme was perfect for me. It gave me the opportunity to combine all my interests. While at the College, I didn’t yet know where all the different courses would lead to, but now it all makes sense. For our work at Salaristijger I combine economics, statistics, psychology, and even history. I also did a minor in journalism where I learned skills that I now use to write articles about the pay gap.
Erwin: “It’s not possible to solve social problems by using only one discipline. It requires multiples perspectives. At the College you learn that your own perspective is limited. This insight has been incredibly valuable for my career.
How did you end up working together? Did you know each other during your time at the College, or did you connect afterwards?
Sophie: “Erwin was a year above me, but we were part of the same group of friends. When I was in Barcelona for my Master’s of Business Administration, a few of them came to visit me and we all ran the half marathon together. That was also where the first ideas for the company started, now three years ago.”
Erwin: “University College Utrecht gives you an incredible network. Not only do you know the people from your own year, but you just as easily connect with people that are below or above you. We still rely on this network. We often use peer feedback, and ask our network ‘What do you think this person should earn?’. Their input is very useful, as they work in so many different sectors.”
Most students are very driven and are looking for freedom and autonomy. These are also qualities that fit an entrepreneur.
Can you explain why so many alumni from the College decide to become entrepreneurs?
Erwin: “At the College you are stimulated to become an independent and critical thinker. This pushes you to think critically about the company you work for and how it could be improved. Finally you start wondering why you don’t just do it yourself.”
Sophie: “I think it is also a result of the kind of people the College attracts. Most students are very driven and are looking for freedom and autonomy. These are also qualities that fit an entrepreneur.
Erwin: “There is definitely a ‘just do it’ mentality on campus. Take an extra course, go abroad, start a company…”
Do you ever encounter resistance?
Sophie: “Definitely, mostly at trainings for organisations. A lot of the participants are older, male managers. I can already recognize the characters and know exactly when and how they will react. But there are always people who surprise me as well. It’s great when an older man suddenly turns out to be very activist and totally onboard.
Erwin: “Sophie and I have a different approach. She is a bit more activistic. I always think that change needs time. You need frontrunners and people who slowly convince the more skeptical rear guard.”
You are not your job title. You are your own person. Use all your talents to do what you like and think about what you want to contribute to.
When do you consider your mission to be accomplished?
Erwin: “When there is no more pay gap. Between men and women, but also between ethnic groups. Everyone should be paid equally for the same job. For now we focus on the Netherlands, but who knows, we might go international. We are not only interested in helping individuals but also want to raise awareness. For example, we organize sessions with different politicians in the National and European parliament, such as Vera Tax.
Do you have any advice for current students?
Sophie: “For people who are interested in entrepreneurship, I’d like to say: your time at college is a great time to start experimenting. There are a lot of things you can already test and try out at the College.”
Erwin: “Often students are nervous to make the wrong decision about their first job or further study. They think they are making a choice for life. That’s not the case. Just go ahead an start the job, learn from it, and when you feel like you want to do something else, move on. You are all very smart and very young. You are not your job title. You are your own person. Use all your talents to do what you like and think about what you want to contribute to.”
Sophie: “You can have many different careers. Choose something you like now, and the rest will follow”.
Do you feel inspired by Sophie and Erwin? Find more information about life after University College Utrecht here.
Check out the upcoming Salaristijger webinar ‘Onderhandelen voor studenten & starters’ on 18 March 2021. Follow Salaristijger to learn about their latest developments. Sophie also makes a podcast ‘I’m speaking’ and is a columnist at Het Financieele Dagblad.