In this new edition of our ‘Where are they now?’ alumni series, we speak to Jessie van Hattum (Class of 2010): climate expert, who through her freelance work hopes to inspire more people to change for the better. In this article we find out a little more about her life post-ISH and what she is up to these days.
Jessie, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what did you get up to after graduating from ISH?
My name is Jessie van Hattum, I'm Dutch and I will turn 31 later this year. I live in Amsterdam but not for long because I will be moving back to the countryside. I love the outdoors too much to be so far away from it. I guess I've always had a thing for our natural surroundings, because over the years my passion for building a sustainable future has grown enough to make it my job.
Who am I? Well, I think I'm still figuring that out. Now more than ever since I recently started to work for myself. But I guess you could say I am a curious, very energetic and determined person.
After my graduation at ISH in 2010 I studied in Delft for my Bachelors in Industrial Design. However, it was clear to me that there is enough 'stuff' in the world, just not enough 'good stuff'. So I decided to pursue two master degrees in Delft and Leiden: Industrial Ecology (a study that combines technical, environmental and social knowledge to solve complex sustainability problems) and a second master in Science Communication (how to talk about science in an effective way). With those two combined I graduated sustainable behaviour change. An endlessly interesting topic for me. And now more than ever, very relevant.
What did you enjoy most about your master degrees?
What I loved most about my masters degree is the fact that I got to learn about something really important for the future of our existence; a green and sustainable existence. I learned about sustainability from so many perspectives that I can now easily join any conversation about the topics. I learned about social, technical, environmental and future sustainability systems.
Would you recommend our students studying the same thing?
I would always recommend students to focus on studies that can add positively to our society and ecology. Why spend time taking from the planet when you can also learn how to give back?
How about after you completed your Masters? Did you know straight away what you wanted to do?
After graduation it was time to look for a job. I applied for the Albert Heijn traineeship and got in! Lucky me! Because, if I managed to change the food system there just a little bit towards a more sustainable one, the impact of such a big company would be much more than I could ever do alone. For four years I learned endless new things. I learned how to work in a large company, sell products, manage a supermarket team of 250 colleagues, and much more.
Eventually I found a job in the sustainability department. Here my passion for creating sustainable change grew even bigger. I saw what the company did, but also what the company didn't do. For me the changes were good but they did not always go fast enough and I was not learning enough anymore. It was time for me to embark on my own journey and discover new things. So, I left Albert Heijn and started as a freelancer and spent my energy on sustainability storytelling.
Through strategy development sessions with companies, creating infographics about sustainability and moderating creative sessions I hope to inspire more people to change for the better. I know people can, but they need to believe in themselves, see others do it too and feel competent enough. Because of my expertise in sustainability, I've even been on national television recently for a talk show! Never a dull moment as long as you dare to say yes to new things.
So I didn't study to become a specific thing, and I know for sure that I'm not 'there yet'. But, I am learning every day and following my interests and I'm really happy doing so.
Where did your passion for sustainability come from? Were you already active in it when you were at ISH?
I can't really recall what started my passion for sustainability. But there was no way back for me when I started seeing the possibilities that are there for a sustainable future after noticing how many things we did (and still do) that are ruining our planet. I do know that I was already busy with the topic in high school, but I really started learning more about it during university.
You say you are 'still figuring out who you are and what you want'. Is there something specific you are doing to help you discover this?
My way to discover my path is to say yes to many things that come along. So far I've been fortunate enough that by talking to many people there have always been a number of them that brought me new things to do. So I haven't had to sit still. I guess, for me, talking to people, telling my story as if it's still being written (because it is), and letting others help me has brought me the best adventures. And, maybe to add, with what I said: I don't mean that I am not yet something or someone. I am loving the becoming part of my journey, and think it's more valuable than the goal itself.
What tips would you give to our current students who are also still figuring things out?
Talk to everyone about it, let them help you further, but always keep making your own decisions. You are allowed to have dreams and follow them. And you are allowed to disagree and go your own way. But mostly, be proud of who you are.
Beautifully said! Now let’s talk a little bit about you personally. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love being outside, tinkering, drawing, giving advice to others, reading, running in the early morning and talking about sustainability.
What is your favourite book and what are you reading at the moment?
Every morning I go for a run, and then I always listen to books so I've gone through quite a bit. In terms of favourites about sustainability I was really moved by - look out: long title coming your way - 'what we think when we try not to think about global warming' by Per Espen Stoknes. The book that I am reading now is 'The good Ancestor' by Roman Krznaric. I almost always read non-fiction. An easy fiction about sustainability worth reading is (in Dutch): Het hebzuchtgas by Jan Terlouw.
When thinking back of your time at ISH, what comes to mind?
I owe a big part of my curiosity to my ISH teachers making learning fun. Of course the most defining moments were those with my friends, crushes on boys, and discovering who I was as a young adolescent.
But besides that my favourite classes were Spanish and Biology. Biology because it helped me understand and respect the world we live in. Mrs Hoogervorst always taught it so clearly and patiently. And Spanish hundred percent because of Mrs Yamul. I loved her passion for everything and all her emotions! But one teacher I also have to thank for believing in me is Mr John. He made an insecure teenage Jessie run through the school play audience with a giant paper mache drumstick screaming at the top of her lungs. I will never forget doing that. It felt amazing!
I asked Mr. John if he remembers this moment and a big smile appeared on his face! This is what he said when I asked him what he remembers from your time at ISH:
I distinctly remember Jessie coming to my drama class many years ago - quite shy and not too enthusiastic to speak English. She was never the first to volunteer to share ideas or present her sketches... until the day that all students were asked to deliver a short monologue, on the stage in the large gym. I believe it was from The Outsiders. To most, this was a daunting prospect - remembering lines, stage positions and projecting the persona of a character that happened to be a teenage rebel. Up stepped Jessie - and she completely blew everyone away. Suddenly, her Grade 7 timid self just disappeared and out popped this character who exuded confidence and artistic charm.
I was amazed! And for me, she never looked back - she was always involved in the school plays, performing wonderful characters (yes, even as a time travelling thief who happened to steal a giant dinosaur bone from a bunch of disco dancing cavemen!) and just generally being a great ISH student. She seized her opportunities then and it's clear she continues to do so.
What advice would you give to students at ISH that are passionate about sustainability?
You are right in believing in a better future. Don't try to fight people over it, try to engage people in it. Change is difficult for many people. If you are one of the brave that is willing to change the system, be proud of yourself and go for it no matter what people say. But in doing so, always listen to what others say, because what they say is often a gateway to getting them to change. Create a true story, find a community, and make positive action the easy choice.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions and telling your story Jessie. Yours is truly an inspiring one! We hope to see you at school very soon and I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.
To read more about our alumni community, please check out previously featured ISH alumni, in our 'Where are they now?' series ...
Lena Grobusch (working on climate change and environment);
Defne Gencler (Entrepreneur, Comedian, TikTok sensation);
Are you an alumni who would like to be featured? Do you know an alumni with a story we should get in contact with? Email: community.ish@atscholen.nl