The twenty-minute speed dates are a way for companies to find out whether or not there’s a click with the student. Juul Diks, an Embedded Systems student, is relaxed, especially after his interview. “It was more fun than I’d expected. We had mutual interests and a lot of interaction. This first talked has washed away my fear for the next interview with Omron.”

Most students have an interview with one of the companies, but some were selected twice or even three times. What makes them stand out? “I think it’s because of my four-year work experience at Philips India”, says the Indian Hilda Fabiola Bernard, master student of Computer Science Engineering, and candidate for Philips, FEI, and ASML. She moved to Eindhoven after having completed her bachelor’s. After graduation, she’d like to stay in the Netherlands and work for Philips again. For that to happen, it’s important the interview goes well, so she’s a little nervous. “If you really want something, you’re more anxious.”

There are many foreign students who want to boost their Dutch career tonight. According to Jos van Erp, representative of priority area High tech Systems and Materials at High Tech NL, that’s a good thing. “It’s important to reel in international talent, because the Netherlands just lacks science and engineering students. An event like this one is a great way to connect students and the industry, and right now TU/e is at the forefront of this development.”

Company representatives saw lots of potential they’d like for their own. It was “a wonderful surprise” for Roland Poesen, TU/e alumnus and founder of Enter, an employment agency for skilled engineers. “The three students I talked to know what they want, have great communicative skills, and willing to go the extra mile. It’s exactly what I’m looking for.” Poesen wants to provide that extra mile by offering training, and going behind the scenes at projects and internships.

The companies will contact the selected students shortly. The event will probably see another edition at TU/e next year. Earlier this week it was announced that at least eighteen TU/e students will receive the annual 5000-euro grant from high-tech businesses for the duration of their master’s program.