An interview with Renze Huitema
Renze Huitema is the husband of Maartje, the father of two young children, a career hunter and a satisfied resident of Twente. As a BI consultant and Project Manager, he found the challenge and flexibility he was looking for at IT consultancy company Victa in Hengelo. Renze was first convinced that he could only make a career in the Randstad, but this was a big misconception according to him. Twente has so much to offer, both for your work and private life.
Twente youth
A piece of background: Renze was born in Monster, but raised in Twente. His mother is from Friesland, and his father's family lives throughout the country. At the age of eight, Renze left with his parents from South Holland to Twente. The family settled in Hengelo. After growing up here, Renze temporarily disappeared from Twente during his studies. He actually studied in Nijmegen. Renze soon returned to Hengelo to live with his then girlfriend Maartje. Maartje and Renze eventually got married and the family had two children, currently 1 and 3 years old. They have moved to the adjacent and quiet village of Borne. “Borne is a beautiful drop, and if I still have to go to customers in the Randstad, I'll be on the A1 in no time”. In addition to his busy work and private life, Renze still has time for one hobby, namely playing football at HVV Tubantia.
Balance work and private life
During the first years of his career, Renze worked in the Randstad for various large insurance companies, which he did from Hengelo. Of course this involved a lot of traveling. “I traveled back and forth for eight years. When I look back on that now I think yes you are completely crazy! ”. Renze no longer wanted that. The long daily travel time and having two young children made him decide to look for a new challenge in Twente. This is how he ended up at IT consultancy company Victa in Hengelo in September 2018. Renze is very happy that he has taken this step: “Sometimes I still have to drive to customers, but it is much better. Work-life balance has improved enormously ”. This decision has allowed him to find more peace and flexibility in both his work and private life.
Career at Victa
When Renze started at Victa, he wanted to learn more about IT. He wanted to gain actual knowledge of this sector, including learning the 'hard skills'. He had a great affinity with Excel. After a number of assignments as a Business Intelligence consultant, Renze quickly rolled back into his old role, namely project manager. As a project manager at Victa, Renze often works with large companies in Twente. He guides the entire process behind a project; from managing the different consultants with their own skills and expertise, to controlling the budget, results and deadlines. He also advises clients in the field of Business Intelligence. Victa provides IT services from A to Z.
Big misconception
Renze is in the right place in Twente and finds the same career opportunities that he had when he still worked in the Randstad. “So I am an example of someone who always thought that there were many more and better career opportunities in the Randstad than in Twente, so I initially chose to work in the Randstad. We also doubted whether to live there, but in the end decided not to do it because we felt really at home here. ” Renze and Maartje did not want to give up Twente. Renze's friends all live in Twente. Maartje is a real family person and would like to stay close to her parents and the rest of her family. In addition, she has a very nice job at the ROC in Almelo, which she did not want to lose.
Great in Twente
However, it was not necessary at all to leave home and hearth and go to the Randstad to make a career, Renze discovered. That is also possible here. “I've now seen both worlds, and it's not that different. There are, among others, in Enschede and Almelo very large companies with great career opportunities. So don't get stuck on it 'if I want to make a career I have to go to the Randstad', nonsense! That is not correct." Because of the work Renze does, he also has a lot to do with all these great companies. Renze would like to share this eye-opener with the rest of the world. "There are more than enough opportunities within Twente for talents from Twente!"