‘You get the most out of your studies by joining a student team’

What does team CASA do?

“Its main goal is to accelerate the energy transition in the building sector by bringing academic and industry partners together. We did this by building a self-designed, sustainable home.”

What did you learn from your time on the team?

“I developed a broad set of skills during my time at team CASA. First, I worked on my teamwork skills, then I learned to improve my communication skills by giving presentations and pitches, writing articles, and so on.

A student team is a non-profit volunteer organization, so it's crucial to keep people motivated and involved in discussions and decision-making. The most important but toughest moment for me was starting a new project with the new board while we were still working on CASA 1.0, the team's first project. We had to find tasks that would motivate the rest of the team to begin a new project.

As a board member, you often have to do many different things. That was usually motivating and fun, but sometimes it felt like I had too much on my plate. During lockdown, I found it especially hard to disconnect from the work at hand.”

Did your time on the team help you with your future (academic) career?

“Team CASA allowed me to gain experience in a setting that resembled a real job. I met different companies, developed my soft skills, and got to know amazing people.”

Are you still in contact with (former) team members?

“For sure. The team recently organized an alumni event, and it was great to see everyone again. Plus, I'm always up for a cup of coffee on campus.”

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

“During university courses, you often have to work or give presentations in groups. But, it's only in a student team that you really develop that team spirit. I also learned to communicate in different settings and about real problems. Student teams offer a much more realistic view of what working life is like.”

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

“Joining a student team allows you to get the most of your time at  TU/e. If you're thinking of joining - do it! It's a unique experience where you can apply your knowledge to real problems. And you meet fantastic people.”