At Volantess, we work with people who take initiative, embrace challenges and enjoy using their expertise to move projects forward. Our new colleague Babette Adriaans (27) is a perfect example. After gaining several years of experience in civil engineering, she decided to take a new step in her career. As a junior project manager and junior real estate developer, she now combines her technical knowledge and hands-on approach in the world of real estate development. Who is Babette, what drives her and what are her ambitions for the future?
Always on the move
Sitting still isn't really Babette's thing. Living in Helmond, she enjoys variety, new challenges and keeping herself busy. Outside of work, she loves staying active. From CrossFit and running to motorcycling, wakeboarding and snowboarding. She also enjoys exploring new places, whether it's a city trip, a motorcycle weekend or an adventurous backpacking holiday. “I'm always on the go. I like having a hundred things happening at once, and when I set my mind to something, I give it my all,” she explains. And relaxing on the sofa in front of the television? That's not really her style. “In fact, I don't even own a TV!”
A new direction built on solid experience
Babette's interest in engineering and construction began at an early age. She once dreamed of becoming an architect, but eventually chose to study Building Engineering, followed by Civil Engineering at HAN University of Applied Sciences in Arnhem. Alongside her studies, she gained practical experience as an assistant site manager at BMV and Stam + De Koning, before working as a civil construction site manager at Dura Vermeer. There, she contributed to major infrastructure projects, including the A16 Rotterdam and PHS Nijmegen.
Although she thoroughly enjoyed working on construction sites, Babette eventually started thinking about her long-term future. “Working on site teaches you so much about engineering, leadership, teamwork and decision-making. But I also started asking myself whether this was still what I wanted to be doing in five or ten years.” Through Volantess, she discovered the world of real estate development and project management. A field where she could put her technical background to good use while taking on exciting new challenges.
Bringing everything together
Today, Babette works at Volantess as a junior project manager and junior real estate developer. Together with her colleague Sasja, she is involved in De Leyhoeve in Vught, a large-scale project that is approaching the construction phase. “I work on a wide range of construction-related and technical matters, coordinating with the different parties involved. One moment I'm dealing with contracts or interior finishes, and the next I'm looking into a technical challenge. That's exactly the variety I enjoy.”
What Babette particularly enjoys is keeping an overview and bringing different disciplines together. “I get energy from connecting all the dots. Organising, coordinating and making sure things actually move forward.” She also appreciates the transition to a smaller team. “You get a lot of responsibility and a real sense of ownership. From the very beginning, I've felt comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions and taking initiative. That really suits me.”
Looking ahead, Babette has a clear goal: to keep learning, broaden her knowledge of real estate development and gradually take on more responsibility. “I want to gain a deeper understanding of how projects are managed from a developer's perspective and continue growing professionally.” And her ultimate ambition? “To one day develop my very own ‘Leyhoeve’. That would be an incredible achievement.”