Alumni Week: What if careers don't follow a script?
Tuesday 6 October | 19:00-21:00 | VOX-POP
- Date
- 6 October 2026
- Time
- 19:00 -21:00
- Location
- BG 3
- Room
- VOX-POP
Want to join? Sign up here straight away!
Every career follows its own path. At this Career Event, you will hear personal stories and gain practical tips on navigating the Dutch job market. Whether you are a student or recent graduate, international or Dutch, you will get inspired and discover that every career path is unique.
Speakers
Jort Wildschut studied Economics and Business Administration (BSc) at the University of Amsterdam. He is co-founder of SEA Water, a company that turns seawater into drinking water using renewable energy. He is also co-owner of Wolfstreet, an Amsterdam-based creative & production agency creating campaigns and visual content for brands such as Vinted, Picnic, Adyen and ASML.
Rakesh Kanhai studied MA New Media (Media Studies) at the University of Amsterdam. He works as a teacher at the Herman Brood Academie, Mediacollege Amsterdam and the Academy for Theatre & Dance. Besides this, he is founder of creative agency Prestige Worldwide that makes award-winning live performances and productions. Rakesh is also co-owner of Papa Aswa restaurant.
Damla Kartal studied Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam. After leadership roles at Amazon and Wehkamp, she returned to her family business, totaalBED, where she is Marketing Director. In 2026, she published her first book, Het Lef om te Doen, about mindset, courage and taking ownership of your career. She regularly shares insights on leadership as a speaker, moderator and podcast host.
Tahrim Ramdjan (1998), from Amsterdam, is a journalist, author, and public speaker. He holds a law degree specializing in constitutional and administrative law from the UvA and works as a reporter and opinion editor/coordinator for Het Parool. For one month each year, he teaches journalism at the UvA. In 2025, he was nominated for the De Tegel and De Loep awards for his journalistic work. His debut book, What Will People Say?, about identity and intersectionality, was published in March 2025.
Siesja Kamphuis studied Psychobiology and Forensic Science at the University of Amsterdam. She currently works as an Intelligence & Investigation Advisor with the Dutch Police, focusing on quality and process improvement. In her work, she uses interaction, creativity and energy to make complex information accessible and engage people in processes of change.
