Sjoerd - Geo-information intern
A fellow student pointed me in the direction of the water board. I studied social geography at the University of Groningen and am now pursuing a master's degree in geo-information management at Utrecht University. I didn't know much about water, but I wanted to gain experience in the public sector. When I looked at the website, I saw a number of interesting internships. I applied and eventually started working on a GIS analysis for Noorderzijlvest.
‘It’s great to make your own cards’
Geography and data
GIS stands for geographic information system. This system makes it possible to manage, analyze, and share various data with others. Geography and location are important starting points for data integration. Sharing data via an up-to-date map makes complex data more visible.
A water board has a wealth of information at its disposal. For example, about waterways, ditches, rivers, water levels, water quality, pumping stations, bridges, locks, and dikes. I contributed to the automation of the GIS analysis that precedes a water level decision. Such an analysis serves, among other things, as a basis for water level management. Why is a higher or lower water level chosen? This balancing of interests is relevant for nature organizations and farmers.
I hope the information keeps the fields wet and the feet dry.
I also made an inventory of objects, how much water surface area there is in the management area, which areas are of archaeological interest, and what the situation is with regard to greenery, soil subsidence forecasts, and engineering structures such as weirs and culverts in the Noorderzijlvest working area. All this information is now automatically processed into reports.
Reports of water levels that are too high or too low now automatically appear with the postal code in the Join case management system. This allows you to immediately identify the origin of the reports. I have also created maps that use color codes to indicate whether water management in an area is adequate, or whether it is too dry or too wet. GIS offers many possibilities for effectively combining data.
Warm welcome
I grew up in Amsterdam, but I've been living in Groningen for six years because I could study what I wanted here. I like it in the north and also at the water board. I received a warm welcome and my colleagues are very supportive. They give me a behind-the-scenes look and I'm learning a lot. It's also a very pleasant place to work. I often share a room with other young people, we eat sandwiches together at noon, and fun activities and get-togethers are organized outside of work. I think it would be exciting to continue with geo-ICT. And if I get the chance, I would like to stay here after my internship.
Will you choose water work too?
We work together to achieve the right water balance. But we believe that a good work-life balance is just as important!Withus, you can combine meaningful work with job satisfaction and good employment conditions.
