Ditiosi Speaks: Maik Oosterveer

Maik, could you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Maik. I’m 29 years old and was born and raised in the most beautiful city behind the dunes: The Hague. That’s where I earned my bachelor’s degree in International Business Management, with a minor in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

After graduating, I worked in the fuel industry for two years as a Fuel Performance Consultant/Specialist. At some point, I realized I was ready for something new. That search eventually led me to Ditio.

How did you end up at Ditio?

My first encounter with Ditio was at the Career Fair. There, I got to talking with the management and was eventually persuaded to stop by for an interview. The promise that a beer would be waiting for me at the headquarters might have helped a little, too.

Both sides were pleased with that conversation, and that's how I ended up at Ditio and got started in the Talent Program.

What role do you fulfill at Ditio?

I started as a Junior Project Controller and, from that role, continued to develop my skills in the area of planning.

My first assignment was at Cosun Beet Company. There, I worked as a planner on a program designed to provide insight into and track capacity within the engineering portfolio.

After that, I started working at Damen Shiprepair. Here, I work as a planner on the project for the maintenance and upkeep of the Dutch naval vessel HNLMS Karel Doorman. In such a large-scale project, good planning helps coordinate work, capacity, and progress, and keeps everything organized.

What makes your work so enjoyable?

For me, it’s mainly the combination of interesting projects and the variety of working across different organizations and sectors. You continue to grow professionally and are constantly faced with new challenges.

In addition, Ditio itself plays an important role in this. I get along well with both management and my coworkers. I really appreciate the flat, informal culture where everyone is there for one another. I also enjoy seeing my coworkers at the parties and the Bright Nights events organized every quarter.

What is the most fun project you've done at Ditio? 

For me, that has definitely been my current assignment at Damen Shiprepair so far. I've been interested in military technology since I was a kid, and I even tried to join the Air Force at one point.

The fact that I now get to contribute, as a planner, to the maintenance and preservation of the HNLMS Karel Doorman makes the project especially interesting to me. My personal interest and my profession come together beautifully here. That makes this, without a doubt, my favorite assignment so far.

What does the Talent Program entail?

When I started at Ditio as a junior, I joined the Talent Program along with several other Junior Project Controllers. There, we were trained in various aspects of project management, such as planning, cost control, and risk management. We also learned how to use the software employed in these fields.

That initial period laid a solid foundation before I started my first assignment. Moreover, the Talent Program doesn’t end as soon as you start working for a client. It’s designed to help you continue developing yourself and further build your skills as a Project Controller.

Would you recommend the Talent Program?

For me, the Talent Program laid a solid foundation for my first steps in project management. As a junior, you get the chance to first familiarize yourself with various aspects of the field and the associated systems before applying that knowledge in practice.

At the same time, you continue to learn as you work on your assignments. It was precisely that combination of a solid theoretical foundation and practical experience that helped me discover where my interests and strengths lie within project management.

What is a memorable moment within your career at Ditio?

For me, there isn't necessarily one moment that stands out above all others. What makes my time at Ditio particularly memorable is the combination of interesting assignments and the moments spent with my colleagues.

The parties and Bright Nights are good examples of this. You spend a lot of time working on-site at clients’ locations, so moments like these are a great opportunity to see your colleagues again, share experiences, and enjoy a fun evening together.

How do you envision your future at Ditio?

I look forward to continuing to develop myself at Ditio, and I'm especially curious to see what projects will come my way in the future.

My current project in shipbuilding and defense aligns well with my personal interests, so I would definitely be interested in continuing to grow in that area. At the same time, I’m also open to exploring a completely different industry. That variety and the opportunity to keep learning make it exciting for me to see what my next steps at Ditio will be.

Would you like to achieve your ambitions, just like Maik? Feel free to contact us with no obligation. We’d love to grab a cup of coffee with you! Check out our current job openings at: ditio.nl/vacatures.