‘It's a gift to surround yourself with ambitious people’

What does team SensUs do, exactly?

“SensUs wants to challenge student teams from across the globe to develop biosensors that can detect specific biomarkers. In my year, the challenge was to develop biosensors that could detect the influenza virus - the coronavirus' cousin - in mucus.

Throughout the year, participating student teams work toward presenting their biosensor at the SensUs event, held on the TU/e campus. Organizing this event involves a lot of work, which is what the SensUs organization does all year long. Here, it's crucial to translate the competition's social importance to the industry and students.”

Your entire year at SensUs coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. What did that mean for the team?

“Given the COVID-19 measures, the event, which usually takes place on campus, had to be entirely moved to an online platform. That meant the interaction with the participating student teams was far more impersonal than in other years. It was more challenging to engage with each other about personal experiences, developments, and student life in other countries. Hopefully, the SensUs event can be held on campus again this year.

Still, it was fantastic to be surrounded by people who are connected by the same ambition and drive to add something to the social good. That motivated me to go the extra mile and create an online event, mid-pandemic, we can be proud of.”

What did you learn from your time at SensUs?

“The team's PR group offered plenty of room for creativity and using your own initiative. I discovered a side to myself that I didn't know existed - the ability to think out of the box and to try new ways to develop new ideas and initiatives.

My participation in a student team mainly taught me how to think an idea through properly. I'm not afraid to think differently from others, as long as my idea is well-founded. I also use my acquired skills to speak enthusiastically and convincingly in front of large groups.”

How much time did you spend working as part of the team?

“On average, in a regular week, ten hours. You can combine this with full-time studies, though that requires discipline and planning. In the final weeks leading up to the SensUs event, that reached about 20 hours a week.”

Student teams use Challenge-based Learning, where multidisciplinary teams work on real-world challenges. What was that like for you?

“Each member of a team has their own specialty and talent. By working together, everyone can contribute by using that talent and, thus, developing it further. It's important that you listen to each other and trust that everyone will take their responsibility. Also, the student team must add value to the business. You have to be convincing and enthusiastic about what you do to get companies and professionals on board.”

What advice would you give students who are hesitant about joining a student team?

“It's a gift to surround yourself with ambitious people. That inspires you to become the best version of yourself and to get everything out of it in a professional sense."